DIY Network

Finding Space in New York ... Getting That Boiler Ready

Ed Del Grande, host of Ed the Plumber, gives advice on saving space in a small bathroom, and getting a heating system checked before winter.

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In a small bathroom every inch counts, so make sure you get the toilet bowl and sink (without the vanity section) that takes up the least amount of space. (Photo courtesy of Kohler)

Sept. 18, 2006

Q: Ed, your plumbing column is No. 1 in our book! My wife and I never miss a week without getting some of your informative plumbing tips, but now we need a tiny plumbing favor from you. We just bought an apartment in New York City, and we have discovered what many New Yorkers already know: the bathroom space is very small! It's just a toilet, vanity and shower with an old door. We want to remodel the bathroom anyway, and we're wondering how we can make the best use of tiny bathroom space. That's the tiny favor we need! — Charles and Jean, New York

A: Well, I'm glad my column is No. 1 in your book. I, too, have spent some time in New York City and I understand exactly what you are talking about. For those of you who have never seen a typical New York bathroom, suffice it to say when something is described as a New York bathroom it usually means it is tiny by most everybody else's standards. So if you say your bathroom is tiny I'm assuming it's a very tight fit indeed!

Still, there are some things you can do when remodeling without making any major renovations to the plumbing water and drain lines. First, toilets come in two basic sizes, elongated and round. An elongated toilet is more egg shaped and is usually the standard size for toilet bowls. A round bowl is shaped more like a circle and will be a few inches shorter in length than the elongated bowl. In a small bathroom, where every inch counts, go with the round toilet bowl. The good news is that both bowls will fit the existing toilet drain and water piping, so there should be no need to do major plumbing within the floor or walls.

Another way you can gain some space is to replace the existing vanity with a wall-hung sink. Vanities are nothing more than a big box that take up space in a small bathroom. Again, you can use the same water and drain pipes and install a wall-hung sink that will open up a lot more floor area underneath the sink. You may lose a little storage, but, remember, our goal here is space.

Finally, get rid of the shower door. Shower doors are great if you have the room to open them. Unfortunately, you don't have the room. So install a shower curtain or accordion-type folding door.

Three simple tips like the ones I just mentioned will get you a surprising amount of usable space in your New York bathroom and will keep your remodeling costs small as well.

Q: Help please, Ed! My forced hot water boiler pressure PSI gauge is showing zero! I want to start my boiler. But without any pressure at all in it I know I will have to call a repairman. I'm just worried about what I might be facing. Do I need a new boiler? I'm very stressed about this! — DeeDee, Washington state

A: First, you're doing the right thing by not turning the heat on when your system has not been serviced yet this year.

I always know when fall is coming because my mailbag starts to get all kinds of heating questions. So, here and now, I'm sorry to tell everyone they shouldn't wait any longer; summer's over and it's time to get your heating systems checked for the winter.

DeeDee, the good news is that it is you may not need a new boiler, but you do need a service visit to confirm this. What you likely have is not an uncommon problem for a forced hot water boiler that has been idle all summer. Forced hot water boilers systems are closed loops of piping and usually run at a pressure of about 15 to 20 pounds per square inch. If your pressure falls, most forced hot water systems have automatic refill valves that add the pressure for you. This is called an automatic boiler feed valve and it very well may be stuck and need service or to be changed by a licensed technician.

Heating equipment needs to be checked on a regular basis, and there are so many controls and codes you need to check and follow that only licensed heating companies should do this work.

So, you're on the right track. Have your boiler checked and serviced for the fall and you can take the pressure off yourself and have it put back where it belongs!

(Ed Del Grande is a certified master plumber and hosts DIY's Ed the Plumber. Send plumbing questions to him at edtheplumber@diynetwork.com. For building-code concerns, always contact your local government office or a local licensed plumber. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)

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