Monday, May 31, 2010

How To Use Plumbing Tapes And Sealants To Seal Hoses And Pipes

When embarking on a plumbing project, be sure that you seal the pipes and hoses well. It might be harder than you think. Do read up on how it can be done. However, it is also very important to make sure you have the appropriate tools.

Never use a sealant that is not designed for what you are doing. Use plumber's putty to seal the sink flanges of a garbage disposal unit. There are types of special wax or grease sealants that are suitable to be used on the base of the toilet. Shower pipes and spouts should be sealed with caulking, and the list goes on from there.

Most will learn from their mistake of utilizing the wrong sealant for certain jobs. Do not substitute PVC Pipe glue when instructions ask for plumber's putty. If you use these things rather than Teflon plumber's tape on hoses, you will never be able to remove it should you ever decide to replace the hoses.

Be sparing but not stingy. It's also important to use the right amounts. For example, a ¼ inch bead of plumber's putty is sufficient to seal around a sink. Too much of it will certainly mean that more cleaning up is needed. If insufficient amounts are used, water will leak under the sink.

Remove the excess but make sure not too much is removed. Too much sealant will tend to crack and tear after it hardens. Using your finger or a damp sponge, lightly wipe away any extra and you should be fine. In addition, ascertain that all smears are removed before they are dry.

Do not stingy about the use of Teflon plumber's tape. It is uncommon to use too much, but in some cases, it can create gaps for water to seep through. Because it is relatively malleable it can be difficult even if you want to overdo it. You want to ensure that not too much is being used as it can make it near to impossible to fit the new pipes or hose back on.

Wind it in the proper direction. If you are handling hoses, the direction is not a problem, however if you are threading pipes, direction will matter. If it's not done correctly, the tape will twist off. The tail of the tape should be facing the direction you will be threading onto it. It will create a seal that us tight as the tape will extend in the similar direction as the pipe while the pipe is being threaded. If the tape is facing the opposite direction, the seal will not be tight.

Avoid torn ends. Do not tear or bite the tape off using your teeth. It can seem like a good idea if you are working in a cramped space that is hard for you to move around. This can lead to stretching and tearing of the ends. If the tape is stretched too much before it is threaded on the pipe, it will not seal correctly.

If the tape is cut cleanly, it will set in the threads better and not leave any ridges that could cause leaks. This should be done on the front and back of the tape. If you have ridges, you will create small openings for water to escape from.

If you utilize the appropriate sealant for the job and follow instructions faithfully, your project should be free from leaks.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Clogged Drains and Blockages - Plumbers Help You to Repair Your Own Clogged Drains

Clogged and blocked drains can ruin your plumbing system very quickly. Calling in the plumbers will give you the help you need, but this can be very expensive. They have the latest technology available, but that is not always what is necessary to unclog your drains and blockages to your plumbing system. Your goal may just be to unclog the drains without using harsh or dangerous chemicals. Remember that the professionals are there to help. However, many people prefer to try to unclog and unblock their own drains first, before calling in the experts.

It may seem like your drains in the kitchen and bathroom get clogged on a regular basis. We can recommend some green ways to keep your drains open, without using powerful industrial chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. These industrial products usually contain acid, lye, or other chemicals, and can be dangerous in many ways - including your wastewater system, the PVC pipes, as well as to your health.

You may want to use a more gentle and natural approach to keeping your drains from getting clogged. Many health food stores now carry natural cleaners that are bacteria based enzyme cleaners. Pouring a cup of baking soda down your drain will also work in many cases, if followed by pouring three or four cups of boiling water down the drain immediately afterward. This works as long as water has not yet begun to back up in your drain. This is effective because the chemical composition of the baking soda is then changed by the boiling water, which makes it more alkaline.

Your toilets, showers, laundry areas, and sinks can easily become clogged for a whole variety of reasons. Sometimes the drain may become sluggish, but will not be completely clogged. Before you call in the plumbers, try running the hot water for about ten or fifteen minutes. Many times you will find that this will open the drain, at least partially. Sometimes you can also remove the basket strainer from a sink's drain, and then carefully use a plunger to open up the clogged drain completely.

When a fixture such as your sink, tub, or toilet will not drain properly, or has become very slow to drain, you know there is a drain blockage somewhere in your plumbing system. No matter what the problem turns out to be, it must be repaired quickly to avoid further plumbing problems. Try the do-it-yourself methods described here to see if that will solve your problem.

If you are not pleased with the results of your own efforts at unclogging your drains and blockages, it may be time to call in the experts. They will also check your entire plumbing system to make sure you do not have a bigger problem that may need attention.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Major Benefits of Pex Tubing

Pex is an abbreviated form of cross linked polyethylene which in itself is described as polyethylene having cross links. Pex plumbing is mainly used in domestic water piping, hydronic radiant heating systems and for insulation for electrical cables. For extensive usage it is used for offshore oil application, natural gas, transportation of slurries and sewage and chemical transportation.

Pex is an alternate choice for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The sizes of the PEX ranges generally from ¼ inch to 4 inch, the widely used PEX sizes are ½ inch, 1 inch and ¾ inch.

Advantages of using PEX

• PEX is basically used for hot and cold water usage and it can be made adaptable to PVC and copper.

• PEX is very flexible and so it can be bent into a radius of 4 inch for 3/8 inch pipe and 5 inch radius for ½ inch pipe.

• It requires fewer fittings there is less breakage or leaking point.

• Since the pex tubing being flexible it can expand or contract on its own and there is a less chance for bursting.

• Since this form of tubing comes with kit repairing set, its usage is also simple.

• All typical fittings such as elbows, shutoffs etc. are available in pex tubing.

Installation

To install this kind of plumbing there are two methods namely compression and insertion. Compression involves more work as compared to insertion. PEX comes in rolls of 100ft or general 10ft length. Pex fittings under this kind of method are generally used for buried projects or for the interiors. Pex plumbing generally has freeze damage resistant property and requires no extra insulation. It is for this reason that this type of plumbing are perceived quite ideal for water plumbing.

People who are into the plumbing or tubing business mainly employ PEX for the plumbing purposes. The good thing about the PEX tubing is it lasts for a very long period. This tubing is not only used in household but is also used in offices as well. Further, it also has chlorine resistant property as well and so it makes drinking water much safer.

PEX has high density polyethylene polymer that makes the tubes stronger and long lasting as compared to the tubes that are made of copper, plastic, iron and lead.

Pex fittings come in different sizes and colors. The two main colors that are commonly used are red for hot water and blue for cold water. These fittings are suitable for those places where the temperature mostly remains freezing point. Besides, these kinds of fittings can also withstand high temperature up to 200 degree Fahrenheit or 93.3 degree Celsius.

In a nutshell it can be said that pex tubing is always beneficial for the people in terms of cost and time management.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Do Your Own Plumbing - Home Renovations Tips

The most expensive part of your new house is the plumbing. By the time you have run the hot water pipes and the cold water pipes and bought all the fixtures you have spent the most of any other part of the house. So it is wise in the planning stage to try and group your plumbing all relatively close together. It seems a bit silly to have a massive house and an en suite located way over on one corner all on it's own. You have to run cold water pipes to it and hot water pipes to it and waste water pipes away from it. Makes that one little room very expensive.

That being said, you will probably find that one must be a licensed plumber in most places to be able to install plumbing to a house. However, if you are just going to install an outside kitchen say, outside at your BBQ or something similar you may be able to do it yourself. Or if you have that cabin at the lake and you need some extra plumbing installed it is not difficult if you follow a few guidelines

The cold water is relatively easy to plumb with the easy to use 1/2" pipes and fittings available these days. It does pay to use the plastic piping if you are an amateur. These come with all the fittings you will need and just glue together. You can cut your plastic piping to length with a simple hack saw and glue it all together. Make sure you clean your cut inside and out side with some fine sandpaper to make sure all the burs are removed and to enable the glue to hold properly. Some products come with a solvent that you use to clean your joint before gluing. You can cut and lightly put together your pipe to make sure it is right before you glue it. T 's and straight joints and elbows in 90 degrees and 45 degrees mean you can make your plumbing fit anywhere. When you want to fit a tap say, there is the appropriate fitting that has attachments to fit to the wall and a threaded end for the tap to screw into. Use thread tape here as you normally would and you have a top job.

