Vol. I · No. 31Tuesday, September 15, 2026
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The Plumbing Brief

How-To

How-To

What Does NPT Mean in Plumbing?

NPT means National Pipe Thread: the tapered US standard (ANSI B1.20.1). See how it seals with tape or…

By The Plumbing Brief Editorial Team
How-To

How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain

Unclog a bathtub drain fast: remove the stopper by type, pull the hair, plunge with the overflow sealed,…

By The Plumbing Brief Editorial Team
How-To

Drain Cleaner in a Toilet: Why It Backfires and What to Use

Putting drain cleaner in a toilet risks cracked porcelain, a ruined wax ring, and a caustic pool you…

By The Plumbing Brief Editorial Team
How-To

Bathroom Faucet Plumbing: Types, Supply Lines, and How to Install One

Bathroom faucet plumbing explained: single-hole vs 4in centerset vs 8in widespread, supply line sizes, mounting nuts, and step-by-step…

By The Plumbing Brief Editorial Team
How-To

PVC Pipe: Schedules, Sizes, Uses, and How to Join It

PVC pipe explained: schedule 40 vs 80, sizes and OD, where it works (and where it does not),…

By The Plumbing Brief Editorial Team
How-To

Plumbing Pipe Sizes: The Complete Supply, Drain, and Vent Chart

Plumbing pipe sizes by fixture: supply, trap, drain, and vent sizes in one chart, plus fixture units and…

By The Plumbing Brief Editorial Team
How-To

How to Install a Water Softener

How to install a water softener: where to place it, the loop and bypass valve, the drain line…

By The Plumbing Brief Editorial Team
How-To

How to Install a Sump Pump

Sump pump plumbing, step by step: pit, 1-1/2 in discharge pipe, check valve, weep hole, and where the…

By The Plumbing Brief Editorial Team
How-To

Bathroom Remodel Plumbing: What to Keep, What to Move, and the Cost

Bathroom remodel plumbing costs less when you keep fixtures near the stack. See what it costs to move…

By The Plumbing Brief Editorial Team
How-To

New Construction Plumbing: The 3 Phases, Cost, and Timeline

New construction plumbing runs in three phases: groundwork, rough-in, and trim-out. See cost per fixture, per square foot,…

By The Plumbing Brief Editorial Team