AboutCortez (cort) Cate Expertise I can answer most questions related to residential and commercial plumbing for buildings up to ten-stories in height. I have excellent knowledge of the UPC and UMC. When I am not sure of the best answer or exactly what you want to know I will at least let you know what I think and try to give you realistic options. Many problems are unique and have no simple answer. In those cases I will try to give you some guidance and you should use that to refine the question further and we, together, can seek the answer via a follow up. Plumbing codes and practices vary around the world--If you don't tell me where you live the answer I give may not fit your locality.
I no longer seek ratings for my answers and my time. I am giving my time to you as a way of fulfilling my perceived obligation to share. All the volunteers here deserve the highest rating all the time for their efforts to help and share. Many of you will not take the little time to say thank you; that's ok, it is not required. I am here to try to help you find a solution to your problem. If my answer solves your quest for knowledge that is great and you are welcome BUT most often I will merely be pointing you in the right direction and giving you a little knowledge boost to help you find your answer.
REMEMBER, If you want a good answer you need to ask a detailed question and include where you live, type of pipes, type of building, water pressure if it is a water problem, type of heater, age of appliance & building all these and many more are variables that have an effect on various situations. We can't give you a good answer without good information.
Experience Since 1972 a California licensed B-1 General Building Contractor, C-36 Plumbing and C-16 Fire Sprinkler Contractor; also installing and servicing Heating, Air Conditioning and Sheet Metal operating as C and C Building and Plumbing, California State License 279516. In 1995 I downsized the company to become semi-retired. Still I remain active in the construction industry.
As head of a company I placed personnel and job safety as the number one objective followed closely by training and continuing education. Always seeking to stay informed of leading edge technology in the industry.
Also I have spent several years as an Apprenticeship Instructor in the Pipe Trades Unions.
Additionally I am a certified OSHA instructor.
Education/Credentials United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters Instruction Training, Ann Arbor, MI
Bakersfield College, Bakersfield CA
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, CA
Foothill College, Los Altos, CA
California Licensed Contractor from 1971
Question I have lived in this townhouse for the last 3 years since it was built. Today i heard a loud banging noise after I flushed one of the toilets. This has happened twice before when two tolets were flushed at the same time but this time it was just the one toilet. What problem do i have?
Answer I don't know what State you are in and all laws are not the same but most provide extended periods for latent defects. These are defects that cannot be seen easily or are hidden. You may still have recourse and it wouldn't hurt to mention this to the developer. Never know they may do the right thing and make the repair...
If you find loose pipe at the supply coming from within the wall there is an easy fix I frequently have employed. Spray foam (from local hardware)--stick the tube in next to the pipe and try to point upward if you think the pipe comes from above and apply the foam. Be aware that too much could bulge the wall (not likely but possible) so a little experimenting may be in order if you have doubt or have never used the foam before.