The hot water is best in 1/2" copper pipe and you don't need the gas and fittings that the plumbers use. There is screw up fittings you can use so with a couple of wrenches you can soon have your hot water in. You will need a tube cutter for giving your pipe a neat cut so that the fittings will be leak free. There is the same range of fittings as the cold piping so you can plumb anywhere. One advantage of copper is that it is flexible and you can bend it a little to get a better fit. Make sure all your pipes are held securely with brackets quite often so you don't get that knocking when the tap is turned on.

Your waste plumbing is done in 4" sewer pipe which feeds into the sewerage. Your other fixtures will feed into that in their relative sizes. Toilets are plumbed straight into the 4" sewer pipe while baths and sinks and showers etc. are in 2" pipe and have to be reduced to go into the sewer pipe. The exception is the bathroom vanity sink which is usually 1 1/2" pipe. All this piping is in the easy to use plastic so you can cut it with a fine hand saw and glue it together with same tools as the cold water pipe. Once you get into it it is really quite fun and very satisfying to see your plumbing all working. Make sure you do a water leak test before you put all your tools away as you may need to tighten a joint or two.

So there you go. Pretty easy really. Have a go and you will find that you will enjoy it.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Most Common Plumbing Problems

Defective Toilet Flush

The first thing you will notice upon your assessment is a loosen flush handle. A working flush handle will produce a slight resistance or pressure upon pushing it down. Check the top tank and install this again for a quick fix. If this doesn't work, check of there is anything obstructing form the inside of the tank. Check the other parts regularly as it may need replacement or re- installment. Again if this does not fix your problem, consult with a plumbing service to save you from a more serious damage.

Clogged Drain

A common plumbing issue is a clogged drain. This is usually caused by the accumulation of waste products that eventually slows down the flow of fluids from the sink. Such waste products could be debris from the buildup of grease or food. Usually, the drain has some protective part for this kind of problem. After you have tried all possible means for this problem and if you assessed that there is already a long- term accumulation of debris in your drain, you might want to consider having your plumbing system checked.

In your bathroom drain, accumulated hair strands and soap chips may cause the drain to be clogged. To prevent too much build up of wastes, place a hair trap on the drain and check it regularly. Most plumbers such as the Provo Plumber suggest that homeowners should try all possible solutions first before consulting with a professional plumbing service. One common step is to use a plunger.

If this does not work and the drain is still clogged, you may use a chemical cleaner but bear in mind not to use a plunger after pouring it into the drain. This may result to splashing of the chemicals and may end up to a more serious problem. Be careful not to mix the chemicals because it may react rapidly. Be cautious after pouring the chemicals as it may produce gases. From these steps, the clogs will eventually dissolve and free the obstruction from the drain. If this does not happen, try calling for a professional plumbing service to assist you.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Most Common Residential Plumbing Problems

Almost all households have plumbing and drainage systems in place. And when problems arise, home owners often try to solve these issues by themselves. Although some problems can be handled by the average person, there will come times when it will still be best to call in professional plumbers to handle the situation. These residential plumbers can solve all plumbing issues with their expertise.

Homes in Reading, Berkshire are no different. Thus, it is essential to have reliable plumbers in Reading. Many Reading plumbers are trained to handle most, if not all household plumbing concerns. These residential plumbers are competent, and ready to assist.

Bathroom plumbing is the reason for most plumbing calls. Bathrooms have the most plumbing installations compared to other rooms in a home.

1. Toilets
Toilet clogs and toilet leaks are probably the two most common home plumbing problems. Easy fixes to these include the (almighty) plunger, and cement seals. Although most times these two solve most bathroom plumbing problems; sometimes it is best to call in a professional to ensure a clog or leak will not happen again.

2. Bathtubs and showers
Showers can sometimes be clogged, usually this means dirt, foreign materials, or other minerals have accumulated in the pipe and have to be removed. A reliable plumber in Reading can help dissolve the elements causing the clog.

3. Bad odor
It is not unusual for a bathroom to succumb to odor issues; be it from the toilet or bathroom drainage. This can be caused by burst pipes and dried up pipes.

4. Slow draining of water
Impeded drains are caused by various foreign objects in a bathrooms piping. Most often human hair is the culprit, but other things also contribute; such as soap scum, and bodily fats and grease. These cause slow draining of water and other liquids in the bathroom.

The next room to the bathroom that plumbers frequent is the kitchen. And the usual suspect is the sink. Any expert plumber in Reading can help you take care of kitchen plumbing problems.

1. Clogging
The clogged sink is the closest relative to the clogged toilet. Accumulated foreign objects blocking the drainage pipe underneath the sink often hinder the water from properly draining.
2. Imbalanced water pressure
When someone turns on the tap in the kitchen and the water in the bathroom stops, it is a bad problem. These imbalances are caused by poorly installed plumbing systems, and it is advisable to call a home plumber to check the lines.
3. Leaks
The kitchen is also susceptible to leaks, just like the bathroom. Although home owners have the option of plugging the leaks themselves, it is still advisable to have an expert check it out to make sure the leaks will not return.
These two rooms usually take the brunt of plumbing jobs. Finding someone who can effectively take care of these problems in a timely manner is essential. You may call someone in only to find that person to be a plumber reading a manual in the middle of work. It is best to find a professional, insured, reliable plumbing service in Reading to handle your plumbing at home.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

How to Fix a PVC Pipe With Water Gushing Out

Down here in Florida, and I guess this would be true for other places in the south, where it never gets cold enough, long enough to freeze water pipes, a very unusual practice takes place. At least it's unusual to me, because I grew up in Michigan, where all pipes that have any kind of water in them must be buried under the frost line, and that is 4'6" where I'm from, deeper if you go further north.

The unusual practice that I speak of is, having the feed for lawn sprinkler systems exposed above the ground. Let me explain, the feed for this is usually a 1" PVC pipe that rises about 2' above the ground with a 90 degree elbow, then a short piece of PVC with a threaded coupling, this threaded coupling goes into a 1" brass ball valve, next there are back to back 1" cast iron backflow preventer's with strainers, then back into a 1" brass ball valve another short piece of PVC a 90 degree elbow and finally back in to the ground where it will usually go to the garage to a water management timer and from there it feeds the sprinkler system.

Now think about this for a moment. We have these two 1" PVC pipes sticking up from the ground holding up about 30 pounds of cast iron and brass components. I don't know who the genius is that thought of this, but it seems to be the standard for these systems here. The first house I lived in when I moved down here, this set up was right in the middle of the backyard. Pretty easy to spot when mowing the lawn, but it looked pretty ugly as well. The next house I moved to, it was tucked away in the back corner of the yard, out of the way behind the shed.

In the spring time down here we get a lot of rain and vegetation grows very fast, my weed wacker was broke and it had been a week or so since I had trimmed the yard. So I'm out there cutting the lawn on my riding lawn mower, which I had just bought a couple of months ago, because it is too damn hot and humid to be trying to push mow anything down here, and I was making my first pass around the backyard. as I passed behind the shed I knew that the sprinkler pipe was in this area but couldn't see it because the vegetation had grown up and hid it from my sight. I thought that I had given plenty of room and went right by. I don't think I moved ten feet when I could feel water landing on my back. I knew immediately what I had done. I pulled the tractor up another twenty feet, so it wouldn't get soaked and shut it off.

