The Sedimental Reasons for Pressure Problems

Question: I recently installed a new faucet in my bathroom and since then I’ve noticed the water pressure hasn’t been very good from it. I’ve checked the connections and I turned the water valve so it’s fully opened, so what could be causing it?

J.M.,

Garden Grove

Answer: “There are a lot of possibilities, and it’s not uncommon for something like this to happen,” says Ray Morales of C.C. Cole Plumbing and Heating in Costa Mesa. “There could be a kink in the line running up to the faucet, or there may be some sediment blocking the angle stop, where the water shuts on and off. If the angle stop is old, it may be falling apart and could need to be replaced.

“Another possibility is that the supply lines that came with the faucet may be smaller than what was on the old faucet. They come in sizes of 3/8, 7/16 and 1/2, and if your new faucet has a 3/8 line and you need 1/2, you’ll have less water coming from the faucet. You could also have sediment blocking the aerator. When working on old plumbing, you’re supposed to remove the aerator before turning the faucet on for the first time and let the sediment that may have broken free while you worked on the water lines flow out. But if the aerator was left on, it can clog. It’s probably best to unscrew the aerator to see if that’s the problem, then check out angle stops.”

Q: I’m planning on building an enclosed patio in my back yard, and I was wondering, how safe is it to use fluorescent lighting outdoors?

T.T.,

Westminster

A: “As long as you have the patio covered by a solid roof, you can use fluorescents,” says Rich Anthony of Modern Electric Fixtures in El Toro. “They’re commonly used outside in carports and other locations where they’re protected from the elements. You’ll also have to use a damp location-approved ballast, because of the moisture it may have to operate in. In most cases, a fluorescent fixture doesn’t ordinarily have that, and you’ll have to order it from the manufacturer.”

Q: I’ve been doing a lot of sanding to prepare our kitchen cabinets to be re-stained, and I seem to go through sandpaper very quickly. Is there a type of paper that will last?

J.A.,

Huntington Beach

A: “There are two types of sandpaper made for wood--garnet and production,” says Richard Dittderner of Ganahl Lumber in Anaheim. “Garnet is what you may be using now. It’s available in finer grits, but it tends to be used up more quickly. Production won’t wear out as quickly, but it’s not available for fine sanding.”