Plumbing DIY, Replacing Taps

Plumbing is an aspect of home improvement that often comes about without choice. It is important to take care of the plumbing of your property in order to avoid emergency situations and to ensure that you are getting the best from your plumbing system.

When it comes to replacing taps it can often be more complex than you may realise at first. Replacing taps can either be required as part of the installation of a new bath/basin or because your old taps have worn down. You may, however, just wish to replace your taps simply on a more cosmetic basis.

It is important to understand how many 'holes' your sink has when it comes to changing your taps. The amount of holes will determine whether you can install two separate taps or whether you will have just the one serving both your hot and cold needs. If there is one hole you are restricted to the one tap and you will require a mono-bloc mixer when it comes to replacing your taps. With one hole you will have two diameter pipes coming out of the hole, one for hot and one for cold. It there are, however, two holes you are able to fit two separate taps to your sink, giving you a tap for hot water and a tap for cold water.

Ok now you have some basics about what to look for in your pipe work we can move onto the removal of your old taps. The first thing you need to ensure you do is to disconnect the water supply and then turn your taps on fully to drain any water left in your system. The way in which you cut off your water supply depends on what sort of water supply you are dealing with. If connected to the mains you should turn off your indoor stop valve. If your hot and cold taps feed off pipes from a cistern you should have a gate valve/mini stopcock available to turn off. The stop valve can be found alongside the cold water tank.

You should then use a wrench (crowsfoot spanner) or a tap tool to undo the nut, which connects the supply pipes to the taps. You will probably experience some water coming from the pipes at this point so ensure that you have a cloth ready then loosen the nut that is holding the taps in place and remove them from the sink. You then need to clean the area the taps fit into as well as replace any old sealing compound.

Before you go ahead and fit your new taps you need to compare the pipe connections on the old taps to the new taps. If they are longer then you will need a shank adapter in order to make them fit.

When it comes to actually fitting your new taps you have to check to see if the tails of the new taps are plastic. If not a connector is required to prevent damage. One end of the connector fits onto the tail and the other provides a connection to existing pipes. To fit the taps you should position the tap in the mounting hole in the basin, ensuring that the washers are in place between the tap and the sink and when the tap is securely in place the supply pipes can be connected.

When your taps are firmly in place and have been securely connected to the pipes you can then turn your water supply back on. Once your water is on you should check for any leaks; if any appear they can normally be resolved by tightening your joins.

Tips For Bathroom Plumbing

To begin, it is important to note that in some states, laws are in place which prohibits home owners from engaging in their own bathroom plumbing. Check with your local municipality to make sure there aren't any restrictions against this practice in the area were you reside.

In any plumbing job, safety is the key. Be sure to disconnect the electrical source by turning off the power to a fuse or breaker box. Wear goggles, headgear, and gloves. Tools have insulated handles so hold them by the handles to reduce injury or electrical shock. Likewise, rubber-soled shoes should be worn at all times.

Though no job is the same it is important to have a few basic tools. Below are a few of the most commonly used.

1. Pipe Wrenches - You'll need an 18-inch, 14-inch, and 10-inch.
2. Basic Wrenches - In order to make gripping faucet attachments easier be sure to pick up a few with swivel jaws and long handles.
3.Tubing Cutters - Get yourself a standard-sized model as well as a mini in order to ensure you'll be able to cut through pipes even in tighter spaces.
4. Plunger - One with a heavy rubber head and good suction.
5. Level - To ensure pipes are level.
6. Torch - In case you need to solder pipes. A low cost simple torch should usually do the trick.
7. Drill - You'll always find a use.
8. Magnet - To help remove metal objects from clogged drains.
9. Cola is useful for removing rust.
10.Wire Brush - Helps remove debris prior to soldering pipes.

Aside from clogged sinks and toilets, one of the biggest bathroom plumbing problems are frozen pipes. Frozen pipes can damage your home by bursting and effectively flooding your home in minutes. Be sure to regularly inspect all outdoor pipes as well as those under sinks and in unheated crawl spaces. Preventing this problem is fairly simple and consists of covering the pips with foam rubber or insulation and securing the job with tape. If you've found a pipe to have already frozen, make sure to open the faucet prior to thawing in order to allow the blockage to move out through the pipes.

