category: Plumbing

It’s a common dilemma in bathroom DIY: after installing or re-setting a toilet, should you run a bead of caulk around its base where it meets the floor? This seemingly simple question sparks a surprising amount of debate among plumbers, homeowners, and DIY enthusiasts. On one hand, a neatly caulked perimeter provides a clean, finished look and seals out moisture and grime. On the other, some argue it can hide leaks, leading to unseen damage. ...

When it comes to selecting a new toilet for your bathroom, the market offers a dizzying array of choices, from basic two-piece models to advanced smart toilets. Nestled within the popular and budget-friendly segment, you’ll often encounter the Glacier Bay Power Flush One-Piece Toilet. As Home Depot’s house brand for plumbing fixtures, Glacier Bay aims to provide accessible, functional, and aesthetically pleasing options for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts. The “Power Flush” designation suggests a focus on robust flushing performance, a key concern for many. Combined with the sleek, easy-to-clean design of a one-piece unit, this particular toilet aims to offer a compelling blend of efficiency, style, and value. But how does it truly stack up in terms of performance, durability, and user experience? Let’s delve into the features and benefits of the Glacier Bay Power Flush One-Piece Toilet to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your home. ...

In a world increasingly seeking sustainable living solutions and the ability to establish dwellings in remote or off-grid locations, conventional plumbing systems often present a formidable challenge. The necessity of connecting to a municipal sewer system or installing a complex septic tank and leach field can limit where and how structures can be built. This is where incinerating toilets emerge as an ingenious, albeit niche, alternative. Unlike traditional flush toilets that rely on water and extensive drainage infrastructure, or even composting toilets that require decomposition, incinerating toilets reduce human waste to sterile ash through a high-temperature burning process. This self-contained, waterless, and drainless operation makes them an ideal solution for cabins, tiny homes, boats, RVs, workshops, and any location where access to water, sewer lines, or the ability to dig a septic system is impractical or impossible. This article will delve into the fundamental workings of incinerating toilets, explore their distinct advantages and disadvantages, discuss installation and maintenance, and help you determine if this unique sanitation solution is the right fit for your specific needs. ...

When selecting a new toilet, functionality, efficiency, and comfort are paramount. For many, a standard-height toilet can present challenges, especially for taller individuals, the elderly, or those with mobility issues. Kohler, a renowned leader in plumbing fixtures, addresses this need with its Highline Arc Extra Tall Toilet. Part of their bestselling Highline family, this model combines Kohler’s reputation for quality with an elevated design focused on enhanced accessibility and powerful flushing. ...

When you dream of adding a new bathroom, basement bar, or laundry room, the first thought that often comes to mind is plumbing. Specifically, how will waste water drain into the main sewer line? In conventional plumbing, gravity is king: fixtures must be positioned above the main drainpipe, allowing waste to flow downwards. This simple principle can present a significant obstacle when you want to install a bathroom in a basement below the sewer line, in an attic far from existing drains, or in any location where breaking through concrete floors or extensive re-piping for gravity drainage is impractical, impossible, or prohibitively expensive. ...

Welcome to the PestPolicy Radio Show & Podcast, where we bring you the latest in pest management and, as a bonus, essential home care tips to keep your sanctuary in top shape! Today, June 10, 2025, we’re diving into some common household headaches and offering practical, DIY-friendly solutions that can save you time, money, and future frustration. From those annoying drywall “nail pops” to ensuring your dryer vent is functioning optimally, we’ve got you covered. ...

In the realm of bathroom fixtures, the toilet seat often goes unnoticed until it fails to meet expectations. A slamming lid can be jarring, especially in the quiet hours of the night. A standard-height toilet can be uncomfortable for taller individuals or those with mobility challenges. Combining solutions to these common inconveniences, the quiet-close comfort height toilet seat emerges as a practical and thoughtful upgrade that significantly enhances bathroom comfort, accessibility, and overall user experience. ...

That incessant drip-drip-drip from a leaky bath faucet isn’t just an annoyance; it’s a silent drain on your wallet and a wasteful drain on a precious resource. A single leaky faucet can waste hundreds, even thousands, of gallons of water per year, leading to unnecessarily high utility bills. Beyond the financial impact, persistent drips can also stain your tub or sink, contribute to mildew growth, and eventually lead to more significant plumbing issues if left unaddressed. ...

For generations, the traditional toilet design�comprising a bowl and a bulky tank filled with water�has been a ubiquitous feature in bathrooms worldwide. However, with advancements in plumbing technology and a growing emphasis on space efficiency and sustainability, a sleek, modern alternative has emerged: the tankless toilet. These innovative fixtures are gaining popularity in contemporary homes and commercial spaces for their minimalist aesthetics, water-saving capabilities, and advanced features. Unlike conventional toilets that store a reservoir of water in a tank for flushing, tankless models rely directly on the home’s water supply line to provide a powerful, on-demand flush. This fundamental difference opens up a world of design possibilities and operational benefits, from a more streamlined look to potentially improved hygiene. This article will delve into how tankless toilets differ from conventional models, explore their numerous advantages, discuss potential drawbacks, and help you determine if a tankless toilet is the right choice for your home. ...

The term “wet area bathroom” can sometimes be a source of confusion. In its broadest sense, any part of a bathroom that regularly gets wet�like inside a shower stall or above a bathtub�is a “wet area.” However, in modern architectural and interior design, when someone refers to a “wet area bathroom” or, more commonly, a “wet room,” they are typically referring to a much more integrated and fully waterproofed space. This design trend has gained significant popularity for its sleek aesthetic, enhanced accessibility, and spa-like ambiance. ...