Inexpensive Gaskets Should Solve This Faucet Quandary

Question: Hot water is running from both the hot and cold sides of my faucet. What’s wrong?

Answer: First, we assume from your question that you have a two-handle faucet. When your hot water is running from the hot and cold sides of your faucet it means that the rubber gaskets within the valves are leaking.

It could be that only the hot side is bad, but we would recommend that you change both. The gaskets cost less than 50 cents, but can take quite a while to install.

There is a diagram on our Web site at https://www.onthehouse.com that will help you through the process. Once you get to the site, type “faucet repair” into the search engine. Select the first choice that comes up.

Danger: Waste Water Drains Into the Yard

Q: The waste water from the washing machine and kitchen sink drains onto the floor of the garage or into the backyard through a pipe on the exterior of the kitchen wall. This pipe was broken before we moved in and remains open. Should I call a plumber?

A: Waste water from your clothes washer and kitchen sink should not drain onto the garage floor or into the backyard. This waste should discharge into an onsite septic tank or a municipal sewage system. Anything less is unsanitary.

We suggest that you contact a reliable plumber (or sewer and drain service) in your area to make sure the drainpipes are configured properly and draining freely.

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Distributed by Associated Press