When I turned around I almost couldn't believe my eyes, water was shooting up into the air 15-20 feet. The first thing I thought of was to shut one of the ball valves, which was a great idea except for the fact that the pipe was broke before the valves and they were lying on the ground. At first the water felt kinda cold but after a couple minutes I was getting pretty used to it. I was really amazed at the water pressure coming out of that pipe. Being a pipe fitter I looked in my stuff to see if I had anything to cap this geyser off with, but I work on steel pipe and couldn't find anything. so I ran up to the hardware store and purchased a 1' PVC cap and some PVC primer and glue.

So the first thing that I wanted to do was to square off the end of the pipe that had been broken. I got out my 1/2" x 1-1/2" pipe cutter and cut it off about a foot above the ground. I then filed the end of the pipe so the cap would slip on to it nice and easy. Now keep in mind that the whole time that I'm doing this I am getting a steady stream of water dumped on my head, because it's shooting straight up in the air and coming right down on me. Not only that, there is now about 4 inches of water built up on the ground.

Alright, my pipe is cut an cleaned, so I put the primer on the pipe and then in the cap an then the glue on both. I then force the cap down onto the pipe and hold it with my hand in my crotch and applying all my weight on it. The water stops squirting out and I hold this position for about a minute, till my hand just couldn't take it anymore. I slowly start to take my weight off of the cap and then move away, thinking whew, glad thats over. I took maybe two steps backward and poof, the cap pops off and flies about 30 feet into the air and water is gushing everywhere again. Just about this time my wife comes out and says "maybe we should call a plumber". HAHA very funny.

After I found the cap, I saw that it had only gone onto the pipe about a quarter inch. Maybe the water was messing with the glue. so I cleaned everything back up and had her hold the other pipe, the one that had broken with the 90 on it, so it would shoot the water away from me and the pipe so the glue wouldn't get wet. At least I'm not the only one getting wet now. I reprimered and glued the pipe and cap. Once again I tried to force that cap back onto the pipe, but the pressure was just too strong and I just couldn't get it to stay. I again heard that little voice "maybe you should call a plumber". I am not paying someone $90 an hour to fix this when I know I can do it myself. Just then, it hits me, and I think to myself you idiot, you sure wouldn't fix this, like this at work.

So I head back up to the hardware store make my purchase and hurry home. By this time there is probably 6 inches of water on the ground and my wife says do you need my help? Nope I got it. I clean the pipe off one last time and apply the primer and glue to the pipe and the PVC ball valve I had just purchased from the hardware store. with the valve in the open position I slip it onto the pipe and make a quarter turn and hold it in place for about a minute. When I'm sure the glue has set I simply closed the valve and my nightmare was over. I purchased a ten foot piece of PVC pipe, three 90s, one straight slip coupling and a couple threaded couplings. It only took about a half an hour to completely rebuild the whole thing, and needless to say I don't let the weeds grow up that high back there anymore.

I hope that this story has helped you. I know that I could have just told you from the beginning what to do, but I think you'll remember it better this way.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Safety on the Go - Portable Water Filtration

Portable water filtration devices allow those of us who are not interested in living our lives inside the few walls of our homes a safe option when we go out. No one wants to worry about their health when going on a simple camping trip, or any other outing that is supposed to be fun, but with concerns about water safety on your mind that is exactly what happens. Water borne diseases are prevalent now, and will not abate with the carelessness inherent in so many all over the world. With this in mind, protecting your water supply from contamination is tantamount to protecting yourself.

A portable water filter is exactly what it sounds like, it is a water filter that you can carry with you when you are hiking or camping, to purify the water you plan on using there. It removes lead, chlorine, mercury, bacteria and parasites from the water you pump through it, allowing you to rest easy that you are not going to pick up a disease from these untreated rivers or streams that you so enjoy seeing.

Now I am sure you are asking yourself, why should I filter that water rather than carrying bottled water or chlorine tablets instead? There are bacteria and parasites that chlorine tablets will not kill, so using them will not give you a 'safe' glass of water, nor will it do anything for the bad taste the chloride leaves behind. Bottled water might be fine for a day trip, but staying overnight means carrying a huge supply, which can get quite costly, especially if you enjoy the outdoors and spend as much time as you can there.

What is more, all bottled water is not created equal, some is more healthy than others and some is not healthy at all. There are no real standards set for its purification, and bottled water is put into plastic containers, which are being churned out to destroy the environment while we drink through one bottle and the next.

On the other hand the long term expenditure, portable water filtration, can eliminate the bad taste associated with chlorine tablets, get rid of those heavy metals that can be dangerous, and the rest of the contaminants present in outdoor sources of water. Even better, you won't have to put up with the odor that turns your stomach before the water passes your lips. Whichever way you look at it, there is no replacement for pure natural drinking water and once you put water in your portable filter, you get just that!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Los Angeles Plumbers - Clogged Drains in the Kitchen and Bathroom Call For Plumbing Experience

When you have a clogged drain, it may seem like your entire house is off balance. Whether it is a clogged sink, in the kitchen or bathroom, a clogged toilet, or a clogged drain in the shower or tub, plumbing repairs need to be handled as soon as possible.

Many people attempt to unclog their own drains when a problem arises. Whereas this may solve the problem temporarily, in the long run it will be best to contact professional plumbers to make sure your home and its plumbing system will work properly for the long term.

Excess hair in the bathroom sink, tub or shower is usually to blame when the plumbing becomes clogged. Many people will use a wire coat hangar or other household item to try to pull the hair out of the drain. This usually ends up making a big mess in the bathroom, and the clog will still be there. Using a plunger may also work temporarily, but again you will want to bring in the plumbers to clear everything up and get your pipes back on track.

If the bathroom sink is clogged up, the plumber will get under the sink and remove the trap. The trap is the u-shaped section of pipe under the sink. If they cannot locate the clog in the trap, the plumbers will go further down the line and use a cable auger, more commonly referred to as a snake. This process will not only locate the clog, but clear it out as well. Shower, bathtub, and toilet clogs can also be cleared out in a similar way. In any case, make sure to trust your plumber with these important repairs in your home.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Best Products For Clogged Drains

You can find various products on the market that claim to be the best Products for Clogged Drains. Well, All plumbing systems develop clogs and there is simply no way to avoid it. Still, you can fix most stopped-up sinks and plugged toilets without calling in a plumber. The only things you need to do that are the right tools and a little determination.

If you want to make the best use of the best Products for Clogged Drains, you must first learn how to clear stubborn clogs in a kitchen sink, bathtub, toilet and floor drain. There are many techniques that can help you dislodge virtually any clog.

However, you must keep in mind that if you cannot clear a clog after a few attempts of using the best Products for Clogged Drains, it is always prudent to turn the job over to a drain-cleaning service or licensed plumber. Always remember that exerting too much force can permanently damage a pipe or fixture. Little knowledge is very dangerous. Therefore, put your hand ion this only if you know the procedure and have the confidence that y6ou can do the job successfully without leaving any loose end.

The best Products for Clogged Drains and the specialized plumbing tools used to combat clogs are affordable. You can find them at any hardware store or home center. Some of them are even available on rent. Plunger is one of the best Products for Clogged Drains. This is the tool to reach for when trouble arises.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Common Plumbing Problems in a New Home

There isn't much in the way of testing out your plumbing configuration in new home construction until you move into the house and start to use the water system on a regular basis. When the plumbing is first installed into a new home, it usually undergoes a pressure test to ensure there are no leaks in the system. This is the only test that can be done until the homeowner moves in and contacts the utility company to have the water turned on.

Many times, even though the water lines are pressurized with air, it is not possible to find all the leaks - if they exist. When the water is initially turned on, it can wash any loosely sealed areas of the piping away. Because of this, it is not uncommon for small leaks to be detected in the plumbing after new home construction. In most cases, leaks can occur around threaded joints, but can also occur in glued joints. After the water is turned on for the first time, a plumber can tighten the joints with a standard plumbing wrench to ensure they are tight and not leaking. They may have to use new plumbing sealer to ensure that no further leaks are possible.

