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Helpful Plumbing Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

Plumbing repairs average $175 to $450, but major plumbing issues can cost a lot more. Taking care of your plumbing can prevent common issues, such as leaks and clogged drains, that require you to call a plumber. Most of the plumbing maintenance tasks are simple enough for anyone to handle on their own.

Doing regular plumbing maintenance can keep you from needing to do a quick “plumbers near me” search for an emergency plumber. When it gets to the point of needing emergency repairs, you’re likely looking at water damage and a lot higher price tag on your repair bill. Preventing issues and catching them early is key.

Keep reading to learn about the plumbing maintenance tasks you should be doing.

Look for Water Leaks

Faucet with a Water Leak

Leaks account for almost 1 trillion gallons of wasted water each year in the United States. On average, a household with leaks can waste almost 10,000 gallons of water. Finding and fixing those leaks protects natural resources and can save you on your water bills.

One way to see if your home has a leak somewhere is to stop using water for one to two hours. Look at your water meter before and after that period. Changes in the meter mean that water is still running somewhere, which likely means you have a leak.

You can inspect any visible plumbing components for leaks at any time. Check faucets and any exposed pipes, such as those under sinks and in unfinished areas, such as basements and crawl spaces. Look for signs of water below the pipes, such as puddles or mold.

In finished areas, leaks often aren’t easy to spot until you notice water stains on walls or ceilings. You might also see or smell mold or mildew from the excess moisture.

Leaks often happen where pipes connect, so look at those areas especially close. Faucets often leak when the washers and gaskets inside wear out. If you discover a leak, call a plumber to have the problem fixed properly if it’s not something minor that you can handle yourself.

Don’t forget to look for leaks in and around your appliances that use water, including dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators with built-in icemakers and water dispensers. It could be a simple connection issue or a leaking hose that needs to be replaced. Hoses eventually deteriorate and can develop cracks.

While you’re looking for leaks, check out the condition of the pipes and hoses in your home. Components can corrode or crack over time. Even if they’re not leaking yet, they could be close to leaking if they show signs of deterioration.

Check for Toilet Leaks

Toilets are often the cause of leaks in homes. An easy way to check for toilet leaks is to put a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. Give it an hour or two.

Check the bowl of the toilet to see if the food coloring has made its way into the water there. If so, you have a leak. An easy way to fix this is by replacing the flush seal that you can buy at any home improvement store.

Check Shut-Off Valves

Customer Turning Off Valve During Plumbing Maintenance

All home plumbing systems have shut-off valves to kill the water supply. These shut-off valves are crucial if you have a plumbing emergency or major leak. You can turn off the water supply before your entire home becomes flooded.

Your home has a main shut-off valve, often where the water supply comes into your home. You can use it to shut off all of the water to the home.

Individual plumbing fixtures, such as toilets and sinks, also usually have their own shut-off valves. This lets you cut the water to just that fixture if you need to do maintenance on it or the leak is confined to that area.

As part of your yearly plumbing maintenance, look for all of the shut-off valves in your home so you know where they’re located in case of a plumbing emergency. Test each of the valves to ensure they turn easily and work properly. If they don’t turn, don’t work, or leak when you turn them, call a plumber to have the parts repaired or replaced.

Test the Water Pressure

If you have a sudden drop in water pressure, you likely notice it right away. This can be due to large demand from other faucets, or it could be due to a plumbing issue. Most homes have a pressure regulating valve that can fail over time or can have debris inside of it. This valve regulates water pressure coming from the street pipes and reduces the water pressure to a safe level for your home.

However, the water pressure can slowly decrease over time, due to things such as corroded or clogged pipes and buildup in your faucet heads. If you notice lower pressure in just one faucet, look for clogs in those specific areas. If you can’t find the cause of the lower water pressure, have a plumber inspect the system for you.

Inspect Your Water Heater

Flushing Water Heater For Plumbing Maintenance

A major plumbing fixture that you want to keep running is your water heater. While you might not feel comfortable messing around with the water heater too much, you can look for signs that it’s getting older or has an issue that needs to be repaired.

Start by looking at the floor around the water heater to check for puddles and leaks. Check the pipes and the unit for additional leaking or moisture. Rusting and strange noises, such as rattling or banging, coming from the unit can also be a sign of an issue.

If you have a traditional tank water heater, draining it once per year can help remove sediments. The sediments force the water heater to work harder, which raises your energy bills and can shorten the life of your water heater. If you don’t feel comfortable draining the water heater yourself, schedule a yearly plumbing maintenance visit with your plumber to handle the task and look for other issues.

