Q&A / 

Septic System Design and Pumping - Simplicity Do you wonder how septic systems work? I never gave it much thought in all the years I lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. Every house I lived in was connected to a municipal sewer line. Just about every house I built I connected to a sewer line. There were […]

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Installing Plumbing Drain Pipes - It's Somewhat Easy I’ve been a master plumber since 1981. I’ve always loved doing plumbing because it’s a very interesting three-dimensional challenge when it comes to installing drain, waste, and vent (DWV) piping in a new home or a large remodeling job. Because I was also the lead carpenter and […]

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Drain Flies How to Get Rid Of - Easy! My friend Jim from Cincinnati, texted me the other day: "How do I get rid of drain flies?" I replied, "Simple..." I then outlined the steps in the text message. Here they are for you. Step 1: Remove the drain cover and use a toilet brush, […]

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How to Draw Plumbing Plans - It's Not Easy to Get Them Right You may want to know how to draw plumbing plans because: you need a plumbing permit you plan to install the pipes yourself your plumber needs the drawing and can't do it There are other reasons to draw plumbing plans, but those […]

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DIY Tile Backsplash Installation - Simple With Right Tile QUESTION: Tim, in your last column you really got me excited about creating something very unique with ceramic tile. The issue is I’m like you and have stick-people skills when it comes to artistic talent. Doing mosaic tile would be impossible for me. Is there some […]

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How To Install Mosaic Tile - Start With a Small Project QUESTION: Tim, I need your guidance. I’m want to know how to install mosaic tile. It's a floor in my new room addition. I have no clue where to start. I’ve never done tile work before. Do you think I’m crazy for attempting this? […]

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DIY Plumbing Advice - You Can Do It! QUESTION: Tim, what do you know about plumbing? I’ve got several repairs to make and I just don’t have the money to hire a plumber. The water in my bathroom vanity sink drains slower than molasses. Just a year ago, it drained really fast. Sometimes my toilet […]

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How Do Plumbing Vents Work? - They Let Air In QUESTION: Hey Tim, I had the opportunity to tour a house under construction. All of the plumbing drain lines were in, but I also saw all sorts of other extra pipes that connected to the drain pipes and eventually combined and went up through the […]

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Repair Cracked Backsplash Grout - Do It In the Winter QUESTION: Hello, Tim. I could use your help. The grout line between my kitchen granite countertop and the tile backsplash has cracked for the umpteenth time. Each winter the crack appears and each year I re-grout it hoping it will be the final time. Am […]

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"It's important to realize not all tile tents. Your tile tented because the wrong clay was used to make your tented tile." Tenting Tile Cause and Repair - Simple Physics Tenting tile is a very common problem. It happened to Kevin, one of the subscribers of my FREE newsletter. Here's what he sent to me, […]

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