Copper pipe is perhaps the most versatile of all piping types in that you can use virtually any fitting with it. Copper pipe, however, is not particularly flexible, which can make it a little unwieldy to work with. Simplify your copper piping projects by using compression fitt ...more
Watch this video from This Old House to learn how to install an under-sink water filter. Steps: 1 Close the cold-water shut-off valve leading to the kitchen sink. 2 Disconnect the copper cold-water pipe from the supply line that runs up to the faucet. 3 Wrap Teflon tape aroun ...more
Watch this video from This Old House to learn how to install a utility sink. Steps: 1. Turn off water 2. Cut section from existing drain pipe and install a new Wye-fitting 3. Assemble PVC pipe and fittings for new drain/vent system 4. Glue drain/vent system to existing vent s ...more
Watch this video from This Old House to learn how to solder copper pipes. Steps: 1 Use emery cloth to clean outside of copper tubing. 2 Clean inside of fitting with wire brush. 3 Apply flux to pipe and fitting with acid brush. 4 Slip fitting over pipe. 5 Heat fitting with pro ...more
This video will show you how-to sweat a copper fitting onto a copper pipe, and also explain to you where and how to hold the torch, for best results. We show you how-to clean the pipe and fitting as well as how to use flux, solder and even the torch.
Watch this video from This Old House to learn how to vent a bathroom fan. Steps:1. Screw the humidifier to a wall near the furnace. 2. Cut away insulation from the duct using a utility knife. 3. Position the hole-cutting template onto side of duct. 4. Drill pilot hole through ...more
Tim Carter shows a clever method that prevents tree roots from entering an underground sewer or septic line. Check for underground utilities before attempting this project. In the spring, trees start to bloom and grow leaves. But they also have aggressive root growth. These r ...more
Copper pipe is perhaps the most versatile of all piping types in that you can use virtually any fitting with it. Copper pipe, however, is not particularly flexible, which can make it a little unwieldy to work with. Simplify your copper piping projects by using push-fit fitting ...more
Watch this video to learn how to cap off a water pipe with a push fit fitting within seconds. Useful for when you absolutely have to cut a pipe. 1. Put an insert firmly into the pipe. 2. Push the fitting onto the pipe. 3. To take if off, just push on the collar and pull it of ...more
Watch this video from This Old House to learn how to fix a sweating toilet. Steps: 1. Turn off water and drain the pipes. 2. Cut a tee-fitting into a nearby hot-water water pipe. 3. Dry-assemble the various copper pipes and fittings to the anti-sweat valve. 4. Solder together ...more
Follow this video to learn how to use copper push-fit fittings to connect piping. 1. Sometimes we connect pipes by means of push-fit fittings which are not very appealing to look at since they are of a different color and material and so do not match with the pipe. However a g ...more
In this video, Karen Schmidt demonstrates how to hook up a water supply to a refrigerator where none exists. For this tutorial you will need the following tools and supplies: an ice maker supply line, a tube cutter, a snap-in fitting, a half-inch by quarter-inch compression va ...more
The following video demonstrates and explains a classic physics experiment called a vacuum cannon. Typically these cannons are made on a much smaller scale to fire ping pong balls, but I wanted to keep things interesting with this 4" diameter monster. Video: . Since this canno ...more
The video gives a step by step tutorial on how to replace the water pump, all belts and the shaft seals on a Porsche 944 S2. The video has a German soundtrack but English subtitles are available at YouTube. The repair is shown for a S2, but most steps are the same for other mo ...more
This article details the step-by-step instructions on how you can make a strawberry tower that can be used for your hydroponics/aquaponics system. The water dripping through the system contains the nutrients, so soil is not used. The growing media is expanded shale, but you co ...more
In this tutorial, we learn how to solder copper water lines. First, take a sand cloth and thoroughly clean the outside of the tube. Then, take a cleaning brush and clean the inside cup of each side of the fitting. Apply flux to the inside of the fitting, then insert the tube i ...more
To solder copper pipes, start by using a sharp blade and scrape the end of the pipe you are going to solder. This will get all the burrs off of the pipe. Next, take some steel wool and clean the pipe so that it is nice and clean and shiny. The next step is to apply some flux. ...more
Soldering copper pipes is a basic plumbing skill that once mastered will enable you to tackle many DIY home repair and home improvement projects - for instance, replacing copper water lines or installing a new spigot. It can be as much an art as it is a science, thus the more ...more
How to use Teflon tape for plumbing applications. I know it sounds simple but there are a few tricks to applying the Teflon tape. Teflon tape is also known as PTFE Tape. In the perfect world, a tap or pipe fitting when correctly fitted should not leak. However we don't live i ...more
Did you know that the average cost to make a penny is about 2.4 cents?!? That's why the Obama administration asked Congress earlier this year for permission to change the metals in the penny, hoping to get the cost back down where it makes sense. But do we even need these coi ...more
Take everyday sprinkler parts and form them into a high pressure rocket launcher that will shoot paper rockets nearly 300 feet!!! It's cheap to make and a lot of fun! Video: . A quick trip to nearly any hardware or sprinkler supply store should get you everything you need for ...more