Get matched with top plumbers in Wheaton, MN

The P-trap (or S-trap in older homes) under your shower is designed to prevent sewer gas from coming back up, so you shouldn’t normally experience foul odors coming from your shower drain. If you do, the vent stack that introduces air into your plumbing system may be clogged, or you may have a more severe sewer main blockage. In either case, hire a plumber to fix the issue for you.

A handyperson with basic plumbing experience can install a bathroom faucet, like the kind of skills you’d need to replace a P-trap or swap out a showerhead. They may not have deep knowledge of local plumbing code, though. If your faucet installation requires work on the pipes behind the wall or under the floor, hire a licensed plumber with the necessary training and licensing. 

Knowing which type of bathtub faucet you have is the first step toward finding a replacement. The faucet can be deck mount—meaning installed on the tub itself—or wall mount—meaning installed in the wall. Some bathtub faucets are freestanding and installed on the floor. There are also single- and double-handle models. Some faucets have a diverter on the spout to move the water from the showerhead to the bathtub spout, while others have a third handle that acts as a diverter.

Pot fillers are often outfitted with cold water only. When you need water for boiling, always choose cold water because hot water may contain more dissolved minerals from the pipe, offsetting the flavor of the food. In kitchens where the filler is used often, it may make sense to route hot water too, but this is rare, and even professional kitchens seldom have this option installed.