In a joint that has already been glued, however, the pipe will have to be cut out and replaced with a new one because there is no way to seal a glued joint without breaking it open. This type of leak is most common in the basement or foundation of the house near the water heater and hot water lines. The water pressure coupled with the heat of the water can lead to this type of leak.

Another common issue with plumbing in new home is with the fixtures. It is important to check over all the water fixtures in a new construction when the homeowner moves in to ensure that plumbers and installers correctly tightened them. It is possible that a faucet or a knob wasn't tightened properly during installation. It is also possible that the plumber may have tightened a fixture too much, causing damage. For this reason, it is imperative that homeowners properly look over any and all faucet, toilet and tub fixtures before they begin regular use.

After your initial inspection of your new home's plumbing system when the water is first hooked up, you should perform another inspection after 30 days. Leaks can sometimes show themselves after a month of regular use. If your plumbing is showing no signs of leaks or problems after 30 days, you can rest assured that your plumbing is in good condition and will last for many years to come. It is always a good idea to perform annual inspections of your pipes to repair any potential problems before they become a larger, more expensive issue.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

The Underground Drain System of a House

The underground drain system of a house takes the waste from soil pipes and gullies to the main public sewer (if the house is on mains drainage) or to a septic tank or cesspool (if mains drainage is not available).

The layout of underground drains is rather less standardised than that of above-ground soil and waste pipes, and because it is hidden it is a little more difficult to trace.

Here there are just two connections to the drain one at the foot of the soil pipe and one from the gully. There is no trap at the base of a single-stack waste pipe (or at the base of the WC soil pipe in a two-pipe system); the gully has a trap incorporated in it and so do pipes carrying waste from fittings other than the WC in a two-pipe system. To gain access to the drains in order to clear any blockages - there are inspection chambers. These are sited near the connection with the soil-stack, where the drain turns a right-angle at the side of the property, and at the boundary of the properly.

In most cases these drains do not carry rain-water - sewers and sewage plants would have to be made much bigger if they did. Instead the rain-water either from the gutters and rain¬water pipes or from the surface-water drains in a drive, say - is carried through a separate set of drains either to a public surface-water drain, or to a soakaway in the grounds of the house. A house may have a soakaway even if the foul drains are connected to a main sewer.

A different drain layout is often used when there is a group of houses together. There is only one connection to the sewer, and from this runs a communal drain through the back gardens of all the properties. The individual house drains are connected to this communal drain. This clearly saves money and effort when several houses are being built at the same time but because the responsibility for the drain is shared, there can be more headaches for the householders when something goes wrong.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Avoiding Mistakes For Do-It-Yourselfers - Drain Clearing

The other day I was in a popular home improvement center picking up some irrigation parts for our house, when I was ease dropping on a conversation between an older man and one of the stores representatives. The man explained to the so-called in house plumbing expert that he had a clogged drain and was looking for a product that could be poured into the drain and solve his problems.

They were both standing in front of the liquid plumber selection of fine products(that was a joke). What product do you recommend the older man asked. The do-it-yourselfer plumbing expert answered by pointing to a product that he recommended, this seems to do a pretty good job at clearing drains. The older man, having been around the block before, a little more educated than he was a few years ago, from his previous purchases of a product that claimed to perform a task, but didn't.

If this was a young man or woman, I would have waited until the home improvement specialist left the area and then, I would've explained who I was, and my experience with a few of these products. However, I felt that this man, who looked like he was in his late 60s or early 70s, should've known better. I chose the let him help the economy with his purchase. I guess in a sense, I was doing my good deed for the day.

Their conversation soon ended as the in-house plumbing expert left to advise another customer, hopefully on something that he actually knew something about. The older gentleman selected a different product and quickly scaned the area to make sure that the person who had assisted him wasn't around as he scampered off in a hurry.

Here's a quick tip on how to avoid mistakes as a do-it-yourselfer. Don't assume that liquid drain cleaning products will solve your problem. Try not to get caught up in your home improvement advisers solution to your problem. I have watched them sell products to unsuspecting customers and even had them try to sell me something that didn't work.

I personally, have never had any luck unclogging any drain pipes with any liquid drain cleaner. I don't know if my message is loud and clear here and hope that anyone who has gotten this far, reading the article will not believe everything that they read, because the book or product says professional plumbing expert or listen to someone because they're wearing a shirt that says ask me, I'm a home improvement expert.

If you choose to ignore my advice, know this, you will be forever doomed to repeat the mistakes that others have made before you.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

How to Fix Septic Tank Problems

As people begin to move away from City centres in search of a more peaceful and fulfilling life, the requirement on providing your own essential services is increasing. One of the most common self maintained services is the use of a septic tank to look after the home or property's sewerage. Unfortunately, many things with septic tanks can go wrong and it is crucial to be on top of the septic tank problems so you know how to affectively prevent any outages which might cause unforeseen interruptions and expensive costs to family life.

The easiest and simplest way to determine whether you have a problem with your septic system is to pay attention to when your drains start to gurgle and the water is draining a lot slower than usual. When this starts to happen you really need to take action before your septic tank problem gets out of hand. With the right advice and information from industry professionals you can solve this issue and stop any costly damage from occurring.

The next place to track down and problems you might have with your septic system is to look for an unusually soggy area in the drain field. The drain field is the area where pipes, surrounded in gravel, displace the treated water.

You must also be vigilant to weird or foul smelling odours coming from the drain field that weren't usually there. The microbes in the septic tank will keep these odours at bay when alive and functioning as they should be so if the smell is overwhelming or starting to change then you might have a septic system problem that is causing them to die prematurely. You will need to seek advice of professionals to fix the problem.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Why Plumbers Are Very Important

When you find yourself faced with a leaky faucet or pipe, generally you will look for plumbers to fix the problem for you. They are able to offer you a great service that is so important when you are facing some serious plumbing issues.

However, there are a lot of people today that actually take these plumbers for granted because they are not actually a service that someone needs on a daily basis.

Plumbers are great to fixing the plumbing issues that you may not be able to fix on your own. They will be able to offer to you a wealth of knowledge and a wide variety of special tools that you may never see anywhere else. All of these great tools will be able to fix any problem plumbing anywhere in your home.

One of the most common problems that plumbers are called in for would be issues with your toilets or sinks. There are a lot of people that opt to use a plunger instead when their toilet is plugged but, this can actually lead to worse problems. Instead let your local plumber become your greatest hero because lets face it no one can go without an operable toilet in their home. With their special tools they will have the ability to unclog any stubborn clogs that come their way.

Problems with your sinks are also just as important as the toilet. You may find that you have a huge clog within your sink that is not able to fixed with any of the conventional methods. Also people have been known to lose things of great value down those pipes and despair because they feel they will never see them again. Well guess what your plumber will be able to retrieve all those valuables and keep your pipes in great working order as well.

Another important reason why you should consider hiring a plumber would be to install any piping you may need. Without the proper installation of pipes in our homes and businesses we would not be able to enjoy the basic sanitary pleasures that you enjoy today. Also, you would not have the pleasure of having clean running water in your home without these pipes.

Without all the modern piping of today you would find yourself having to drink out of wells and using the outhouses of years gone by. Both of these methods are a lot less convenient and even more unsanitary. Although there are still people of today that uses these methods more people actually prefer to use the pleasures of piping today.

So as you can see a plumber is actually important to your day to day living. However, alot of plumbers are getting bad reputations because they are not needed daily. But, now that you have read this lets hope you realize that they provide a very valuable service to today's society. Without your plumber you would not be able to enjoy all the comforts of today. Also if there are any problems you would have to deal with them on your own which does not always work.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Preventing Toilet Clogs

The sight of water rising instead of falling in the basin of a toilet shortly after flushing strikes fear in the hearts of many people. This sad sight means that the toilet sewage line has somehow become clogged. The first course of action in a situation like this is usually to grab the plunger and fish it around the bottom of the toilet looking for the toilet drain.