While many jobs can be accomplished with little more than common sense, there will always be those that will ultimately require an experienced professional. Don't hesitate to ask for help as it just may end up saving you a more costly repair down the road.

Plumbing Pipes For Potable Water

There are many varieties of plumbing pipes available in the market. While going in for a kitchen remodeling project or building a new home you will have to choose which material would be best for you. A brief look at the most popular pipes:

Copper: pipes are very popular and are used for drain, vent and potable water supply. It is durable, easy and flexible to install, safer in natural disasters, resistant to intense weather and microbes and competitively priced. For many years contractors have preferred copper plumbing for its dependability and solid value. Homeowners also prefer copper plumbing because it generally increases the resale value of homes. It also ensures a clean, safe water supply. Lead has been removed from the manufacturing process so it no longer poses a health risk unlike with galvanized pipes

CPVC pipe (Polyvinyl chloride) is a rigid plastic pipe that is put together with solvent joints. They are perfect for areas of the country that have aggressive water that eats away at copper pipes. This aggressive water can sometimes eat through copper pipe within eight years. CPVC is unaffected by aggressive water, and its smooth inner surface won't collect mineral deposits. Though these pipes have many advantages they suffer from one major drawback. In case of fire or electric spark they omit poisonous gases. If this is an issue with you or your kitchen does not have a good exit point stick to copper.

PEX Pipe: is the newest entrant in the plumbing scenario. It is a flexible plastic pipe than can be installed much like electrical wiring. Suitable for use with both hot and cold water they can be used in conjunction with steel, copper, PVC and CPVC plumbing pipe. They are also highly resistant to bursting.

Plumbing Alternatives - How to Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

You just finished using the toilet, flushed, and suddenly you're in the midst of a plumbing disaster. Your eyes go wide and you start to panic as you see the water rising towards the brim of the toilet and there's nothing you can do. We've all been there before, and sometimes it even happens at someone else's house. Although you might not be able to fix the embarrassment, you can certainly fix a small plumbing problem such as a clogged toilet. Most people think the solution is sticking in a plunger. While that can work, you need to use the proper technique. There are also some other ways methods and ideas you can use to make the job easier.

If you notice the water level rising alarmingly fast, and you still have your wits about you, the first thing you should do is turn off the water. There's normally a small knob behind the toilet towards the base. Turn it tight to shut off the flow and prevent a potential flood. If it looks like there won't be an overflow, whatever you do, do not flush it again. There is always the temptation, especially if the water manages to drain itself out, but a second flush will greatly increase your plumbing woes.

If you can, allow as much water as you can to drain out of the bowl. If it doesn't appear to be draining or is taking a long time, you can slap on some gloves and a brave face and remove some of the excess water with an old cup or coffee can. You'll want most of the water to be emptied from the bowl before attempting to unclog the blockage. Pick up any rugs or towels off the floor to prevent them from getting wet or soiled. If possible, cover the floor in something absorbent to catch any stray drops, such as newspaper or old rags.

The most common reaction of people is to rely on the plunger to solve all of their plumbing issues. Before you reach for it, there is an easier solution. Grab some dish soap and squirt a good amount straight into the toilet. Chase the soap down with some hot water, but make sure it isn't boiling as you could crack the bowl. After five minutes or so the water level should start going down as the clog dissolves. If the bowl is nearly empty, you can give it a flush, but be cautious because if you failed to break up the clog you might get an overflow.

If soap and water doesn't work, another great method is using a wire coat hanger. All you have to do is unravel it and straighten out as best as you can. Insert the coat hanger into the pipe and gently push any obstruction you come across. You might have to twist it a bit to hit the right spot. This is sort of a plumbing bargain version of the snake tool that professionals use, but you'll save a bit of cash.

What to Look For When Choosing a Plumbing Contractor

Choosing a plumbing contractor to service your home's needs is one of the most important house-related decisions a homeowner will ever make. After all, you depend on healthy pipes each and every day to bring you water for showers, baths, laundry, dishwashing, drinking, keeping your yard green, washing the dog, and a host of other jobs we take for granted! Like any service industry, there are fantastic professionals and some not-so-fantastic contractors. Here's what to look for when choosing a plumbing contractor you can trust.