Insulate Plumbing Components

Insulation on exposed parts of your plumbing system can help protect them and allow them to work more efficiently. Insulating your exposed pipes, especially those in cold areas or near exterior walls, can prevent the water from freezing. Insulation on your hot water pipes helps keep the water heated by preventing heat loss, which can lower your utility bills.

Foam pipe wrap or pipe sleeves fit perfectly around the pipes for easy installation. The sleeves have a slit along one side to slip over the pipes easily. Use duct tape to secure the sleeves.

Insulating your water heater can increase its energy efficiency. If your water heater tank feels warm to the touch, insulation can reduce standby heat loss by 25 to 45%. Water heater insulating blankets easily wrap around the tank for quick insulation.

Limit What You Put Down Drains

When it comes to drains, the only things you should let go down them are water and soap. Even soaps can cause the drains to get clogged over time and regular cleaning.

Sometimes debris can slip past you and down the drain. Hair is often a cause of clogs in shower drains. Putting a drain cover in your shower can stop hair and other items from falling down the drain.

Never flush anything extra down the toilet other than toilet paper. Feminine hygiene products, paper towels, cotton balls, and any other debris items can back up the plumbing and cause overflowing toilets. A clogged toilet can require a visit from an emergency plumber to get things flowing again.

Use Your Garbage Disposal Properly

Garbage disposals make life a lot easier, but they can quickly become a plumbing headache if you don’t use them properly. Not all food is safe to put down the garbage disposal. Many food items can damage the garbage disposal or cause it to back up.

Avoid certain foods in the garbage disposal, including:

Grease and fat that can congeal
Pasta, bread, rice, and similar starchy items that expand when wet
Coffee grounds
Bones, shells, and other hard objects
Nuts, seeds, and pits
Tough meat
Food with membranes, such as onion layers and eggshells
Potato peels
Stringy and fibrous items
Non-food items

If you’re unsure about whether or not an item can go in the garbage disposal, throw it in the trash instead to be on the safe side. At the least, many items dull the blades, which makes your garbage disposal ineffective. At worst, you can completely destroy the appliance or clog it, making the sink unusable until you get an emergency plumber to fix the problem.

Clean Your Shower Head

Clean Showerhead Spraying Water

Showerheads can get clogged with minerals from water, especially if your area has hard water. The blocked holes in the showerhead reduce pressure and can be hard on the plumbing system.

Carefully remove the showerhead and place it in a container of vinegar to soak. You can also fill a bag with vinegar and secure …

Plumbing Drawings

Plumbing drawings provide all pertinent information on the design of the plumbing system for a project, including line sizes and location, fixture location, isolation valves, storage-tank capacities, hot-water-heater capacities and locations, and drain locations and routing. Plumbing systems involve two major components, water supply and drainage. Water is supplied under pressure through pipes to plumbing fixtures. Drainage works by gravity: Drain pipes must slope downward. Vent pipes are required. A plumbing floor plan will typically show the location and type of plumbing fixtures, as well as the route pipes will be run (overhead or through walls) for potable water, drainage, waste, and vents. Plumbing drawings are usually numbered beginning with “P,” as in P-1, P-2, etc.

The first component connected to a fixture is a trap. Traps are located at every fixture. A trap is the u-shaped pipe found below a sink. Some traps are part of the design of the fixture and are not visible, as in a toilet or double sink. The trap catches and holds a small quantity of water to provide a seal. This seal prevents gases from the sewage system entering the building.

From the trap sewage travels through drainage pipes in branch lines to a vertical stack. A soil stack carries waste from toilets. A waste stack carries the other waste from a sink, washing machine, or dishwasher. All drainage pipes must be connected to vents. Vents are open to the outside air. Vents allow built-up sewage gases to escape and pressure in the system to equalize. Figure 6.19 shows a schematic isometric of a two-bath plumbing system and the various connections and outlets needed.

Plumbing drawings are typically part of the construction-drawing set. In most cases, they are submitted with the construction drawings for a building-permit application. They are also part of the package for pricing the project for the client. They are used for construction. All related plumbing lines; drains, connections, and vents must be installed according to the approved drawings.

A mechanical-engineering company produces the drawings. They must comply with the National Plumbing Code and with national, provincial, and local codes.

Engineers produce their own drawings. They are based on plans provided by the interior designer or architect. These plans show the engineer the location of plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, and water heaters in the design. Some projects require piping for equipment as well.