Then most people will give a few half-hearted plunges in a meek effort to dislodge any blockages while making sure not to splash dirty toilet water anywhere near there body. Some people actually go the the lengths of standing on bathtubs, sinks, or any other bathroom fixture in an effort to keep even the smallest drop of water from landing on their body.

In spite of their best efforts, most people will inevitably be splashed with the dirty water. This combined with the fact that the toilet is still clogged makes the experience all the more unpleasant. So how can you avoid this situation from happening to you in the future? Well aside from dietary changes, here are some simple ways to make sure your toilet remains clog-free.

1. Do not use excessive toilet paper. Many people use huge amounts of toilet paper when using the bathroom and this can lead to blockages forming in the sewage line. Limiting the amount of toilet paper thrown into the toilet basin will help prevent these types of blockages.

2. Do not flush paper towels. Paper towels are made to absorb and are not designed to break down in the same way that toilet paper is. Flushing paper towels in standard toilets is a great way to create a problem.

3. Use a drain cleaner periodically. Periodic use of an industrial strength drain cleaner can help to prevent clogs from forming and make sure your sewage line remains clear.

Follwing these few simple tips can help any home-owner prevent toilet clogs.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

When compared to traditional tanks, tankless water heaters have numerous benefits. Tankless water heaters require less room, last longer, save money, and provide an endless supply of hot water.

Traditional tank style water heaters come in a large variety of sizes and shapes, but if you are using one for your entire home, you can guarantee that it will be quite a bit larger than a tankless water heater. Electric tankless water heaters are usually about the size of a briefcase, while their gas counterparts are approximately the size of a suitcase. With either power source, you are usually looking at saving a considerable amount of space if replacing a traditional tank.

In the past, traditional tank water heaters were built to last. It wouldn't be unusual for a water heater to last twenty years with proper maintenance. Most of the traditional tanks on the market today are lucky if they last the average 8 - 12 years. Due to their lack of water storage, tankless water heaters often last quite a bit longer. Gas powered units will usually last about 15 - 20 years, while their electric counterparts will last 30 - 40 years.

One of the biggest benefits of tankless water heaters is financial. Although tankless usually cost slightly more to purchase than a traditional tank, they quickly make this back and more with their lower operating costs. Compared to a traditional electric tank water heater, a tankless will usually save a homeowner 40 - 50 percent on their water heating bill. When taken over their longer lifespan this savings can add up to a substantial amount.

Larger families are often most impressed with a tankless water heaters ability to provide an endless stream of hot water. In most homes with a traditional tank, the third person to take a shower in the morning either has a shortened or a cold shower as the tank has been depleted and must get up to temperature again. Since tankless water heaters heat the water as it flows through, you can run it for as long as you like, and never have the water go cold.

With their smaller size, longer lifespan, greater efficiency, and ability to produce endless amounts of hot water, tankless water heaters offer a great many benefits over traditional tank water heaters.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Tips to Avoid Common Pipe Problems

We've all heard the horror stories of winter vacationers coming home to a flooded basement! Winter pipe bursts are just one of the many common pipe problems that homeowners may experience. However, many such costly snafus can easily be avoided with a little knowledge and a little bit of regular maintenance. Here are some tips on how you can keep your pipes flowing smoothly.

Toilet Trouble

Too much toilet paper and not enough flushing can easily clog a toilet's pipes. Of course, flushing foreign objects will also have the same effect! If you have very small children, you'll need to be extra vigilant when they use the facilities. Teach them the proper amount of toilet paper to use and explain what will happen if they don't comply. The toilet is for one thing and one thing only: it is not a toy.

Clogs in the Kitchen

Fats are your kitchen pipes' worst enemy. The curved shape of the pipes under your sink make them especially susceptible to the buildup of fatty materials; if you are cooking in the winter months when outside temperatures are frigid, the problem is compounded. Always use strainers in your sinks and make it a rule to never, ever dispose of cooking grease and oils via the drain. No matter how vigilant you are, however, there will always be a certain amount of greasy soapy residue in the pipes: run hot water for five minutes down the drains periodically, and your pipes should be just fine and your sink back-up free.

Clogs in the Bathtub

Hair and soap will clog up bathtub and sink pipes fairly quickly: the best trick is to prevent their accumulation in the first place. Use a strainer over your bathtub drain, and clean it every time the tub is used. Take the time to pour boiling water down both the sink and tub drains once a month to prevent problems further down in the pipes. Avoid chemical solutions since they can damage pipes.

Bursting Pipes

First, identify which pipes are most likely to freeze: chances are they will be the ones that run along exterior walls on a side of the house that gets little winter sun. Use pipe insulators if possible to avoid freezing, or install electric heating tape. If, for some reason, you cannot reach these pipes, you may wish to leave your sink water dripping on especially cold nights. If you leave on vacation, simply turn off your main water valve.

Many pipe problems can be prevented in the first place if you practice just a little prevention. Serious plumbing problems should be solved by a professional plumber.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

The Reasons Why We Need Licensed Plumbers

When one has issues with leaky faucets or pipes, he or she often will call a plumber if they cannot do the job on their own. They are so convenient to us in our times of piping and plumbing need, but we often do not think this way. People usually forget about how important they are to them, as they believe that they are not important to day-to-day life.

Plumbers are important because they can fix pipes and other pipe-related issues that most people cannot do on their own. Many people would be completely lost without the aid of such a professional. He or she has a wide range of tools and has training in the various plumbing techniques. They may be needed if a shower pipe breaks and starts to spray everywhere. Or they may be called in if the sink pipes suddenly decide to break apart.

A plumber is probably called into houses most often for issues related to people's sinks or toilets. People will try to fix the problem with plungers when their toilets stop flushing, but this does not always solve the problem. A professional, on the other hand, has special tools that he or she can use to fix clogs and various other problems. When a plumber comes in and fixes a big problem like this, he or she can seem like a hero to the affected family. Life without a working toilet isn't too great.

Sinks, as mentioned above, are also important to fix. Clogs in sink drains may be near impossible for ordinary folks to fix on their own. Important items, like wedding rings, may also need to be fished out by plumbers. They can save precious articles like these and will make sure that everything is closed up properly afterward.

Piping can also be installed by plumbers. Without piping, modern society as we know it could not exist. Pipes are so important because they bring water into our homes and businesses and transport waste out of them. They create the sanitary conditions that we know and love. Without them, we also would not have easily accessible, clean water.

Piping makes it so that we do not have to use outhouses and wells anymore, if we choose not to. If someone chooses not to use pipes they do not have to, but they are an extremely important aspect in most of our lives. They make our lives more convenient and sanitary.

Plumbers usually do not get as much credit as they should. They are stereotyped, and yet they are so important for our everyday realities. Without them, we would not live with the conveniences that we have. We would have far more issues than we have today.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Clogged Pipes and Sewage Backup - Do it Yourself Repairs For Your Plumbing System

Sewage backup can be extremely dangerous to your health. If you are experiencing sewage backing up into your toilets, bath tubs, and showers, it is time to call your plumber. Sewage contains germs such as E. coli, Cryptosporidium, Hepatitis A, and Shigella, so it must be cleaned up and the plumbing system repaired immediately.

While you are waiting for the plumbers to arrive, begin to clean up the area with a solution of one cup bleach to every five gallons of water. Keep children, the elderly, and pets away from the area, and wear long pants, eyewear, gloves and boots. Wash your hands afterwards with soap and clean warm water. You can help keep sewage from backing up into your home by limiting the amount of water going down the drain.

It may be a clog between the shower and toilet, or the waste line may be plugged. Whatever the cause, protecting you and your family from harmful waste needs to be your first concern.

Symptoms from being exposed to sewage may include diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, chills, and vomiting. Seek medical attention right away if you experience any of these symptoms.

