| A few weeks ago, our family noticed water coming | | | | without a wrench, thus saving you some money if |
| out of the cabinets around the kitchen and bathroom | | | | you don't need one, providing there is not one in the |
| sinks. With a little inspection, we discovered the same | | | | toolkit already. A word about pipe wrenches: You |
| problem in each case was at fault. The U-trap pipe | | | | know that number they give such as 18"? That |
| was leaking due to being worn out from years of | | | | refers to the handle length AND the full opened |
| use. The pipe as its name suggests is U-shaped. | | | | width of the wrench jaws. Confusing, huh? Just be |
| The importance of the U-trap other than keeping | | | | sure you pay for what you need. |
| your floor dry and getting rid of water is that | | | | After getting what you need from the store, |
| because some water is in the bottom of the pipe at | | | | unscrew the collars or nuts around the pipe, gently |
| all times, this helps prevent sewer gases from | | | | move it a bit to see if it moves, then pull out of |
| entering your home and harming you or your loved | | | | position, and insert the new pipe and appropriate |
| ones. | | | | hardware. See that it is secure. Turn on the water. |
| After diagnosing the problem, the next step is to go | | | | Check for leaks. If you have anymore problems with |
| to the hardware store and get a replacement. Other | | | | leaks from the same source, recheck all pipe |
| than a flashlight (no matches or open fire source!), | | | | connections for the U-pipe and P-pipe. The P-pipe is |
| you will need a pipe wrench(only if you can't use | | | | the one that leads from the U-trap pipe into the |
| your fingers to remove the nuts holding the pipe) | | | | wallpipe connection, which, as the name suggests is |
| and replacement pipe (either metal or PVC). You | | | | the pipe leading into the wall and from there the |
| should check the pipe to see if you can remove it | | | | sewer. |