Here are some simple steps to follow as you learn for yourself how to install a bathroom vanity:

• Your first step will be to remove the old vanity and measure to see where the new holes need to be drilled in the new vanity cabinet to enable the water service to be installed within the new cabinet.

• Once the holes have been cut in the new cabinet, transfer the water service via the pipes into the new cabinet so that the process of hooking up the sink can begin. The water to the bathroom and possibly the whole house or apartment will need to be cut off for the duration of the arranging of the water pipes.

• After cleaning the surrounding floor and double checking the water hook-up, place the new vanity into its proper location. The building owner may wish to place a thin layer of caulk the space between the cabinet and floor to avoid an accidental shift in the placement of the cabinet.

• Take steps to permanently affix the vanity to the bathroom floor.

• Install the new sink into the vanity and hook it up to the water.

Here are some handy tips for you to use when you install a sump pump to rid your house of unnecessary water:

• Be sure you hook up a pump which can thoroughly remove and properly divert the water by lifting it both up and away from the sump hole.  The capacity of the pump to be able to do that is called its “lift.”

• You want a pump that is strong enough to remove the water and direct it as far away from the house as possible.

• You must be absolutely certain that the connection of the pump and its electrical source are fully grounded, as electricity and water do not mix well or safely. The plug should ideally be a GFCI ground for your safety and the safety of the structure itself!

 A few simple steps can get you on the right track to relaxation. 

1. You want to make sure to remove the old head first.  You can do this with a pair of pliers or a wrench that is adjustable (make sure you always use the right wrench for the job).  Turn counterclockwise while grasping the shower head firmly with your free hand.

2. You may find some buildup in your old shower head you will want to clean this from the pipe before installing the new one.

3. With the use of some plumbers tape you should wrap the pipe in a thin layer in a clockwise fashion.  Please make sure to dry the surface well before doing this or the tape will not stick.

4. Now it is time for the new shower head.  You should screw it on over the tape.

5. When you feel resistance this is a good point to stop.  Make sure you do not make it too tight.

6. Now turn on the water in the shower and make sure that there are no leaks around the new head.  If there are leaks, try tightening the shower head some more to see if that stops the leak.

 Now you are on your way to a relaxing shower without all the clogs and leaking!  You may have thought the project was difficult before but with a few simple steps you can now consider yourself the perfect do-it-yourselfer!

1.)   Drain the water out of the toilet and turn the water off so that it cannot refill the bowl.

2.)   Make sure that you put gloves on before you begin, for you will be using harsh chemicals and you do not want to burn your skin.

3.)   Get a toilet ring remover pad.  You can find these pads in any store where cleaning supplies are sold.

4.)   Start by spraying the stain with a rust remover.  Consider purchasing a stain remover that is very strong and is recommended for iron stains.

5.)   Scrub the stain with the pad and continue adding rust remover as you move along the inside of the bowl. 

6.)   Repeat the process until you get the results that you desire. 

7.)   Turn the water back on and let the toilet refill. 

It can take a lot of time and elbow grease to get rust stains out of your toilet.  Because of this, you will want to keep your toilet cleaned once the stain is gone. Repeat the steps above, but with not as strong chemical, once a month to ensure the iron stains do not come back. You do not want to have to go through this entire process again with a strong stain.  

Harsh water can cause rust stains on a regular basis and continuing to use harsh chemicals for cleaning your toilet can be damaging for your septic system.  So, you will want to clean your toilet regularly in order to avoid rust build up in the toilet.

• While mapping out your homes main water, gases and electric controls bring labels (or duck tape and a sharpie) to mark main valves/controls such as “Main Shutoff”.
• If you find most of your controls in a basement or closet, keep a flash light near the controls in case a blackout occurs in which you need to access the control panels.

Finding the Water Supply: You should find the water meter on the outside of your home near the water supply pipe the goes into the house. In new homes you will find a Gate Valve that works like a round handle faucet. Just like a faucet you will need to turn clockwise (left turn) to turn off the water flow. Counterclockwise (right turn) will restore the water flow.  Most water supply valves are hard to turn, so you may need to use a lubricant.

If you are in an older home, you may have a Ball Valve. Although they are more difficult to operate, they are sturdier and longer lasting. When the Ball Valve handle is parallel (in line with) to the pipe your valve is open and water is running. When you want to turn the water supply off to your home, make a quarter turn so that the handle and the pipe make a 90 degree angle. The Ball Valve only turns one way, so don’t force it if the handle will not turn.

Finding the Gas Supply: You know that meter outside your home that reads the amount natural gas your household uses, that is where you will find your shutoff valve for your gas. The shutoff valve is usually a small rectangular handle.  When the handle is parallel with the gas pipe, the gas is on. To turn the gas off, simply turn the handle perpendicular to the gas pipe.