Licensed and Insured

The last thing you want to have happen is waste your money on a fly-by-night plumbing service that does terrible work, doesn't finish the job, or worse: disappears altogether. Request proof of licensing with the state from any plumber before you sign any sort of agreement. In addition, you want to be sure that all technicians who work in your home carry their own liability insurance policies, for your own protection.

Years of Experience

The longer a plumbing contractor has been serving a community, the better. Plumbing is a very competitive field, and those who don't make the grade simply will not be in business very long. Only highly-trained and certified technicians should be allowed to set foot in your home: your plumbing is simply too important to leave to chance.

Ready When You Need Them Most

Your plumbing contractor should respect your time by offering flexible scheduling options and then coming when promised. Look for a plumbing contractor that offers 24/7/365 service, who will be able to serve you both in emergency and non-emergency situations.

There are some real differences between plumbing professionals: take the time to choose wisely.

Plumbing Tool Advice

What's interesting about plumbing, whether it's installing lines in a new house or fixing a leaky faucet, the job always takes a tool or two more than it seems like it should. I can tell you that this fact foils many would-be do-it-yourselfers. After working for several years as a master plumber in Atlanta, I consider myself a plumbing expert. Thankfully, you don't need to be an Atlanta plumbing expert like myself to handle basic home plumbng tasks. Let's go over some necessities: First, outfitting a complete tool box is a must.

What constitutes a complete tool box?

For the average homeowner the answer is relatively simple. Just enough tools to handle the basics. Most basic plumbing chores can be accomplished with a straight screwdriver, a Phillips screwdriver, a set of channel locks, a pair of pliers, a 14" Crescent wrench and a 14" pipe wrench.

In addition, since a bucket will always come in handy when it's time to bleed a water line down, some guys like to carry the tools in a two gallon plastic bucket. A five gallon bucket will hold more tools but these are too tall to fit under a sink or behind a toilet.

Know the Location of Your Home's Shut off Valve

There is one more thing that's a must when it's time to do a plumbing job. Knowing where the main shut-off valve is located. Even the most experienced plumbers might start by closing the main supply to the house or the apartment. In the event the job is a simple faucet washer replacement, the angle stop valves on the hot or cold line will likely shut the flow of water off at that faucet. However, on occasion these smaller valves don't seal completely closed and when that happens, the main shut off valve will have to be closed.

The final element to a home or apartment plumbing repair is a clear determination of the problem. Water on the floor can be the result of several things and most often, a visual inspection, with the water running, will disclose the source of the leak. Overall, most plumbing problems that occur inside the home are of a minor nature. These repairs can be learned easily and performed in a relatively short time once they have been identified.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Plumbers And House Plumbing

Even if you love your home and think you know it like the back of your hand, you cannot know every nook and cranny. Especially when it comes to your home's plumbing system. Because they are trained to work on home water systems, it only makes sense that plumbers know your home's plumbing system best. To better understand what is required of the plumber you hire, you should familiarize yourself with the basic water system layout of your house. This will also help you manage any minor plumbing problems in the event that your plumber is delayed when you call with an emergency water system problem.

Becoming Familiar With Your Home's Water System

Your home's water system is much more complicated than you probably think, involving several separate plumbing systems all working together to provide you with functional service and comfort. Any qualified plumber is thoroughly familiar with all these separate systems and how they interact. He also should know what each problem means and how to go about solving it. The following paragraph will help you get a grasp of the various water systems that are at work within your home.

All home plumbing begins with a fresh water supply system. This system takes care of the distribution of fresh water to all parts of your home that require fresh water. This includes the water you drink, wash your dishes in and bathe in. The outdoor lawn sprinklers and the irrigation of your garden are also served by this part of the system. The plumbing for this part of the system is probably the most extensive in your home, as it needs to serve all areas of your house.

The drain and waste water system is another important part of your water supply. As important as the pipes that bring water into your home are the pipes that carry the used water away. These pipes take the water to the wastewater site in your community for proper and environmental treatment.

Another important aspect of your home's plumbing system involves properly venting the sewer gases that naturally build up in waste water pipes. This venting is generally accomplished via a small pipe that vents the air outside to the roof of the home. This venting also allows proper pressure to be maintained allowing the drainpipes to work, as they should. It should be noted that some homes have more elaborate and specialized piping systems in place that allows for the use of more varied water systems for a pool or hot tub.