Plumbing has a very important presence in our homes. It provides us with our daily dose of water requirements. We need water to wash ourselves, our clothes, cook food and for other purposes. We are dependent on water for our survival and plumbing helps us to make good use of it. For many people understanding plumbing is a mystery. It should not be so. Water takes its own course and you have to understand its source and where it goes. A good service company will come in handy when you need to fix your plumbing issues. But you can learn a few plumbing basics that can help you fix your water issues and also save you money. In this article we will give you a rundown on some plumbing basics that everyone should know.
Know the water’s source:
First of well you should know the source of water supply to your home. Generally, the water should be coming from a well, a city main water pipe line or a private pump. A well is more common in a rural setting but for cities it is either the main water pipe line or a private pump.
Identify water and sewer lines:
It is a good idea to identify and locate the water and sewer pipe lines coming to and from your house. You can get your city’s water department’s help in this regard. They will know where the pipes are headed to and from where. It should concern you because you will know where to look for in case of any water related emergency.
Test your water quality:
You should keep an eye on the quality of water being supplied to your house. You can test its quality by using water testing kits available in the market. You can also get it tested from a lab. The results will tell you how healthy the water is and it can also reveal a lot about the health of the water pipes running in your home. Excessive rust or other impurities in the pipes can ruin the water quality and you might want to replace them.
Main Water valve:
You should be familiar and aware of the main water valve of your house. In case of a water related emergency, you should be able to turn it off. It is usually in the shape of wheel or a lever. It can be located anywhere in and around your house or in your basement.
Water Pressure:
Like water quality it is equally important to check the water pressure on a regular basis. Low water pressure can point to many problems. There could be clogged pipes along the way or the faucets need to be cleaned or replaced. You can check the water quality yourself using the required tools or ask your water company to test it for you.
Look for leaks:
Water leaks can be very annoying. They can damage your carpets, furniture, walls etc. You should always be wary of them. Keep monitoring the pipes on a regular basis. You can ask a professional who can inspect them for you and identify which pipes need to be changed. Always keep the taps and faucets closely tightened to avoid leakage.
Keep checking your attic:
Attics are normally not inspected on a regular basis. And it is there most plumbing and water related issues are usually found. It is advisable that you pay a visit to your attic every now and then. Look for any signs of water around the chimney, vents and the joints of pipes. In case you spot a problem seek help immediately.
Cut-off valves:
There are individual cut-off valves provided for every kind of water-using appliances. You can find them behind, underneath or close to the water-appliance. You can turn them off to fix a water related issue of a particular appliance without having to turn off the main water supply valve.
Toilet plunger:
For cleaning your toilet, it is recommended you use a toilet plunger. There are specially designed plungers available in the market for this purpose. Use the one with a large hood and extended flange. Put the plunger in the hole of the toilet and thrust it several times. This should produce suction to create pressure that will keep your toilet clog free.
Leaky faucets:
If your faucets are dripping you must get them fixed. Sometimes the issue is not that difficult to resolve. There are rubber seals inside the faucet, called O rings or washers. They need to replaced. You can change them on your own or ask a Frisco plumber to do it for you. In any case, leaky faucets need to be fixed at the earliest.
Unclog your kitchen sink:
The sinks in the kitchen tend to clog often. This is because when we wash our dirty plates some residues of the oil and grime gets deposited in the pipes. Sometimes the leftover food is carelessly washed down too. You can use the clog opening liquids available in stores or make one at home using a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.
Monitor your water bill:
A jump in your water bill could indicate a water leakage somewhere or a toilet which is constantly running. Try to find the cause and fix the issue so that water leakage is stopped and your bill gets back to normal.
PVC and CPVC pipes:
Familiarize yourself with PVC and CPVC pipes. PVC is used to supply regular or cold water and CPVC is preferred where hot water is supplied. You should know this difference. Whenever you need to buy a pipe choose the one that suits your needs.
Conclusion:
These are some of the plumbing basics that everyone should be aware of. A basic knowledge of plumbing would help you in understanding and resolving many waters related issues. You can negotiate with a plumber in a better way if you know the basics yourself.