Generally, the engineer draws a plumbing plan and connection diagrams. Typical diagrams are of the water-supply system and the sanitary stack. Legends, schedules, and notes specific to the project are added. On small projects, there are usually only a few fixtures, a sink and a toilet. In this case, the required information is included on the mechanical-drawing sheets. For large or complex designs, the plan(s), diagrams, notes, etc., are on separate sheets. Several sheets may be required to cover all the information. Figure 6.20 shows a plumbing and sprinkler layout plan.

The engineer’s drawings must provide information regarding the connections to the main water and sanitary sewer lines. The layout of any existing and new piping is indicated on the plan. The size for all lines for water, sanitary, and venting must be noted. The hookup to the water meter, new or existing, is covered, and the type, size, and location of the water heater are specified.

The following are typically included in a set of plumbing drawings

A plan with lines and symbols representing all piping
Symbol legend, general notes, and specific key notes
Fixture schedule, specifying the manufacturer and model for each item
The sizes for all piping, cold/hot water, sanitary, vent lines, etc.
Diagrams, such as water riser and sanitary stack
Information regarding the water heater

Other information may be needed, depending on the complexity of the project

Details drawings, such as water heater, water meter connection, or floor drains
Diagrams or details referencing special equipment requirements
Fire-protection notes
Fire-sprinkler notes and symbols
Special-air lines
Natural-gas lines

Plumbing Fixture Schedule

Isometric diagram of a two-bath plumbing system.

Isometric Piping Symbols Chart

Isometric piping diagrams of hot- and cold-water riser systems.

Engineer’s drawings are required for all commercial projects involving any plumbing work. This applies to additions, renovations, or new construction. A permit is required prior to commencing any work on site.

Building codes specify the number of toilets, urinals, and lavatories required in a building or space, based on the occupancy type. In many cases the facilities must be designed as accessible for the disabled as discussed in Chapter 11. The designer, architect, and engineer must comply with all codes when producing their final drawings.

Plumbing Plans For House Vic

Floor plan showing plumbing and sprinkler layout.

Drawings and permits are also needed for residential projects when substantial plumbing work is to take place. For small projects, a licensed plumber can submit the information required to obtain a permit.

A professional engineer also provides the required drawings and reports for a septic-tank installation. A sewage permit must be obtained. A septic tank is installed where a sanitary sewage connection to a municipal treatment facility is not possible.

Concept and designs are the first stage of any project. When established, the next stage is construction drawings. Once a floor plan is complete, it is passed over to the mechanical engineer to produce plumbing drawings. The drawings become part of the construction-drawing set.

In some residences and commercial structures, a separate plumbing plan is drawn to show fixtures, water-supply and waste-disposal lines, equipment, and other supply and disposal sources. These isometric drawings are much easier to understand and are invaluable to those responsible for preparing material estimates and to the craftspeople responsible for installing plumbing systems. The mechanical division of a set of construction drawings will include, in addition to plumbing plans and details, drawings for any heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems that a building might contain. Frequently, the drawing sheets in the mechanical division are identified by the designating letter M in the title block. However, remember that in the order of drawings, sheets containing heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning drawings will precede those for plumbing.

Plumbing Basics

Plumbing follows the basic laws of nature — gravity, pressure, water seeking its own level. Knowing this, you can understand its “mysteries” and make dozens of fixes to your home’s plumbing system. You can save yourself time, trouble, and money!

The plumbing system in your home is composed of two separate subsystems. One subsystem brings freshwater in, and the other takes wastewater out. The water that comes into your home is under pressure. It enters your home under enough pressure to allow it to travel upstairs, around corners, or wherever else it’s needed. As water comes into your home, it passes through a meter that registers the amount you use. The main water shutoff, or stop, valve is typically located close to the meter. In a plumbing emergency, it’s vital that you quickly close the main shutoff valve. Otherwise, when a pipe bursts, it can flood your house in no time. If the emergency is confined to a sink, tub, or toilet, however, you may not want to turn off your entire water supply. Therefore, most fixtures should have individual stop valves.

Water from the main supply is immediately ready for your cold water needs. The hot water supply, however, requires another step. One pipe carries water from the cold water system to your water heater. From the heater, a hot water line carries the heated water to all the fixtures, out-lets, and appliances that require hot water. A thermostat on the heater maintains the temperature you select by turning the device’s heating elements on and off as required. The normal temperature setting for a home water heater is between 140 degrees F and 160 degrees F, but 120 degrees F is usually adequate and is also more economical. Some automatic dishwashers require higher temperature water, though many of these have a water heater within them that boosts the temperature another 20 degrees F.

