Bathtubs:

Clogged or slow draining. Leaky Caulking. Drippy Faucet.

Toilets:

----- Clogged: See "clogs" if clogged or flushes poorly.

----- Runs constantly or intermittently: You have either a bad "Ballcock" or "Flush Valve." You can test the flush valve by putting a little food coloring in the tank. If the coloring shows up in the bowl, you have a leaking flush valve. This can usually be fixed by replacing the rubber "Flush Ball" or "Flapper." Turn off the water to the toilet, remove the old part, and bring it in to Howe Brothers. There are many different types, and we need to see the old one in order to provide you with the right replacement.

Sinks:

Clogged or slow draining. Drippy Faucet.

Faucets:

----- Drips: There are simply too many types of faucets to describe them all thoroughly here. Generally, if you have a "Single Lever" faucet, it will require a single replacement cartridge, or a "Ball/Spring/Washer" repair kit. Two-handled faucets may use either cartridges, modular units, or a stem/washer/seat arrangement. Parts for all of these can be found at Howe Brothers. But, as always, bring in the old parts so we can provide the correct replacements!

----- Leaks around handles: This is almost always due to worn out packing material or a loose or missing "Packing Nut." The packing material (or new o-ring) can be purchased at Howe Brothers. Better yet, bring in the old parts and we'll install the new packing for free!

----- Leaks around spout: Caused by worn-out spout o-rings. Remove the spout. This will expose two or more rubber o-rings where the spout came off. Remove these (a dental pick works well for this) and bring them to Howe Brothers for replacement.

----- HINT: As a general rule, the threads, moving parts and seals of most faucets require generous lubrication in order to work properly. Regular household Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) makes a very effective and safe lubricant.

Leaky pipes:

-----Leaky Drain pipes: There are many causes (and kinds) of leaks in drain pipes. If the leak is at a slip joint (like under your sink or lavatory) you can try tightening it. If this fails, you can come to Howe Brothers for a new gasket or packing material. If the leak is at some other type of joint, you will have to dismantle the joint and reassemble it using fresh sealant or gaskets as appropriate. Consult Howe Brothers for more details.

-----Leaky water pipes: Similar to drain pipes, try tightening any loose mechanical joints. Other types of joints require different strategies. Consult Howe Brothers.

Clogged Drains:

----- Bathtub: Check for hair in the strainer. Remove all hair build-up (This is a dirty, gross job). If that doesn't fix the problem, you may have a clogged "Drum Trap." The next step is to use a drain cleaner. Consult Howe Brothers to get the safest, most effective product for your drain. If chemicals don't work, the last (and hardest) step is to clean out the drum trap, which is located inside the floor beneath the tub. These are accessed either through an access panel behind the tub, or the ceiling of the room below the tub. Remove the large plug from the bottom of the drum trap and physically remove any material clogging it. Apply a new gasket to the plug before replacing it (available at Howe Brothers).

----- Toilet: A plunger will usually fix most clogs. For more stubborn clogs, a "Closet Auger" or "Snake" is used. Howe Brothers carries them, and can instruct you on their use.

----- Sink or Lavatory: Check the strainer for hair build-up. On lavatories, pull out the drain plug and remove any hair that may be attached to it. If the drain is still clogged, you can try to use a plunger. On lavatories, hold a wet rag over the "overflow holes" while you are plunging, otherwise the plunger will not work. If it still doesn't drain, the next step is to use a drain cleaner. Consult Howe Brothers to get the safest, most effective product for your drain.

----- Floor Drain: Requires the use of a "Sewer Tape." This is a long, flexible, coiled bar which is inserted into the drain to break through the clog. The most common cause of a clogged floor drain is tree roots growing through the pipe between your house and the street.

Leaky Caulking:

Leaky caulking needs to be removed. Clean all affected areas, then apply new caulking. Howe Brothers carries a wide range of caulking products in a variety of colors. Check with the experts for the right type for your job.