Q: Is pink in the toilet bowl hard water stains?

• <div><p>No, the pink ring in your toilet bowl isn&rsquo;t a hard water stain but a type of bacteria called Serratia marcescens. This bacteria can also cause pinkish stains in other areas of your bathroom, like around your tub, shower curtains, and faucets. Thankfully, it&rsquo;s considered to be harmless. However, if you or anyone in your household is immunocompromised, it can cause issues like urinary tract infections. You can clean the pink ring with bleach and a plastic brush. Wear gloves and goggles when using bleach, and always work in a well-ventilated room.</p></div>

Q: What is a realistic budget for a bathroom remodel?

• <div><p>Small <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-bathroom-remodel-cost.htm">bathroom renovation costs</a> don&rsquo;t have to break the bank. A <b>$5,000</b> budget is realistic, provided you're not adding luxurious fittings or making complex layout changes. Changing the layout is the most costly aspect of renovating a bathroom. So if you keep the layout, do some of the job DIY (within your skillset), and use relatively affordable fixtures and accessories, you should be able to stay within your budget.</p></div>

Question 1

How far away can a vent pipe be from the toilet?

Accepted Answer

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According to the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), the distance between your trap and the vent should be no more than 6 feet. For your vent to work properly, it needs to feed into the drain line within 6 feet of trapways that connect to it. Using this formula, you should be able to determine whether you will need multiple vent lines.

Question 2

How do you know if your toilet flange needs to be replaced?

Accepted Answer

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A toilet flange secures your toilet in place to the floor, and connects your toilet to the drain pipe that carries its contents to the sewer. Obvious signs that your flange needs replacement include when it can’t keep up with these two functions. If your toilet rocks back and forth or you see leaks coming from the bottom of your toilet, it’s time for a replacement. Other signs that your toilet flange is broken or faulty may include loose tiles or soft flooring around the toilet, and sewage smells.

Question 3

Is pink in the toilet bowl hard water stains?

Accepted Answer

•

No, the pink ring in your toilet bowl isn’t a hard water stain but a type of bacteria called Serratia marcescens. This bacteria can also cause pinkish stains in other areas of your bathroom, like around your tub, shower curtains, and faucets. Thankfully, it’s considered to be harmless. However, if you or anyone in your household is immunocompromised, it can cause issues like urinary tract infections. You can clean the pink ring with bleach and a plastic brush. Wear gloves and goggles when using bleach, and always work in a well-ventilated room.

Question 4

What is a realistic budget for a bathroom remodel?

Accepted Answer

•

Small bathroom renovation costs don’t have to break the bank. A $5,000 budget is realistic, provided you're not adding luxurious fittings or making complex layout changes. Changing the layout is the most costly aspect of renovating a bathroom. So if you keep the layout, do some of the job DIY (within your skillset), and use relatively affordable fixtures and accessories, you should be able to stay within your budget.

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.