Q: Can you convert a gravity-flush toilet to a pressure-assist toilet?

• <div><p>No, you can&rsquo;t convert a gravity-flush toilet to a pressure-assist toilet. Pressure-assist toilets include a tank-within-the-tank, and a standard gravity-flush toilet doesn&rsquo;t have a capability to include the additional tank. If you want the benefits of a pressure-assist toilet, you&rsquo;ll have to make the investment in a new one. </p></div>

Q: Why can’t I unscrew my toilet seat?

• <div><p>If you&rsquo;ve accessed the bolts and nuts that hold your toilet seat in place and can&rsquo;t unscrew them, it&rsquo;s possible that they were overtightened or that the material corroded over time, making it impossible to unscrew. If that&rsquo;s the case, you can either call in a plumber for help, or you can DIY a solution if you&rsquo;re careful. Lay down masking tape around the mounting bracket and then use the tape as a surface to lay a hack saw blade. Move slowly to cut through the bracket and bolt, being careful not to damage the porcelain in the process.</p></div>

Question 1

What day is the busiest for plumbers?

Accepted Answer

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The Thanksgiving holiday period is one of the busiest times of the year for plumbers. Both Thanksgiving Day and the day after, often called Black Friday or "Brown Friday" by plumbing professionals, see a significant increase in service requests. This is because a house full of guests, large holiday meals, and unfamiliarity with the home's plumbing can lead to clogged drains, garbage disposal issues, and sewer line backups. Outside of the holidays, the busiest weekdays for plumbers are typically Monday and Tuesday, as many people discover plumbing problems over the weekend but wait to call for service. Despite the holiday, you can rest assured that many plumbers work on Thanksgiving and Black Friday to handle the surge in emergency calls.

Question 2

Can you convert a gravity-flush toilet to a pressure-assist toilet?

Accepted Answer

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No, you can’t convert a gravity-flush toilet to a pressure-assist toilet. Pressure-assist toilets include a tank-within-the-tank, and a standard gravity-flush toilet doesn’t have a capability to include the additional tank. If you want the benefits of a pressure-assist toilet, you’ll have to make the investment in a new one.

Question 3

Should I replace the toilet or tile first?

Accepted Answer

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When working on your bathroom floor tiling, you should always tile the floor first and then refit the toilet afterward. This has both practical and visual advantages—the tile will have a better seal, and the installation will look cleaner.

On the other hand, when you try to cut the tiles to fit around the toilet, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage. It’s a lot more work, it’s hard to be precise, and mistakes or miscalculations can lead to future moisture damage to the tiling, grout, and subfloor.

Question 4

Why can’t I unscrew my toilet seat?

Accepted Answer

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If you’ve accessed the bolts and nuts that hold your toilet seat in place and can’t unscrew them, it’s possible that they were overtightened or that the material corroded over time, making it impossible to unscrew. If that’s the case, you can either call in a plumber for help, or you can DIY a solution if you’re careful. Lay down masking tape around the mounting bracket and then use the tape as a surface to lay a hack saw blade. Move slowly to cut through the bracket and bolt, being careful not to damage the porcelain in the process.

Question 5

Why do some old houses have a toilet in the basement?

Accepted Answer

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Some older homes have toilets in the basement to combat sewage backups. This type of toilet, also known as a Pittsburgh potty, acted as a safety valve over the incoming sewer line. If a line backed up, it would back up into the toilet because it was the lowest fixture in the home, keeping it out of sight and away from the finished areas of the house.

Basement toilets were also used by workers with messy jobs, like those who worked in coal mines or steel mills. This way, they could clean up and avoid tracking dirt through their home.