Q&A for How to Plumb a Bathroom

There are a few reasons why a toilet would flush very slowly. One is what we call a soft stoppage. Inside the anatomy of a toilet, there's a P trap in which all the debris goes. If that has any obstruction, then that's going to create a very slow flushing toilet. Another reason would include the level of water inside the tank. Inside the tank, you have to have the level of water all the way to the highest setting. The more water you can get in the tank, the better the flush will be.

First, go to the front of the house, side of the house, and back of the house, and shut off the valve that supplies the water to all the fixtures of your property. Once that is turned off, the next step is to go around the property and turn on various fixtures to confirm their water supply and drain the residual water that's inside the system. If that is not done, then there is risk of flooding and water damage. The third step would be to acquire the proper tools, which include a pair of Channellocks, a wrench, and some Teflon tape and plumber's pipe dope. Use those materials to install a new valve. Finally, make sure to turn the valve water supply back on very slowly so that there are no leaks as you're regenerating the water system.

The best way to drain a toilet tank would be to shut off the angle stop or the valve that's directly below the toilet tank. Once those are shut off, I recommend using a wet shop vac. Flush the toilet first, get all the residual water out of the tank, and then extract what's left with the wet shop vac.

Any fixture that has a P-trap needs to be vented. The trap creates a vacuum that needs to be relieved by a vent.

Yes, a p-trap is needed to prevent the leakage of gas into the house and to keep the water flowing.

Could be many reasons. Your new bathroom could have exceeded the amount of feet your system is capable of handling. You could have had the lines done too small; 1/2 inch supply lines would reduce the amount of water and in turn reduce the water pressure. The new plumbing could have a small pinhole leak, allowing pressure drop. Debris in old pipes could have loosened in an area and clogged all the aerator on all faucets and shower heads, resulting in needing to all be cleaned (this is most likely the reason; if the aerator wasn't removed upon turning the water back on they get clogged). The filter at your PRV valve could also be clogged.

There is a float in the system which tells the toilet when it is full or is overfilling.

You first need to get your high school diploma. You will then need to get your vocational training, this is quite an important step. Your semi-last step would be to get licensed. This last step is somewhat optional, but the majority of states require you to have a plumber's license. The basic equipment you will need are various plumbing wrenches, a hacksaw/PVC cutter, a flashlight, locking pliers, a pipe cleaner brush/metal file, a utility knife, a tape measure, PVC Primer, and cement/glue.

1/2 inch cpvc, pex, or copper pipe can do toilet, sink, tub (3 fixtures) from the cut offs all the way to tub or shower valve and washing machines with 1/2 inch pipe, but the trunk water line should be 3/4 inch. You can tee off for kitchen sink and washing machine with 3/4 inch x 1/2 inch/1/2 inch tee. 1/2 supplies up to 3 fixtures on hot or cold. After the stops for sink and toilet, 3/8 supply line is needed to connect to sink faucet or toilet. From well pump to pressure tank 1" PVC, pex, or copper pipe. If city water, 1" or 3/4 PVC, pex, or copper pipe is used. 3/4 inch cold water line to water heater and 3/4 out of water heater for hot water and 1/2 for 3 fixtures.

It can as long as there is no backup like tree limbs or roots to prevent the waist from going down the drain. Just in case, you could put a cap on the opening of the sewer hole for the toilet.

Sure, if you have the room to fit it. Just connect the 2-inch shower/run drain line to the 3- or 4-inch waste line using a reduction tee. Run the hot and cold water lines to the shower and rough them in.

Read the tub installation manual. Usually 18 or 18.5 inches; others are 16 inches. Depends on tub or shower unit. Most likely 18 inches.

Remove the handle. If the shower has single-handle control, then buy a new cartridge. Install the new cartridge and put the handle back on. If the shower has dual-handle control, then remove the bad handle. From there, you either need a new O-ring or cartridge depending on the faucet type.

You should be able to find them in your local hardware store. If not, try finding them online. They might have them on Amazon.

A typical house has a drainage system that works using the earth's gravity. The bottom part of the piping is the drainage system and the top of the drainage is the venting system to get rid of the gases produced. Drains in a bathroom are installed on a very slight slope that drains to increasingly bigger piping. The waste is then drained to a sewer pipe or a septic tank and drain field.

It sounds like your waste water line has a blockage, or if it's on a septic system, your leach field may need replacing.

You will have to tear up channels in the concrete if you have a concrete floor with a jack hammer and re-concrete. Make sure you angle the pipe to code. It should have a slight downward slope. Before you add concrete, have an inspection. The drain pipes cannot have a T connection and you will need to be precise with measurements.

You will need to go into the wall if you cannot get to it from the drain. It's best to call a plumber first though, as they have a power auger.

No. You want to make sure the drain pipe runs to the flange smoothly without any pressure or stress on it. Run your drain line and add the flange last. Don't glue it or screw it down yet. Test the flange by placing the unit on the flange to make sure everything lines up. After that, glue and or screw the flange down.

No. In fact, one of the most beneficial aspects of a crawl space is to have access to your pipes in case of a problem.

Yes, as long as it flows downhill, is vented and there is no size reduction.