Drainage Systems

Whether your home is on a sewer or septic system, the systems within your home are essentially the same. Drainage systems do not depend on pressure, as supply systems do. Instead, waste matter leaves your house because the drainage pipes all pitch, or angle, downward. Gravity pulls the waste along. The sewer line continues this downward flow to a sewage treatment facility or a septic tank.

While the system sounds simple, there’s more to it, including vents, traps, and clean outs. The vents sticking up from the roof of your house allow air to enter the drainpipes. If there were no air supply coming from the vents, wastewater would not flow out properly and the water in the traps would need to be siphoned away.

Traps are vital components of the drainage system. You can see a trap under every sink. It is the curved or S-shape section of pipe under a drain. Water flows from the basin with enough force to go through the trap and out through the drainpipe, but enough water stays in the trap afterward to form a seal that prevents sewer gas from backing up into your home. Every fixture must have a trap. Toilets are self-trapped and don’t require an additional trap at the drain. Bathtubs frequently have drum traps, not only to form a seal against sewer gas but also to collect hair and dirt in order to prevent clogged drains. Some kitchen sinks have grease traps to collect grease that might otherwise cause clogging. Because grease and hair are generally the causes of drain clogs, traps often have clean-out plugs that give you easier access to remove or break up any blockage.

Since a drainage system involves all of these components, it is usually referred to as the DWV: the drain-waste-vent system. If water is to flow out freely and waste is to exit properly, all components of the DWV must be present and in good working order. Examine the pipes in the basement or crawl space under your house to help you understand the system better.

Supply and Drainage Subsystems

The supply and drainage subsystems are two distinct operations, with no overlapping between them. There are bridges between the two, however, and the bridges are what make the plumbing system worth having. In plumbing jargon, any bridge between the supply and drainage systems is a fixture.

Toilets, sinks, and tubs are fixtures. In addition, an outside faucet is a fixture and so is a washing machine. All devices that draw freshwater and discharge wastewater are fixtures, and all are designed to keep the supply and drainage systems strictly segregated.

Some fixtures have individual supply shutoff valves so you don’t need to close the main shutoff to repair them. It’s a good idea to make sure everyone in the family knows the location of the main shutoff valve in your house as well as how to use it. You may want to tag the main shutoff valve so anyone can easily find it.

Before you embark on any plumbing repairs, always turn off the water supply to the fixture or the main shutoff. In addition, check with your local plumbing code official before you add or change any pipe in your house. You will learn what is allowed and what is prohibited and whether or not a homeowner is allowed to do his or her own work. If you get the green light, you can save yourself a lot of money by doing your own repairs.

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Five Advantages of Plumbing Maintenance That Will Make Your Life Easier

With everything you have going on in your life, it can be easy to ignore your plumbing. After all, as long as there are no leaks and everything is moving as it should, it’s fine–right? Actually, regular maintenance on your plumbing can make your life MUCH easier. Consider these benefits to scheduling a regular maintenance service from Ford’s Plumbing and Heating.

Better Water Pressure
Good water pressure is a wonderful thing and you may not even notice that you’ve lost pressure until things become REALLY bad. Regular maintenance will assure you have that water pressure you need to take a nice, relaxing shower after work.

Healthier Family
Mold and mildew cause health problems. By working regularly with a plumber, you can avoid having these substances enter your home through the pipes.

Less Chance of Emergency Repair
Plumbing emergencies require emergency service. This can be expensive and stressful. If you regularly maintain your system you’ll be much less likely to face an emergency repair in the future.

Save Money on Utilities
A well-maintained plumbing system will create less waste–saving you money on your monthly water bill.

Improve Value
When you have taken care of all repairs and maintained the plumbing system, you obviously care for the home. This will be reflected in your selling price one day when the time comes to move elsewhere.

We would love for you to avoid the hassle of calling an emergency plumber in Los Angeles. Schedule your maintenance service with Ford’s Plumbing and Heating today. We look forward to working with you!…

Why Its A Good Idea To Hire Professional Plumbers in Sarasota Florida

Overview of Sarasota, FL

What Should I Look Out For When I Hire A Plumber?

Plumbing is a tedious task and costly task, especially if you opt for the Do It Yourself approach. Therefore, it’s a great idea to hire professional plumbers. The main reason behind this is that companies like Armstrong Bros Plumbing in Sarasota ,FL have in-depth knowledge in this field. In addition, proper installation or repair of home systems is cost-effective. Choosing a competent plumber is a daunting task, especially due to stiff competition in the current market. Recently, high-tech has brought many changes in various fields. Therefore, it’s essential to invest sufficient time when choosing the right plumber. There are numerous things to consider before hiring a plumber. Below are essential tips for choosing an experienced plumber.