You must also clean all items and surfaces that were touched by the sewage, including children's toys, by using use one cup of unscented household bleach to every five gallons of water. Throw away items that cannot be washed and cleaned (such as mattresses, stuffed animals, baby toys, and wood cutting boards) and food that may have come in contact with sewage water.

If the sewage backup is in the shower area, try using a snake. A one quarter inch snake that is 25 feet is you best bet. It will move more easily through the line. You may find that the shower trap gets backed up, while the toilet in the same bathroom does not. This is due to the fact that the toilet trap is typically about six inches above the floor level, whereas the typical shower drain is installed level with the floor.

If you are unable to clear this backup yourself, you must call in professional plumbers. They will be able to clean up the leaked sewage thoroughly, as well as find out exactly where the clog is located. Unless you know what you are doing when you try to do your own plumbing repairs, it is generally wise to let the professionals handle it to begin with.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

When to Call a Plumber

Every homeowner will need the help of a plumber at some point or another. Whether there is a clogged drain or a busted pipe, hire someone who can handle any job that requires the type of skill only a trained and experienced plumber has. Many people try to fix plumbing problems themselves, but this can end up costing you more money in the long run, especially if you don't have plumbing experience and try to fix a problem, but do so incorrectly. Before you call a plumber, however, you should assess the situation and take note of some important information. In situations involving leaks, blockages, and changes in the color of water, you may have some investigation to do before a plumber is called.

Blockages of drains and sinks may be removed easily without the use of a plumber, but you should never attempt to remedy the issue unless you feel confident in your ability to fix the problem. The first thing to do is to try using your household plunger. If using a plunger doesn't dislodge the blockage, many people will try using over the counter drain clog removing chemicals such as Drano or Liquid Plumber. If the chemical clog removers do not work, your pipe work under the sink will need to be taken apart. A professional plumber is best suited for this type of work, as it requires unscrewing, sealing and caulking pipe joints.

Leaks, if left unnoticed and untreated, can be devastating on the wood inside your home. Excess water will cause mold growth and significantly damage the surrounding structure. Depending on where the leak is coming from, you may need to tear down a ceiling or get behind a wall. An experienced plumber is best suited to deal with pipe leakage, as often times the water supply will need to be shut off and new plumbing will need to be installed. And when you're working inside walls and above the ceiling, there are many other safety factors you'll need to be aware of, such as the electrical wiring.

Changes in the color of your water may be out of the scope of a plumber's job description because most of the time discolored water is the result of a problem within the city or town's water supply. The first thing to do if you notice brown or yellowish water is to call your municipality and inquire about any water issues that they may be experiencing. Normally, the color changes are due to a problem with the water company and are temporary. However, if the water company has no knowledge of discolored water, you may have a problem within your home's plumbing. Call a plumber to investigate and remedy the situation.

Hiring an experienced, licensed plumber will ensure the job gets done correctly the first time so you can rest easy knowing that your water supply is flowing through your home safely and properly. A good plumbing company will get to your home quickly, especially in an emergency to make certain your water is safe and your plumbing is operating correctly.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Essential Components of DWV Plumbing Systems

Drain-waste-vent, or DWV, is a type of plumbing systems in which sewage is taken from a building and noxious gases are vented. Waste enters the DWV from plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, bathtubs and showers. The waste exits the fixtures through a dipped section of pipe called a trap, which maintains a constant supply of water. All plumbing fixtures must have traps to prevent gases backing up into the home or building, with rather unattractive and unhealthy results.

Traps connect plumbing fixtures to a common waste line, which channels waste to what is euphemistically called a soil stack. The waste is then removed from the building through a main drain and taken to a sewage line.

The venting system pipes are an important part of any plumbing system. It is their job to connect fixtures directly to the outdoors, often through the roof. Vents serve several purposes; they allow an outlet for sewer gases, they encourage oxygen circulation which allows sewage to begin to decompose, and they prevent sewer gases from entering the building. With few exceptions, every plumbing fixture is required by building codes to have an attached vent. These vents are sometimes descriptively called stink pipes.

Because gravity is the force powering these plumbing systems, it is critical that all pipes have a downward slope throughout the system. In instances where a downward slope out of a building and into the sewer cannot be created, a collection pit and grinding lift 'sewage ejector' pump are used to deliver waste to the sewage system.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Drainage and Drain Unblocking

Drainage industry is growing rapidly worldwide now due to the rise in households and townships. Drainage systems are now given priority and their maintenance is also kept in mind which should be taken care of at regular intervals to avoid the after effects, which can be hazardous too. That is why now more plumbing companies are coming into existence and are successful too in tapping the market too.

Be it domestic or business place both need to be functional when it comes to drainage, after all hygiene is the first thing to be kept in mind. It is highly important to focus on the maintenance of the drainage system other than just focusing on installing the best of the equipment in the rest rooms or showers. One needs to be practical and clearly well aware of the fact that maintenance is equally important to keep the waste flowing.

The venting system or plumbing vents includes pipes that carry the waste from indoor to outdoor. (From showers/rest rooms to gutters). This is where blockage most likely to occur and requires maintenance to keep your plumbing needs functional. Drains can choke or block for various reasons including piling up of waste, ground movement, leakage, subsidence, tree root infiltration and corrosion etc. And one can not get rid of these issues by just installing the best drainage system but by maintaining the drainage system in a timely fashion at regular intervals.

Usage of proper quality plumbing material is recommendable in order to avoid any major problem in future and also that helps in cleaning the drain more easily. There are various ways of cleaning the drain but the most effective one is with high pressure water jets. If good quality drainage system is installed than you need not to worry about the drain cleaning but if low quality drainage system is installed than you definitely need to think twice before maintenance of drain because there are chances of the drain pipes to break or collapse while being cleaned. Normally when water is pumped out from the jetting machine, the water pressure is enough to push the trash out of the drain but that at times also ends up breaking the drain pipes if it is not strong enough to hold the pressure. And if that happens than the whole drainage system needs to be changed which is going to be very costly.

Health and safety is a major concern for all of us. The water that is being dumped in the drain is a 100 times filthier than the water we get rid of in our kitchens or showers. The water in the drain is the homeland for bacteria and other dangerous insects which can be life threatening or can be a cause for some major viral infections to all human beings being affected.

Using a professional and an expert drain cleaning company is highly recommendable if you want to avoid any after effects! Now that we are living in a modern world, we are there left with so many options to choose from that can be fruitful and affordable too.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Plumbing Enzymes - Why You Shouldn't Be Overly Concerned About Them

Quiz any plumbing veteran about the most reliable and redoubtable product to dissolve grease and other organic wastes in septic systems, grease traps and waste treatment facilities, and the answer is sure to be unanimous. Plumbing enzymes, what else'

These cost-effective and extremely user-friendly formulations give your cleaning operations a major fillip. These cleaners sound the death knell for repugnant traces of hair, food and grime in your pipes, leaving them free-flowing and squeaky clean.

But above all, what makes these non-acid, non-caustic, biodegradable and non-corrosive solutions so popular is the fact that they are the perfect replacement for chemical-based cleaning formulations. So not just you, but even your pipes and septic tanks are protected from the malevolent influences of these dangerous chemicals.

Keeps Clogs And Cleaning Professionals At Bay

Months of build-up in the drain pipes' Just bring home an experienced plumbing professional, right' Wrong! These enzymes nibble away protein substances in soil and waste, removing drain build-up and those unpleasant odors. Their effectiveness is just not restricted to opening drains alone. Restrooms, floor and carpets are some of the other areas where these enzymes have displayed their remarkable efficacy.

Advantages That Are Hard To Beat

If you are among the scores of homeowners grappling with the menace of clogged drain pipes, these completely natural solutions help in attenuating your concerns. Here are some of the hard-to-ignore reasons for their burgeoning popularity:


Safe: With these enzymes at work, no fumes or heat can derail the pace of your cleaning operations. Completely non-toxic, these solutions target only organic substances like grease, cotton, hair, paper and food particles, and convert them into water and mineral ash.