 Finding the Electric Supply: Your electrical controls are usually located in a metal box that contains fuses, this box is called an Electric Service Panel or Breaker Box. The main electrical shut off can be found in the top portion of the Breaker Box, sometimes enclosed in a small access door within the Breaker Box, above all  other fuses or circuit breakers. Simply switch the main shut off switch to the off position to stop any flow of electricity to your home.

If you notice that the flow of water from the spray is sluggish, first make sure the hose is not kinked. If the spray hose is not kinked, then you may need to clean the aerator in the spray nozzle. If the water flow remains sluggish after you have cleaned the aerator, you may have a diverter valve problem. You’ll have to clean or replace the diverter. 

If the spray head leaks however, you just need to replace the washer from the hose. For a leak at the faucet end of the spray hose, tighten the hose coupling. For a hose that leaks itself you probably have a cracked hose and will need to replace it.

Three common problems of a sink spray and how to fix them:

Clogged Spray Nozzle: Remove the nozzle screw and clean the perforated disc with a soapy water and small scrub brush. Open the clogged holes of the nozzle with a safety pin. Replace the nozzle.

Leaking Spray Head: With the water off, unscrew the spray head and replace the spray washer. Make sure the coupling is tightened once you reattach the spray head. 

Leaking Spray Hose: Remove the spray hose with a basin wrench. Remove the coupling under the sink along with the spray-head coupling. Replace the hose with a new one and reattach the spray head coupling and the sink coupling.

How to Clean the Diverter Valve: Unscrew the sinks faucet cap to reach the diverter. Make sure you know how to take apart a faucet.  Loosen the screw that is on top of the diverter just enough that the diverter is loose to lift it out of the faucet. Once you have the whole diverter out, take it apart for cleaning. Use soapy water and a small scrub brush to clean the inside and out of the diverter. If the diverter is too corroded you may need to replace it. Once you have cleaned the diverter or had purchased a new one, you are ready to reinsert it into the faucet.

1. Turn off the water supply and drain the tank so you may disconnect the water supply pipe. For a bowl-mounted tank remove the tank bolts and gaskets left off the tank. For a wall-mounted tank, remove the connection pipe by loosening the pipe couplings.

2. Then unscrew the locknut under the tank and remove the lift wires, guide rod and stopper. Now left out the valve and overflow tube.

3. Assemble the gasket on the new flush valve by inserting the assembly through the tank bottom. Position the overflow tube and assemble the conical gasket locknut. Once complete, tighten.

4. Slip the guide rod and collar down the overflow tube to install a stopper with lift wires. Once the guide rod is centered over the valve seat, tighten the adjustment the screw.

5. Hook the upper lift wire onto the tip lever. Than slide the lower lift wire down through the upper wire and guide rod. While using the adjustment screw, adjust the rod’s height.

6. So the stopper will droop straight down, screw the tank stopper onto the lower lift wire. Replace the bowl-refill tube and reconnect the tank then reverse the above steps.

•  When winterizing your pipes you will need to turn off the main shut off valve or have the water company turn off water service to the home.  From the top floor and working down, open all of your faucets inside and outside of the home.

•  Once all the water has dripped for the taps, open the plug from the main water shut off and let it drain. Turn off the power/gas to the water heater and open the water heater drain valve.

•  To freeze proof the water system of your home, make sure to empty toilet bowls and tanks, remove the cleanout plugs on all the sink traps or remove the traps completely.

•  Once emptied, fill with low temperature windshield fluid. Repeat the same step with the basement floor drain and main house trap.

•  For tub and shower traps, add at least a quart of RV antifreeze or windshield fluid.

*Never place antifreeze or windshield fluid in a dishwasher or clothes washer.

Hot Water: The safest of the below methods for thawing frozen pipe is to wrap the pipe with rags and poor boiling water on it.
Heating Pad: Warp the length of the frozen pipe with a heating pad.

 
Hair Dryer: Used like a torch, a hair dryer will gently defrost the frozen pipe from the outside in.
Heat Lap:  For pipes situated behind any walls, floors or ceilings, beam a heat lamp 8 or more inches from the surface of the frozen pipe.

Preventive maintenance around your home is to keep your home in good  repair.  Such routine home maintenance will avoid major repairs in the future. Below is a list of the most common year round home maintenance work you should do around your home. The chart is simply a guide. If you notice a problem developing take action immediately.

CAUTION: Before inspecting or working on any electrical system or on any device connected to it, shut off the power and check to make sure the circuit is dead with a circuit tester. Unplug any device you plan to work on. For maintenance or repairs to plumbing fixtures or water using appliances you should shut off the water before making any repairs. Follow safety tips when on the roof.