1. Check Clients Testimonials and Reviews

Recently, at least all plumbing companies have an official online website. A website is essential because it helps in attaining a competitive advantage. Online marketing improves the output of a plumbing company by improving organic traffic. Therefore, before choosing a certain plumbing firm, it’s important to perform concrete research of the company. Clients’ online reviews and testimonials play a significant role in portraying the reputation of a plumbing firm. A reputable plumbing company will have positive online reviews and comments.

2. Professionalism

The right plumbing firm should have a minimum of five years of experience. Experience is core in plumbing because it reflects the longevity of your systems. This will, therefore, lower maintenance costs. Note that investing in a professional plumber will save you a huge amount of money in the long-term. An experienced plumber will work tirelessly to satisfy your tastes and preferences. Experienced plumbers have sufficient knowledge in this field because they have dealt with numerous plumbing projects. In addition, a professional plumber will use the right techniques and approaches in order to save your time and money.

3. Excellent Reputation

A professional plumber should have an excellent reputation. A perfect reputation shows the willingness of a plumbing company to provide prime services to all clients. The right plumbing firm will have a reliable customer service. Note that there’s a high probability of an experienced plumbing firm to have an appealing reputation. A reputable plumber will give you peace of mind, thus improving your concentration when dealing with fruitful projects.

4. Quality of Services

Take your time when selecting a suitable plumber to fix, install, or repair your systems. Avoid the Do It Yourself approach because you’ll spend a considerable amount of money in the long run. Performing the entire plumbing task on your own will require a high maintenance cost because the system will be prone to damages. Therefore, it’s a great idea to invest in an experienced and reputable plumber. A reliable plumber will provide prime services at an affordable price.

5. Warranty

The right plumber will give you a warranty to prove the quality of their service. The best plumbing company will strive to fulfill the dreams of a homeowner. Any repairs required within the quoted period in the warranty, expert plumbers will repair your systems free of charge. A plumbing company that provides a warranty is the best because you’ll be assured of high-quality services.

6. Legal Documentation

Hire a plumbing company that is adhering to the state’s laws and regulations in this field. In addition, the right plumbing company should have a license and insurance cover. Double-check all the provided documents to ensure they’re certified. Also, ensure the insurance company is reputable. In case of any injuries or property damage, the insurance company will be liable, thus giving you peace of mind. A license shows that the company is willing and has the ability to provide high standard services. Working with a licensed Florida Plumber is important because the firm will use proper channels.

Benefits of Hiring Professional Plumbers Pompano Beach

1. Time Management

Time management is an essential factor in various fields. A professional plumber will work at a certain schedule in order to save your time. An expert plumber will complete the entire task on time and also provide excellent services. Saving your time gives you peace of mind when handling your day-to-day activities. In addition, saving time will help you improve production in your area of specialization. The right plumber will use superior tools to enhance the efficiency of the task.

2. latest Technology

When choosing the right plumbing firm in Pompano Beach, many individuals opt for a company that specializes in the latest technology. Recently, due to ever-changing technology, plumbing firms are using advanced plumbing tools and equipment. High-tech plumbing tools and equipment are essential because they improve not only the efficiency but also the effectiveness of the plumbing task. Avoid the DIY approach because you lack sufficient knowledge to use high-tech plumbing tools and equipment.

3. Cost-Effective

Homeowners will always hire a plumbing company that will have the ability to provide prime services at an affordable price. Plumbers in Pompano Beach will help you save a lot of money in the long run. Expert plumbers will come with advanced plumbing tools and equipment, thus minimizing your cost. In addition, these professionals will provide high-quality and standards of services, thus lowering the cost of repair in the long run.

4. Improve Longevity of your Systems

Proper installation and repair of plumbing systems are essential because it enhances the longevity of your systems. This is essential because it’s cost-effective in the long-run. Avoid the DIY approach because it will lead to improper installation or repair, thus increasing maintenance costs. A well-installed system will improve the aesthetic value of your home. Also, proper installation and repair of systems prevent property damage.

5. Expert Advice

The right plumbing company should be willing to provide you with adequate tips and trick of enhancing your system’s life span. Plumbers in Pompano Beach are well-qualified in this industry, thus enabling them to give expert advice on matters concerning plumbing systems.

Conclusion

Hiring the right plumber can be a daunting and tedious task. Therefore, it’s a great idea to invest enough time. Above-listed are benefits of working with a professional plumber and tips to consider before hiring a professional plumber in Pompano Beach.

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