Effective: It just takes these bacteria a couple of minutes to get cracking, leaving your pipes fresh and clean in absolutely no time at all.

Multipurpose: Kitchen sinks, bathtubs, showers, floor drains, septic tanks, laundry drains, lift stations and grease traps are only a few of the countless number of places that these enzymes have impacted.

Cost-effective: These solutions are as cost-effective as they are efficient.

What more can I say ? They have to be seen to be believed.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Plumbing - The Waste System

In modern plumbing systems, the pipes which carry used water away from baths, basins, WCs, bidets and showers have traps often called U-bends full of water. The water in these traps prevents smells from the sewers getting into the house - in Victorian times, this 'drain air' was thought to be directly responsible for a number of diseases. Even if this is not the case, smells from sewers are at least unpleasant. On a WC, the water trap is part of the fitting; in other cases, it is part of the outlet waste pipe.

Single-stack systems

Most houses built since about I960 have a single-stack waste system. The branch pipes from the U-bend traps, attached to baths, basins, WCs and so on in the upper storeys of the house, connect into a single pipe usually 100mm in diameter - called a discharge pipe, soil pipe or soil-stack -which runs vertically down the side of (or through) the house. The top of this pipe should terminate outside the building, not less than 900mm above the top of any opening windows (unless a relief valve is fitted). The bottom is connected directly into the house drainage system - it has no trap in it.

When designing a waste system, care has to be taken to ensure that the water in the traps cannot be sucked out so breaking the seal against smells. This can happen if waste water rushes through the branch pipe leading from the trap (or through other pipes connected to this branch) quickly enough to create sufficient suction to pull the water out of the trap. To guard against unsealing, the top of the soil-stack is left open. It should, however, be fitted with a cage to stop birds nesting in it and stopping up the open end. (Technically, the length of pipe above the highest branch connection to it is called a vent pipe.) In the single-stack waste system, there are other design constraints - the slope, length and diameter of branch pipes, the position of their connections to the soil-stack, and the radius of the bend at the foot of the soil-stack all have to be worked out carefully in order to meet the requirements of the Building Regulations.

WCs at ground-floor level may also be connected to the soil-stack but are more usually connected directly to the drain. Other ground-floor waste pipes will prob¬ably discharge into a back-inlet gully or through the grid of an open gully. A gully is basically a water trap with the top open to the air at ground level and an outlet connected to the house drains. The gully should be fitted with a grid to prevent leaves and other things blocking it. The waste pipes enter the gully below the level of the grid but above the level of the water in the gully trap either by simply passing through a hole cut in the top of the grid, or by being connected to an inlet forming part of the gully. When this inlet is at the back of the gully (the front of the grid is where the outlet is) it is called a back-inlet gully; when the inlet is at the side, it is called, not surprisingly, a side-inlet gully.

Extending a single-stack waste system will mean joining into the main soil pipe. This is usually fairly simple, provided the pipe is plastic.

Two-pipe system

Many older houses have a two-pipe waste system with WCs connected into one vertical soil pipe, and other wastes (baths, basin and bidets) connected into a separate vertical waste pipe. This system calls for less careful design of slopes and connections, but the vertical pipes still need to be vented to the air.

An existing two-pipe system can be extended by allowing extra waste pipes from upstairs rooms to discharge into the hopper head and ground-floor wastes to be led to the gully. This is clearly much simpler than having to cut into the side of the vertical soil or waste pipe - particularly a cast-iron one.

In the two-pipe system, the soil pipe is connected directly to the drains, and the waste pipe is connected via a trapped gully, which usually takes the waste pipe from the kitchen sink.

REGULATIONS

Most plumbing and waste work is covered by regulations designed to ensure that the results of the work are not a danger to health and do not lead to undue consumption, misuse, contamination or waste of water.

Building Regulations

The Building Regulations (and their equivalents in Northern Ireland and Scotland) control the way waste systems are designed. You should give notice of your plans to do anything to the waste system in your house (apart from straightforward repair or replacement). Ask the local authority for information about the person to contact-in England and Wales it is the Building Control Officers of your Borough or District Council.

The general requirement of the Regulations is that the systems carrying foul water (WC waste and water which has been used for cooking and wash¬ing) and for carrying rain-water away from the house shall be 'adequate'. What this means is explained in the Approved Document for part H; most manufacturers of soil/waste equipment give guidance in their literature.

Water By-laws

Because there are differences in the type of water supplied to different areas of the country, each local water supply undertaking can issue its own water by¬laws - though these are normally based on the Model Water By-laws. You should give notice of your plans for certain plumbing work before it is started, including installing a bidet, flushing cistern or a tap for a hose or making a connection to the rising main.

The Water By-laws cover such things as: the size of storage cisterns and the position of inlets, outlets and over¬flows: the provision of stop taps and drain taps; the protection of pipes against frost damage, corrosion and vibration; and, most importantly, the design of the system so that there is no possibility of the supply becoming contaminated, particularly by back-siphonage. To make sure that any work complies fully, it is essential to read (and follow) the local water undertaking's by-laws, which are normally sup¬plied free.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Things to Consider Before Doing Your Own Plumbing Repairs

Many things can be fixed by a competent do-it-yourself person. Before starting the project, there are some things you should consider: Do you know how to do the job? Do you have the right tools for the job? Do you have the time to do the job? Would it be better to call in a professional plumber?

Before starting any major projects, you should begin with something fairly simple. Unclogging a drain, replacing a leaky faucet, or replacing the workings inside the toilet tank are good projects to start on. Working on these simple projects you will give you an idea of how good your plumbing skills are.

If your project is something you don't feel comfortable tackling, call in a professional plumber. There is a reason they are well paid; they have the knowledge and experience, plus all the tools to do the job right. Knowing your limits is important and can end up saving you money and time.

Doing your own plumbing repairs can save valuable time and be a great convenience. Everyone should know how to unclog the kitchen sink or toilet. Your plumbing skills will also make you popular with friends and neighbors.

Before you start any plumbing project, here are some basic tools you should have: a variety of wrenches (including a pipe wrench), pliers, screwdrivers, a sharp knife, a hacksaw, plumbers tape or putty, and a plunger. A plumber's snake is also a valuable tool for unclogging drains.

For larger projects, your toolbox should include a pipe cutter, metal file, sanding paper, propane torch, flux and solder. Remember to use safety and good sense in all you do. You don't want to catch the house on fire or give yourself a serious burn.

Doing your own repairs can save you money, but there are some things you should consider here as well. When figuring out the cost of repairs, remember to figure in the cost of materials, tools and your time (and remember most jobs take longer than expected.) Once you've determined that, you can better see how much money you would actually save compared to hiring a professional plumber.

Before starting your project, remember to turn off the water. Gather the tools you will need, and if possible enlist a helper. If at any time you think you're in over hour head, call a professional plumber instead.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Ways to Prevent Water Damage

We all know that the best way to deal with water damage and mold damage is to prevent it before it happens. While there are extreme situations that require flood damage control or water damage restoration, more often than not the worst you have to deal with is mold remediation resulting from lack of knowledge about the origins of water damage rather then any of the previously mentioned devastating situations.

Common hidden causes of water damage


Bathrooms and kitchens are obvious starting points for water damage. After all, these are probably the only rooms in the house in which water is regularly used. A small leak under the sink, a crack in the tile, poor ventilation can all be the foundation of much larger problems.

Inspect tiled areas for cracks or damaged grout.

Ventilate by either leaving the window open a crack or by installing a fan.

Check shower stalls and tubs for cracks.

Inspect pipes under all sinks.

Pay attention to any dark stains or discoloration on bathroom and kitchen walls, floors and other surfaces. These may indicate a growing mold colony.

Check all caulking - if you see any cracks or degradation, take the time to re-caulk and avoid leaks. Include showers, tubs, sinks and toilets in your inspection.

