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MAJOR SYSTEMS: PLUMBING

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Which PEX Is Best? The Right Tubing for Any Job
Polyethylene cross-linked tubing, better known as PEX, is a fine addition to the industrious do-it-yourself plumber's...
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Bob Vila Radio: Pex vs. Copper
For anything from small plumbing repairs to running lines for a whole house, there are lots of reasons pex tubing bea...
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Bob Vila Radio: Hybrid Water Heater
If you’re paying through the nose for hot water in your house, you’ve probably already thought about replacing your c...
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Bob Vila Radio: Thawing Pipes
Frozen pipes that burst and cause water damage in your home can happen in all but the warmest areas, and often when y...
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Bob Vila Radio: Freezing Pipes
'Tis the season for freezing pipes, and that's not just for folks in colder climates. Listen to BOB VILA ON FREEZING ...
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Everything You Need to Know About Winterizing Pipes
As you ready your house for the colder months ahead, don’t forget about your water system. When water freezes, it exp...
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Bob Vila Radio: Replacing Faucets
If you’re looking for a quick and inexpensive way to give your kitchen a pick-me-up, replacing the sink faucet might ...
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Bob Vila Radio: Tankless Water Heaters
If your home is like most in the U. S. , you’re spending a fifth of your energy dollars heating your water. If your w...
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Bob Vila Radio: Water-Saving Fixtures
Showers account for more than a fifth of the water Americans use every day. You can conserve more of this precious re...
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Bob Vila Radio: Loud Pipes
If you hear banging or knocking when you turn the tap on and off in your home, you could be straining pipes and coppe...
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Bob Vila Radio: Fixing a Slow Drain
Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing)...
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Green Homes—Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures
Save water and energy by investing in WaterSense certified low-flow toilets and faucets.
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Tankless Hot Water Heaters: Should I or Shouldn't I?
Whether you are building a new home or retrofiiting an older one (like me), take time to evaluate the hot water syste...
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How To: Unclog a Clogged Drain
Follow this helpful advice on clearing up a slow-moving or clogged drain.
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How To: Unclog a Sink Drain
Six simple steps to unclog a stopped-up sink drain.
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Plumbing Tools
Consult our list for all the tools you'll need to deal with your plumbing system.
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How To: Install a Sink Disposal
Depending on what part of the world you're from you may have heard sink disposals referred to as "garbage disposals,"...
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How To: Install a Faucet
Changing or installing a new faucet is a fairly simple home improvement task, even if it does require contorting your...
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Some Notes on the Mechanical Systems
Advice on how to deal with and what to expect when hiring those who use Mechanical Systems in your home.
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The Plumbing Rough-In
Find out how this system of your house works before your house's pipes are hidden from view.
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Evaluating the HVAC and Plumbing System
Bob meets with HVAC and plumbing contractor Frank Iadarola to review the HVAC and plumbing systems and discuss how to begin the remodeling process.
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Reviewing the Boiler Pipes and Bathroom In-Floor Radiant Heat
Bob and plumbing and heating contractor Frank Iadarola review the air handler and bathroom in-floor radiant heat.
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Installing and Explaining a Basement HVAC System
Bob meets with the installer of the new HVAC system to discuss how it filters air and reduces energy costs.
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Reworking the Existing Plumbing and Replacing Brass Water Pipes with PEX Tubing
Bob reviews the work done on the existing plumbing in the basement and the replacement of obsolete brass water pipes.
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Plumbing Fittings and Faucets, Energy Star, Whole-House Surge Protection
Bob works with Bob and Dan Gerry to install kitchen sink fixtures. Then the ceiling fan is put in and a Square D All House Surge Arrester is installed.
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Installing a Central Vacuum System
Ron Boffoli from Cape Cod Vacuum Supply installs the components for a central vacuum system.
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Installing Plumbing Loop and Fixtures for Multiple-Head Shower
Bob tours the master bath with an eye towards the luxury appointments, including the double vanity fixtures, granite countertop, and Wellborn cabinets.
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Reviewing the Wood Burning Boiler Features
Back at the Cobb Hill co-housing community, Bob meets with builder Kevin O'Hara, who shows Bob the enormous Gard wood gasifying boiler that's just arrived.
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Reviewing the Plumbing and Heating
The developer and the plumber guide Bob through the equipment-laden boiler room.
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Plumbing With PVC Piping
Bob meets with plumbing contractor, who demonstrates how all the waste lines come together in a residence and how they exit the house.
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Installing a Tankless Hot Water Heater
Bob meets with plumbing contractor Craig Rinaldi and Mary Moffroid (from Controlled Energy), who are installing a tankless hot water heater.
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Plumbing in the Bathroom and Wiring in the Kitchen
Plumber Kevin Hanley reviews the installation process for a pedestal sink and antique toilet in the new half-bath. And electrical wiring is pulled through the wal...
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Plumbing and Electrical Work in the Home Addition
Bob joins Jack O'Leary to review the rough-in plumbing and electrical work, and, together, they install a roof vent.
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Innovative Septic System Installation
Bob meets with Tom Florence, who's installing the Flo-Well septic system. The tank is much lighter than with concrete systems, costs about 20% less, and will last...
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Exterior Tour and Plumbing
Bob and contractor Bob Ryley tour the exterior of the cabin, whose exposed wood surfaces will pose some problems for the builders. The plumber installs a drain li...
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Installing PVC Pipe
Bob checks in with plumbing contractor Jim Timino, who is running PVC pipe for the rough plumbing. Along the way, Jim demonstrates how to properly cement, or glue...
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Vent Pipe Installation
A vent pipe is installed in the ranch's roof. A hole is cut and a shield is added to create a weather-tight seal around the pipe and roof shingles. Down in the ba...
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Sweating a Joint in Copper Plumbing
The plumber Steve Bowton shows Bob how to sweat a joint in copper plumbing.
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Hot Water Boiler Installation
Bob looks on as plumbing contractor Steve Bottazzi removes the old boiler and installs a new state-of-the-art system. At 280,000 BTUs, it is three times as strong...
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Installing a New Plumbing Trap
Bob joins plumber Bob Hubbard, who is replacing the cast-iron drain lines with PVC pipe. Hubbard demonstrates how to glue or cement PVC fittings together, before ...
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Rough Plumbing Work
Bob goes over some of the rough plumbing work that needs to be done in the Cape Cod house.
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Joining Copper Plumbing
Plumber Tom Higham demonstrates how to join copper plumbing for the bathroom lavatory.
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Installing the Septic System
John Aalto talks Bob through the installation of the septic system.
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New Water Service Connected
Plumber Don McPoland shows how the new water service is connected to the house.
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Radiant Floor Heating System Installed
John Martin (from WarmZone) is on-hand to show Bob how the medium density fiberboard (MDF) faced with reflective aluminum shielding, and precut channels for the h...
 
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