Jul 28
At the Southern Homebuilding and Renovating Show last month the Tiling a Bathroom presentation was one of the most popular demonstrations. Presenter Mike Edwards of DIY Doctor took questions from the audience afterwards, and there are always questions about replacing and reseating taps.
Mike Edwards Presents at the National Homebuilding and Renovation Show
So we thought we would bring to your attention our project on repairing a dripping tap.
We also have a growing selection of video reviews on tools and other products. Here are some you might find useful if you are undertaking work in the bathroom.
Monument Tools Tap Reseating Tool, click here for full review
Monument Tools Pipe Cutter, click here for full review
Rothenberger Telescopic Basin Wrench, click here for full review
There are also videos on the site to talk you through the process of using some of these tools and repairing problems with taps, please click here to go to our video tutorials on repairing taps.
If you want more information on having your product reviewed click here
Jun 06
We have just added a new series of videos on YouTube to do with domestic water and plumbing systems within your home and how they work.
Each video shows a different aspect of a plumbing system, for example the first in the series shows you where to find the mains stop cock and how it works, as well as about different mains valves you may find:
There are also videos explaining the plumbing in your kitchen, downstairs toilet and upstairs bathroom, as well as videos explaining how the cold water tank in your home works, how hot water tanks and immersion heaters work, and how power showers work and are installed.
Each video is between three and ten minutes long. You can watch them individually or as a series to gain valuable infomation and advice to help you understand your home.
Jan 24
A case in New York state has seen a plumber convicted and sentenced to four months in prison for grand larceny in the third degree ( which is basically theft). The plumber called Jerry Cioffi was found guilty of stealing $5000 from a homeowner having been contracted to build a sewer connection from her house to a main sewer. Cioffi received a $5000 payment in April 2010 towards the $10,000 cost of the job, and the homeowner was told that the necessary permits would be obtained and work should be completed by the begining of May 2010. The homeowner was forced to contact the Department of Consumer Protection in September 2010 as no work had commenced and was told that no permits had been applied for either.
According to a report in newcity.patch.com ”Cioffi did not return the victim’s money and did not provide an accounting of the job. The defendant was prosecuted under the state’s Lien Law, which mandates that upon acceptance of money in connection with a contract for property improvement, those funds become a trust to be used for that project only. Contractors are required to keep separate ledgers for each contracted job.
By not providing an accounting of the money and not returning the $5,000 at the homeowner’s request, Cioffi violated the Penal Law and the Lien Law.”
As well as the four month sentence he will serve five years probabtion and have to pay a $1000 fine.
We think it is great news that the New York state law is coming down hard on rogue tradesmen and would like to see more stories like this in the UK!
Jan 02
With the colder weather upon us, and some parts of the country suffering more than others, householders should make sure that their pipes are insulated sufficiently. If they are not you could suffer the nightmare of a burst pipe.
This happens when water in your pipes freezes, as the frozen water then expands with nowhere to expand to, your pipe splits. Then as the ice thaws, you end up with a leak.
We have a project on this very subject which talks you through what to do to fix your pipe if you do find yourself with a burst pipe, or indeed if you have accidently put a nail through a pipe, as the same process applies to either, so take a look at our Repairing a Burst Pipe project.
Sep 20
Thanks to swapmeetdave.com for the photograph. If you are a plumber would you fancy driving around with this on your van??!!
