A leak at a soldered copper-pipe joint should be repaired by resoldering the joint, but epoxy putty will often halt the leak at least temporarily. Clean the joint thoroughly with sandpaper, make sure the joint is dry and apply the epoxy putty tightly around the entire joint.

Give the epoxy plenty of time to cure before putting the water line back in service. Epoxy-putty in two-part form is sold at many hardware stores and home centers.

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Q: “Is There Any Difference between a tankless hot water heater and a Continuous Flow water heater?”

A: Essentially, no. Tankless water heaters are actually called by a number of different names — continuous flow water heaters, in-line water heaters, instant-on water heaters — they all basically work the same way: the technology behind them allows them to heat normal-temperature water to the desired hot water temperature for use in your home.

Q: “In My House We Use Water to Heat Our Home — Can We Use a Tankless water heater As Well?”

A: Yes you can — all you need to do is have a condensing combination boiler installed. These are used a lot overseas (particularly in Great Britain) and most of these are very energy-efficient. If you have one of these condensing combination boilers installed, of course you will not need a separate tankless hot water heater, as this appliance will give you hot water for your space heat heater system, as well as hot water for your bathtub, shower, etc.

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If you need plumbing fittings, is it really worth it to spend the extra money on the brass type? Yes it is — and for two main reasons. First of all brass plumbing fittings are very durable and hard wearing — fittings made out of brass have been used in plumbing installations for a long, long time and there is a reason for that — they last and last. And the other reason? Simply this: brass plumbing fittings just look GREAT.

Here is an instance where brass plumbing fittings can come in handy — the installation of a PEX tubing system as a replacement waterline. If you purchase a BEST-PEX kit from Flair It, you can use a 3/4″ barb brass tee to join the water lines — this brass plumbing fitting is manufactured solid brass, and complies with standards ASTM F877 and F1807. This type of hardware is also available in 3/8″, 1/2″ and 1-inch sizes as well.

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Having and using an instant hot water heater can be a great convenience, as well as a tremendous energy-saving device. While instant hot water heaters can be a distinct advantage over the other tank-type models, there are some issues that you should take time and think through before you purchase one.

The first issue with an instant hot water heater system is the issue of capacity. Remember that an instant hot water heater must heat your water to a suitable temperature before it can be released to the tap or spigot. Most instant hot water heater systems are rated in terms of how many hot-water using devices can be operated simultaneously (for example, a shower and two separate sink areas) — and obviously you will pay more for an instant hot water heater system with a larger capacity.

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Many homeowners recognize the value and quality of Kohler — their faucets, sinks, lavatories, and shower equipment are unmatched for beauty of design and durability. Yet, occasional repairs may be necessary — and in that case you will need some good Kohler plumbing fixture replacement parts — these are available from a number of outlets:

First of all, from the Plumb Shop — a set of two lavatory handles. These fashionable Kohler plumbing fixtures are in a traditional clear, faceted design. Priced at around $30, these handles can be used with any compatible installation, and can be used for either hot or cold water faucets.

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