Q. A realtor told this to my fiance on a house. Rather than going ahead and paying an inspector, what does this mean? What does "new plumbing" entail?

A. Well it depends on WHAT he told her....if he said new plumbing then he probably means new water AND drain lines......that would be a repipe of both systems.....but if he said new kitchen lines or bathroom lines then he meant just that......find out EXACTLY what her told her....NOW after saying that i would STILL get the inspector bacause he doesnt just check plumbing...he looks at the WHOLE house.....the framing and support.....electrical.....plumbing....foundation......roof......walls....EVERYTHING....so i would definitely get the inspector that way u will know everything thats needs fixing and not just the plumbing

Q. I once saw in a magazine that you can add plumbing without cutting into the slab. Yet I have not been able to find anything else on it. It was in a contractors magazine. If anyone knows anything please let me know.

A. They make rear discharge toilets that would allow the drain to be run thru a wall to the main. Don't know but they may make a set-in-place toilet and pump unit that would provide an above-the-slab forced main to the main. Check with a quality plumbing supply house. The next answer mentions a sewer sump pump but that is a big job [think a 3' dia. hole about 3' below the slab for the sump] and would involve cutting some concrete. but it would allow you to locally set fixtures and pump up to the sewer main, so it wouldn't mean cutting a long line.

Q. I have a shower and the plumbing runs up from the floor. On the wall the containing the plumbing, on the opposite side, is an electrical switch and outlet. What is the minimum safe distance between the electrical lines and the plumbing so that a plumbing leak doesn't result in someone being killed or hurt?

A. There is no NEC (national electric code) restriction on this. The supply pipes and electric wire and box could actually all be on the same stud.

Q. I have a friend who has a home that has copper plumbing. The residence was built in 1988, and she was told by a neighbor that copper plumbing is bad and has to be removed/replaced in order to keep the value of the home for resale. This doesn't seem to make sense and the home DOES NOT have any plumbing issues to date. The neighbor cautioned that copper plumbing can burst. Is there any ring of truth to this or is the neighbor thinking of something else. A home built in 1988 doesn't seem that old to me. Please help. All answers are welcome. Thanks. Additional details. Here is the suspected issue: Different metals or types of pipe: copper and galvanized iron, were directly connected in the potable water supply system From this point of view, we are told the entire plumbing in the home needs to be changed. Can this be right?

A. If the copper pipe is stressed, it will create a leak, but only if stressed. By this I mean thin wall, kinks, etc. I have never heard of copper pipes devaluing a home. If anything, copper will add value compared to CPVC or galvanized. If there are no issues with leakage or significant corrosion, leave it.

Q. I'd like to add decorative exposed copper plumbing to my bathroom (for a funky industrial feel) but I have no resources to reference! Does anyone know where I can find some? Thanks!

A. I've seen the look you're after and it's pretty flash here a couple of sites, although one is in black and white you'll get the idea of what is possible using exposed copper plumbing. www.vintageplumbing.com/ This other site has a few of the fittings you'll need to get it down. http://www.bizrate.com/plumbingsupplies/products__keyword--plumbing+copper+cross.html I tried answering your mail but it came back? anyway it's right now. Edit: Now this one isn't working, you're going to have to copy and paste the URL to get there, I have no idea whats happening here.

Q. I can't find any good diagrams/photos on basement plumbing, below slab. I know about vents, slopes and tying in. I just want to see diagrams. Thanks in advance.

A. Did you check with Lowes or Home Depot? They usually help people out with diagrams of kitchen and bathrooms. When we put our bathroom in our basement, we had to build a platform for the plumbing to fit under. Good Luck.....Wish I could help more.

A. When you get a new countertop or a kitchen makeover, that does not include plumbing. Plumbing is extra and generally must be done by a licensed plumber. I had a new countertop put in my house as did my nephew and mother. None of these jobs was the plumbing hooked back up... it's just not the way it works.

A. I looked into this too and this is what I found. Yes, you can do plumbing but you cant certify it. In other words, you can build the whole plumbing, but then you will need a licensed plumber to come over and check it out and do all the peperwork. For example, you cannot install a boiler of a furnace, only licensed people can do that, but you can set all the pipes that go from the furnace to the house. If you have a freind and hes a licensed plumber, you are all set. Ask him if he would certify your work for some money in exchange. The whole job needs to be certified before home inspection comes.