Investigating Easy Plumbing Practices

Easy Ways On How To Do Plumbing Right

Did you know that faulty air chambers might be why you are hearing a hammering sound in your pipes? The noise is known as water hammer and it may mean that water has entered your air chamber. Here are some tips to help you fix your problem.

Keep your plumbing flowing by maintaining a temperature above 32 degrees and wrapping up any exposed pipe works. The pipes will be able to freeze if the temperature surrounding the pipes drops below freezing. In the best case scenario, you will have to wait until they thaw so that the water runs again. However, frozen pipes often burst, causing damage to your home and a hefty repair bill.

If a pipe ever freezes, you need to make sure to shut off the water. This will keep the pipe from bursting and causing you major damage to your home. Make sure to shut the water off at the main valve, and then open the faucet that is closest to the frozen pipe so it can drain while it is thawing out.

In order to avoid unsightly and unnecessary clogs in your shower, invest in a drain strainer. This cost-effective addition to your shower will gather your hair before it makes it to the drain, and limit the chances that you will find yourself showering while standing in a clogged up mess.

Do not let your faucet leak. Did you know a leaky faucet can waste about 150 gallons of water every day? If you have a leak, never ignore it. It could be coming from the faucet or the pipes. Continually check pipes and faucets for extra moisture or small leaks.

Have you tried patching your pipe with the store-bought patching kits only to have that section of your plumbing continue leaking? Replacing the damaged pipe is a more permanent solution than patching. First, you must shut off the main water valve, and drain the water from the damaged section. Cut out the damaged section of the copper pipe, leaving about an inch of extra pipe on both sides of the damaged area. Remove corrosion from inside the pipes with a wire brush. Apply flux to the replacement pipe and the remaining pipe. Slide the piece of replacement pipe into place with couplings. Apply solder all around the joint, and use a propane torch to solder the replacement section into place.

During the winter, preventing frozen pipes when you live in a small dwelling can be something good to know. Frozen pipes will not only stop your flow of water but can crack and damage pipes. By running a little water out of every faucet during the coldest parts of the day, you can avoid this.

Check for floor damage around your toilet. If the floor around your toilet feels softer than the rest of the floor in your bathroom, there's damage you need to address. Straddle your toilet and gently rock foot to foot to see if your floor feels a little weak or soft. You can save money if you notice the problem as soon as possible.

Always keep your garbage disposal clean. You can do this in many ways. Pour some dish soap in and let the disposal run for a few minutes with some cold water. Be sure to run it regularly, if not, it can cause rust. To eliminate foul odors, grind lemon or other citrus peels. You can clean the walls of the disposal by grinding small fruit pits or egg shells.

When getting plumbing quotes for your home, make sure you receive them in writing. Your quote should have the material and labor costs so that both parties know what to expect from the job. If you do not get it in writing, when the job starts, you have nothing to fall back on.

Do not, under any circumstances, put lemons down your disposal. Although the lemon smell will give your disposal a great smell, its acid can corrode the metal parts in it. Instead, use products that are made specifically for this use. You can purchase these products at most hardware stores or wherever cleaning products are sold.

Ask before the plumber comes out if they charge for the consultation. In order to quote a project, the plumber has to come out to inspect your particular issue. It is standard to charge for the consultation appointment but the prices can vary wildly. Ask upfront so that you aren't surprised by the total.

If the drain stack for your washing machine overflows, try snaking it with a standard pipe snake. Occasionally, lint or other small items from the washing machine can build up in the pipe, causing it to clog or back up.

Check to make sure that the walls behind the tiles in your bathroom are not soft. Push into the tiles to confirm that the foundation is firm and robust. If the area is delicate and brittle, there is a good chance that water has created damage behind the tiles over time.

To conserve hot water each day, run your dishwasher late at night. This will help to maintain an adequate water level for your guests and for your chores in the morning or afternoon. Also, you can increase the supply of water available to you for cooking meals throughout the day.

If you are not able to shut off a main valve to your home before you leave for vacation, shut off the individual valves under the sinks and behind the toilets. Be sure that the valves are in good working order before you make the mistake of turning one that is ready to be broken at any time.

If your pipes are copper, they may slightly expand when hot water flows through them. The pipe hangers will no longer be adapted to the size of the pipes. This could result in grinding and damages to the plumbing system. You can wrap your pipes with tape so it stays in the hanger.

When the temperature drops below freezing, protect exposed pipes from the weather by adding a source of heat near the pipes. Ranging from electrical tape applied directly to the pipes to small space heaters placed near exposed pipes, keeping the temperature above freezing can prevent costly repairs caused by frozen pipes.

Doing your own plumbing ensures that if anything happens to it, you can fix it. Similar to taking care of your family, it is really important that you take care of your plumbing system. So, do yourself a favor and do your research and apply the above tips to check here your plumbing jobs.

Victoria plumbing company installs free hot water tanks for veterans in annual draw

A Vancouver Island plumbing company has found a unique way to give back to veterans: giving thanks by giving tanks.

Every Remembrance Day, Wade Roberts Plumbing holds a draw and selects three former members of the Canadian Forces to receive free hot water tanks, and each tank has a story.

Zack Jilg is a plumber and gas fitter for the company, and he was one of the driving forces behind the idea.

Jilg's best friend, Private Chadwick James Horn, was killed in Afghanistan in September 2008. Each of the free hot water tanks the company installs also comes with a plaque honouring the memory of a fallen Canadian soldier.

RELATED STORIES

'I just lost it': Oak Bay veteran credits Wounded Warriors with saving his life

Century-old war medal returned to B.C. family, with new details on how it was earned

Jilg made sure he was the one to install the tank bearing Horn's plaque.

"He was really charismatic," Jilg said of his fallen friend.

"He boosted my confidence in myself. I owe a lot to him."

Owner Wade Roberts says he knows hot water tanks are expensive and that they can make a difference in people's lives.

"Somebody who may be on a fixed income may find that a tough pill to swallow," he said.

The plumbing company plans to hold the draw every Remembrance Day. Anyone can submit a vet's name to the company year-round to enter the draw.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1X3j2dUMkQqZ4ImAJ3qmoXo7Yp3HIN9bCIShITqsPUPg/edit?usp=sharing