The plumber Steve Bowton shows Bob how to sweat a joint in copper plumbing. First he cleans the pipes with an emery cloth. Then he explains that plumbers no longer use lead solder and instead use a tin and antimony mixture to protect homeowners from lead poisoning. Then he puts flux on the pipes and the fittings. Places the fixture on the pipes and levels it, then solders the joints. The flux helps draw the solder into the space.

Bob explains how remodeling a basement presents owners with options they didn't realize they had. In the Melrose home project, a space previously used as a little paint closet was converted to house a half bathroom that is badly needed in a home with only one bathroom for its four members. The area was reframed and the staircase restructured to accommodate the room. Al Leone of Plumbers Union Local Number 12 installed the new piping using PEX flexible tubing. Electricians were then called in to rewire the area. Electrician John Schiavone installed the wires, circuits, switches, and outlets.

Bob reviews the work done on the existing plumbing once all the waterproofing and flood-prevention measures are put in place in the basement. Al Leone of Leone Plumbing Corp. first cut the pipes into sections for easy removal. The cast iron pipe was cut and removed using a special pipe cutter. Bob explains that Leone is a union contractor who decided to go into business for himself. His helper, Matthew Orlando, is going through the apprentice training program through the Plumber and Gas Fitters Local Union Number 12 in Boston. The chapter spends $4,500 a year to put each apprentice through a thorough five-year training program where they spend two nights per week learning about everything from bathrooms to hospital gas work. Leone demonstrates some of the specialized work he does to install the pipe, including using oakum, a joint runner, and poured hot lead to form a joint seal. Leone then shows how some of the other seals are put in place in the pipe.

Bob tours the upstairs master bath with an eye towards the space's luxury appointments, including the double vanity fixtures, granite countertop, and Wellborn cabinets. Plumber Dave DuVerger is installing a trim package to finish off the spacious shower. The shower features three showerheads in a nearly six-by-six foot enclosure. To supply enough water pressure, these are built on a plumbing loop with a 3/4-inch supply line.

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. If the age-old question, what s that smell? has got you stumped, here s how to clear the air. First, know that household odors serve a purpose they are there to tell you that something is leaking, broken or needs to be cleaned or thrown out. Masking them with other scents or ignoring them won t make them go away and could actually be hazardous to your health. Try to localize the odor, troubleshoot possible causes and, if necessary, call a professional to rectify the problem before it gets worse. Once you ve taken care of the cause, there are some effective ways to clear up residual odors without using toxic chemicals. New citrus-based and bio-degrading air deodorizers will naturally digest odor-causing substances in trash cans and bathrooms and are easier on the lungs. To prevent household odors or deal with chronic ones, check for leaks under sinks and water-using appliances and have a plumber inspect your plumbing system to be sure it s properly vented and sealed. Change the filters in your air cleaner and furnace on a schedule and keep vent fans in the kitchen and bathrooms in working order. If you regularly have water in your basement or your crawlspace has an unlined dirt floor, you should consult a basement professional for moisture mitigation solutions to keep the mold and mildew at bay. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Bob meets plumber Charlie Delvecchio of Cape Plumbing at the ranch-style affordable home in Mashpee, Massachusetts. Delvecchio shows Bob the Moen single lever, pull-out spray faucet that he has installed. Bob then meets the homeowner, Kim Brown, and discusses her choice of layout and finishes. Brown chose the single-floor, open layout because it eliminates stairs and worries with a young child. The kitchen is complete and the black Kenmore appliances have been installed. They are a nice complement to the light, Maple beadboard cupboards and soapstone-look counters. Brown then shows Bob the laundry center complete with high-efficiency Whirlpool washer and dryer. They are elevated to make for easy loading and storage, and use up to 67 percent less water and energy than standard laundry appliances.

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Don t let a drain clog slow you down; it s usually an easy fix. A partial clog can be cleared by cleaning out the drainpipe. Older plumbing can be damaged by using harsh drain chemicals, so opt for a naturally biodegrading drain cleaner or use this homemade solution: pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain, then slowly add a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain for five minutes, then flush with a gallon of boiling water. Some clogs call for a plunger. The key here is to create a vacuum. If you re working on the kitchen sink, you need to clamp off the dishwasher hose and seal the drain openings in the other sink basins. If it s the bathroom sink or tub, plug the overflow opening with a wet rag. With at least a couple inches of water in the basin, plunge rapidly several times, pulling up sharply at the end to move the clog. You may need to do this several times. If plunging doesn t clear the clog, use an auger. If your drain opening is obstructed, sometimes a coat hanger wire with a small hooked end will bring up the clog. You can also detach the trap under the sink with a plumber s wrench in order to get at the clog or to rescue anything you ve lost down the drain. If you don t see an improvement in drainage after all of that and especially if more than one drain is slow in your house you should consult a plumber since the problem could be caused by blocked or improper venting of the wastewater system. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Bob and Dan Gerry form Tranquility Plumbing agree that budgeting for high-quality fittings and fixtures is important. The Moen diverter and sprayer that Gerry is installing is a great unit that is easily repaired by the homeowner. Gerry says that it is important to consider availability of parts when selecting fixtures, because every faucet will need repairs sometime. Gerry runs the supply line then adds a weight that will pull it though as soon as the sink is installed. He also fits the shut-off valves and tightens them in place so that water can be shut off at the site without needing to turn off service to the entire house.

Bob joins Jack O'Leary and looks at rough-in plumbing and electrical and they install a roof vent.

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. If your pipes are whistling, banging or knocking when you turn the water on or off, there are things you can do to quiet them. Water hammer is a common cause of banging pipes. In plumbing where water pressure is high, shutting off the tap can cause the pressure to back up and jolt the pipe, a little like slamming on the brakes in your car. The jolt can be especially violent when a solenoid-controlled appliance like a washer or dishwasher shuts the tap since the shutoff happens instantaneously. Many homes come already equipped with water hammer arresters, which are small air chambers attached above the water line to absorb the pressure of the water as it s shut off. Spiral-shaped water hammer arresters were also used years ago and you may still find them in older homes. Plumbing that s not properly anchored to the framing can rub or bang on whatever is nearby and cause a racket. All this banging and jolting can strain pipes and copper fittings and you can eventually wind up with a leak. It s best to deal with the cause of the noise wherever you have access to the plumbing. Plastic or nylon pipe inserts work well to cushion pipes running through framing members, but they need to be installed when you do the plumbing. For retrofitting, try pipe hangers. These plastic hooks hold the pipe off the framing and have a felt or rubber cushion to absorb any movement and prevent noise. Whistling sounds are also common where a shutoff valve hasn t been opened all the way or where pressure is high. If your water pressure is excessively high, installing a pressure-reducing valve near the water meter will get rid of the noise and lower your water bill. But consult a plumber first to be sure it won t take too much pressure away from any upper story plumbing. Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com