Life changes when the kids move out. It’s quiet and the water bill goes waayy down. Is a 40-50 gallon water heater tank still needed? In our mid-century split-level home, we’re transforming a poorly-planned 6′ x 8′ bathroom into a tiny utility room. The plan is for this newly-born utility room to hold a stackable washer-dryer, a water softener, a very small laundry folding area […]

Q: I have a gas fireplace and I’m picking up the smell of gas in the firebox. I suspect a leaky valve. Should I call a fireplace company? A: You can, but a reputable fireplace or chimney company will recommend that you call a plumber. Why? Well, it’s all about professional boundaries and training. Plumbers are trained to install and repair gas lines; fireplace and […]

“If I [were] a young man again and had to decide how to make my living, I would not try to become a scientist or scholar or teacher. I would rather choose to be a plumber … in the hope to find that modest degree of independence still available under present circumstances.” – Albert Einstein, The Reporter, 18 November 1954 Americans take many of our modern […]