Do not forget to check your shower curtain or shower/tub door for signs of mold.


Pool areas and spas are perpetually damp. Cleanliness in these areas, as well as good ventilation, is essential.

There is some research that indicated cedar tubs are better at resisting mold.
Wash frequently using an eco-friendly anti-bacterial agent. Dry thoroughly.
Invest in a pool/spa dehumidifier
Regularly inspect the integrity of water seals to ensure that there is no leakage.
It is equally important to inspect any plumbing attached to the hot tub in your spa.
Provide proper drainage for filter and heating system.


Household appliances can also be the source of water damage.

Clothes dryer vents expel hot, moist air. Poor ventilation or inefficient outtake hoses will lead to moisture accumulation.
Appliances that use water (dish washers, clothes washers, refrigerators with ice makers or a beverage bar) clearly employ mechanisms that carry water to and from the appliance. Hoses. Drain pipes and all other plumbing elements must be kept in tip-top, water-tight working order.


Certain rooms are more susceptible to unnoticed water damage than others.

Visit the basement and attic regularly. Even if these rooms are not regularly in use, they are common locations for undetected water seepage or leaking.
You do not have to memorize the plumbing schematics for your home, but you should be aware that pipes may run in unexpected places. Wall discoloration in any room in the house can indicate a problem with your plumbing and the onset of water damage.


Prevent extensive water damage by paying attention to water pressure - a drop in water pressure can indicate a hidden leak somewhere in the plumbing system.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Tackling Home Plumbing and Heating Repairs

Home ownership is a rewarding but challenging experience. In an average year, home owners will contemplate the conundrum of whether to call a professional plumber or tackle dripping faucets, water heater repair, or drain cleaning by themselves. While common, plumbing issues are some of the most complicated because of the potential for expensive mistakes and the inconvenience of not having a functioning toilet, water heater, or running water.

Tackling faucet repairs can be as simple as replacing a washer, but often, plumbing in older homes means rusty pipes, unreliable valves and shut-offs, and a simple over-tightened nut can cause broken sinks and toilets, as well as water damage and, eventually, emergency calls to the plumber. Avoiding the pitfalls of repairing plumbing and heating equipment means exercising restraint and knowing when to call in a professional.

Before attempting any home plumbing repair, the home owner should be certain to turn off the water in the entire house, as a broken water line can quickly because a catastrophe. Also prior to attempting a repair, all tools and materials should be inventoried to minimize additional time, expense and inconvenience incurred by multiple trips to the hardware store. This means, for example, purchasing faucets, drains, extra bolts and gaskets, toilet tank parts, a wax ring, cleaning supplies, and towels. Any supplies that are not needed can be returned if unused, but the do-it-yourselfer should always be prepared to repair or replace any and all parts of the piece of equipment that they are going to attempt to repair. Prior to beginning a plumbing repair, the home owner should consider if they have the necessary skills to successfully complete the repair. An honest assessment of home repair abilities will save an emergency call to the plumber when calling a professional may have been the quickest and ultimately least expensive way to address toilet issues, faucet repairs or water heater repairs.

Home repairs can mean saving time and money, but occasionally what started out as a simple drip can evolve into a broken pipe or an even more severe issue. The key to home repair is knowing when to call a professional - often that means before attempting a project, and sometimes it means knowing when the problem is beyond the knowledge and experience of the home repair person. In the Twin Cities area - Inver Grove Heights, South Saint Paul, West Saint Paul, Maplewood and Eagan - Ben Radant provides plumbing and heating services to clients with drain sewer cleaning, water heater installs, plumbing repairs, and other commercial and residential plumbing and heating system problems.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

When to Change a Carbon Water Filter to Avoid Health and Plumbing Problems

Having carbon water filtration in your home is one of the simplest and most inexpensive ways to replicate the forces of nature within your home. A carbon water filter works much the same way natural water filtration does. But while nature has ways to deal with the material that filtered out, it all stays within man made filter cartridges. This can cause problems with health and with the proper operation of the filter so it's important to keep up with maintenance.

In nature there is a continual process that removes contaminants from water as is passes through soil. The bacterial contaminants either die or migrate elsewhere out of the soil. Physical particles will get trapped in the natural carbon of the soil while the now clean water makes it through and collects elsewhere.

Since this continual process cannot take place within the carbon filters of your home filtration systems you need to manually replace the cartridges. The frequency of this replacement depends in large part to the brand and the type of cartridge you are using, as well as how much water you pass through the filter. In some cases you will need to replace the filter every few weeks while with other types you can go many months.

The type of filter cartridge that requires the most frequent replacement are the small faucet mounted filters. These are very convenient water filters in that there is no pitcher to fill, but since it is physically smaller the carbon will get used up more quickly by being filled with contaminants. Certain brands of these filters will have an indicator to tell you when the filter needs to be changed, while others lack that feature. If your carbon cartridge does not have this kind of indicator then you should consider changing it at least once each month, or when the water flow decreases noticeably.

With pitcher style water filter systems you can go a bit longer between cartridge replacements. In many cases you can go about three months. This makes it somewhat simpler to remember when to replace the cartridge as you can schedule it to coincide with each quarter of the year. You can also plan to have a year's worth of filters on hand for replacement, and this would only be four filters.

There are also refrigerators with water dispensers that have built in water filtration. With this type of dispenser it's fairly typical that there will be an indicator on the refrigerator door that will indicate when the filter is in need of replacement. While it may be tempting to ignore these warnings and just hit the reset button, there are some very good reason to carry out the recommended replacement.

For the health argument, you don't know for how much longer the filter will be effective. While there is a certain level of safety built in to the time limits on the filter cartridges, you don't really know how long that is and you don't know how long it will be before the contaminants that were filtered out will get back into your water due to the carbon being saturated.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Water Pressure - What Is Right For Your Home?

When it comes to water pressure, what one person thinks is adequate might come across as a trickle to another. Because opinions vary widely, it is important to be able to make a determination of the adequacy of water pressure in some definitive way. That is especially true for a working home inspector. If a client asks why the inspector did not comment on high or low water pressure, then having a normal water pressure reading documented on the report is a good idea.

Water pressure gauges are easy to use practical tools and, certainly, not out of the reach of the homeowner in either cost or the expertise required to operate them correctly. In fact, these gauges can be purchased at any good hardware store for about $10.00. Once you have the device, you might wonder what readings you are looking for? Well, normal pressure is described as being between 40 and 80 PSI (pounds per square inch). The easiest place to check that reading is to screw the gauge on at an outside faucet. Beware, there can be a potential snag doing that: Not often, but sometimes, the hosebibb or faucet is plumbed in before a pressure reducer is put in the system and, in that case, there will be a high reading on the gauge. For this reason, when a hosebibb gives a high reading, a person should try to get another reading, such as attaching the gauge to the faucet the washing machine connects to. The washing machine faucet is usually inside the home, or so we hope, and has the same threads as the pressure gauge. If the reading is still high, then the problem is confirmed since the washing machine is one of the appliances we are trying to protect from damage caused by high water pressure.

As an aside, it is my opinion, having inspected many homes and then checked the water flow, that any reading under 50 PSI is suspect and the people who are going to live in the house ought to see for themselves if they like the water pressure. If a person buying a house does not have a pressure gauge, or wonders if he or she will be satisfied with the water pressure, I suggest the good old-fashioned multi-flow test. It is simple enough. Get the dishwasher or washing machine running. Then turn on a sink or two and go to a bathroom and try the shower, the sink, etc. Do this on each floor, with other fixtures running. You can get a pretty good idea of the adequacy of the water pressure and how it will affect you.

As far as solutions to a pressure issue: If the pressure is too high, a pressure reducer will probably be installed by a plumber. If, on the other hand, the water pressure is too low then that will be more complicated. The cause can range from bad pressure at the source, to rusted pipes and a number of other issues.