Home Plumbing Tips that Everyone Should Know
Everyone should have a basic knowledge of how to perform plumbing tasks and how the plumbing in their home works.
06/07/2018
Everyone should have a basic knowledge of how to perform plumbing tasks and how the plumbing in their home works. This ensures that when you have a minor plumbing issue you won’t have to shell out the big bucks in order to have a professional come out and fix your plumbing, and you can save your money for when you really need a plumber’s aid. Plumbing is an easily understandable task if one just takes some time to learn the basics.
The first thing to keep in mind is that you need to know when it is time to call in the professionals in order to help you with your problems. When you live somewhere like Florida, you will face a lot of issues that need professional attention such as water damage. However, there are definitely going to be some issues that you are able to face on your own, and here are some tips on how to do that:
Fixing Leaky Faucets
Most of the time leaky faucets are caused by loose handles. The first thing that you should do if you are faced with a leaky faucet is tighten the handles, by screwing in the area around the handles. However, if this doesn’t work then you will have to turn to other options in order to fix the leaky faucet. Remember to turn off the water supply to the faucet when you have to delve deeper than just tightening the handles.
After that, the best bet is to disassemble your faucet and replace any parts that are getting old and rusty. These are usually the cause of the leak. Record yourself taking apart the sink on your phone or camera so that you don’t forget how to put it back together. While you are in there, clean out any debris that is caught in the faucet, and then once you put it back together your sink will be good as new!
Snaking a Drain
You may think that snaking a drain is something that only professionals can do, but if you purchase the correct tools then you won’t have to call in a professional for even the most stubborn clogged drains. You can buy a snaking tool at any local hardware store, which is recommended, or if you are feeling thrifty then you can try using a wire hanger with a hook at the end. All you have to do is just stick the hanger or snaking tool as far down the drain as it will go, twist it, and pull out all of the gunk that is stuck in your drain.
Another great DIY method for unclogging drains is to pour some warm water, baking soda, vinegar, and then more warm water once it stops fizzing down the drain. This will help to break up the particles in your drain and clear it in a cheap way with ingredients that you already have at home.
Knowing the Difference Between PVC and CPVC
It may seem like they are the same, but there actually is a difference between PVC and CPVC. CPVC is much tougher and more durable than PVC pipes. CPVC is like PVC’s cousin - they are the same base material but the difference between the two is that CPVC has a higher chlorine content. CPVC is also able to withstand higher temperatures, which is why a lot of buildings now require that CPVC be used for their hot water pipes. PVC can only withstand up to 140 degrees while CPVC can stand up to 200 degrees. CPVC came after PVC as a stronger alternative to the already strong piping.
Summary
Knowing what to do with your plumbing in the case of a minor issue is just as important as knowing when there is a serious issue that requires the help of a professional plumber. With these helpful tips you can avoid shelling out the big bucks on services that you can do yourself!