Drain Cleaning In Tight Spaces
Replacing A Circulator Cartridge
Caulk Gun Extension

Drain Cleaning In Tight Spaces

Have you ever had that kitchen sink or lav sink base cabinet where you just can’t find any room to work when the drain is clogged? First, remove the the trap; if 1 1/2-inch male threads are showing, use a 1 1/2-inch PVC female adapter with a piece of 1 1/2-inch PVC pipe (any length to fit your space).

Then take a 1 1/2-inch PVC wye and 1 1/2-inch glue cap and install it on the pipe. Pour water into the bull of the wye until full, then insert snake into bull of wye. Snake from outside the cabinet, without breaking your back, until water goes down and clog is gone.

Bill Scaglione
WS & Son
Armonk, N.Y.

Replacing A Circulator Cartridge

A quick and easy way to isolate water when replacing a cartridge in a cartridge-style circulator is to first knock down the pressure to 0 psi in the system (but don’t completely drain it). Then slightly loosen the flange bolts, enough to slide a credit card in, and tighten back down. Do that to top and bottom flanges and swap out the cartridges. Remove the credit cards, tighten eveything back up and fill back up with water to correct pressure.

You are up and running without having to purge the system out.

Taylor Potter
Greenpoint Plumbing and Heating
Somerset, Mass.

Caulk Gun Extension

Have you ever had problems getting a caulk gun into tight places? Cut a piece of 1/4-inch R.O. hose and cut the end of the silicone tube just so the hose will fit inside it. Slide the hose in the tube and wrap some tape around it (duct tape, foil tape or electrical tape) to seal the joint. It acts as an extension and works great.

Jim K. Hilpipre
Day Plumbing Heating & Cooling
Fairmont, Minn.

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