If you discover that there is a leak, the first thing that you should do is to shut your water off while you wait for Joe the plumber to arrive. This will prevent any further water damage from occurring just in case hiring a plumber takes a little bit longer than you initially anticipated. The quickest way that you can stop water from leaking from your pipes is to go to the main valve and shut the water supply off there. Then you can go to one of the lowest points in the home or office building and open up a faucet, allowing the remaining water to drain out of the faucet based on gravity, which will significantly minimize the water escaping through the leak until Joe the plumber can arrive.

When Joe the Plumber does arrive, ask him or her how recurring problems can be prevented or avoided in the future. Most plumbers will charge an hourly rate for their service, along with any and all necessary parts costs. You can expect to pay somewhat more money for calls at night or during the weekend. Even at these rates, it is smart to consult with your plumber about repairs and parts options, as well as how future problems can be kept from reoccurring. The more you can learn about the intricacies of your home or office plumbing, the more likely you will be able to solve the problem your own self the next time.

When you decide that you need to hire a plumber, it is definitely going to be most reasonable to hire someone who is reputable and licensed. You should also try to appraise hourly rates beforehand, choosing a plumber that has an hourly rate that agrees with your budget. For example, some plumbers have lower rates on an hourly basis but charge for things like driving time, and others have a higher rate for hourly work, but the clock only starts when they arrive at the scene of the crime. Make your decision based on the rate you feel most comfortable paying, and do not be afraid to have a Joe the plumber on hand so that you can get the help that you need when you need it. Make sure that your plumber is validly licensed in your state if it is required, and keep their phone number of hand so that if a plumbing emergency occurs, you can do something about it.

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Originally posted 2008-10-21 05:18:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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If your house will be occupied during the winter, then you only need to ensure that exposed piping gets drained and protected. The first thing that should be located is the main shut off valve for the water. This valve should be marked and tested during warm days, before it will be needed. You should also locate, mark and test the shut off valves for outdoor hookups for watering hoses.

At this point, when winter starts to come around, you should remove all hoses and make sure that they are fully drained. Nicely coil them and put them away. Then locate the outdoor hookup shut off valve and turn off the water for all outside hookups. Once all of the hookups have been shut off, then open up all of the outdoor spigots to let the water drain. Make sure that the water drains completely, and leave the valves open all winter. To make extra sure that the pipes are dry, using a air compressor and charge the system to force out all of the water.

For water pipes that cannot be discharged, then the faucets and pipes that are exposed to unheated areas should be wrapped with an insulating wrap. If your hot water heater is also in an unheated area, it too should get wrapped up to insulate the water reservoir and conserve energy and prevent water freezing. If you encounter a pipe that has been frozen, there are electric heating tapes that can be used to heat the pipes and hopefully prevent any damage from occurring. Above all else, have a trusted and well-reviewed plumber on speed dial.

There are further steps to take if you should leave the home unheated, or if the weather gets especially cold. In the latter case, you should find a faucet farthest from the water main, and turn it on to just a trickle. This will keep the water flowing in all of your indoor pipes and prevent them from freezing.

If you plan on not keeping the home heated for an extended period of time, such as for a winter home, then the entire water system should be drained. First, switch off the main water valve and ensure that no water is entering the system. Then open all faucets and drain the system. Do not forget to drain the reservoirs on all toilets and that any other system with a reservoir of water is drained. Then use an air compressor to make sure all of the water is discharged. To make sure that nothing freezes, you should put antifreeze in the drains, spigots and reservoirs for the various systems, sinks and tub/showers. This will help to ensure nothing will freeze.

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Originally posted 2008-12-17 05:19:47. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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First, you will need to get some solid plumbing books or DVDs that will walk you through the most common jobs. You can refer to these if you get stuck during a project. Having these books on hand can really make a difference, especially when you are under the wire. If you already know how to do basic plumbing, you’re just one step ahead. Try to get a variety of different books that cover not only basic pipe and drain issues, but also how to fix toilets and fixtures to make sure you have a well rounded library.

Next, you will need to make sure that you have the right tools on hand for the job. Here’s what we recommend: a variety of different pipe wrenches, appropriately sized for your house’s plumbing. It sounds simple, but many people find out too late that they don’t have the right wrench on hand during an emergency. It is also a good idea to purchase what is called a plumber’s snake. These are tools that can be used to quickly unclog a drain and they are very helpful.

It is also a good idea to have a variety of caulks, sealants and silicone on hand. These are very helpful when it comes to fixing a leak, or putting in new tile. Make sure that they are all properly closed so that you don’t end up with a bunch of dried out tubes when you really need them. Next, you should have a good supply of pipe fittings for your different pipes throughout the house. The hardware store will have a variety of elbow joints, end caps and other things that you will need. Measure your pipes and get everything that you need.

You should also keep a supply of drain cleaner, empty buckets, gloves and other small items that are usually required during a repair session. Make sure your tool box contains a propane blow torch, a variety of pliers and wrenches and anything else that your house may require. Keep all of your tools in a safe, dry place where they can be easily accessed. That way, when something does happen, you’ll be able to grab your stuff and get right to work.

Finally, it is a good idea to practice your skills from time to time, so that they don’t get rusty. If you have an extra bathroom, you can use this to try fixing a leak, cleaning out a drain or replacing the workings of your toilet. You’ll stay fresh and you’ll be ready to handle anything that comes your way.

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Originally posted 2008-08-19 05:06:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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The real danger associated with replacing the shower head is not to break the seal behind the wall where the pipe connected to the shower head comes off. Doing so will cause a leak that will cause water damage, and promote the growth of molds, some of which can be toxic.

1. To begin, before you buy a new shower head, remove the old one.

This is done by grabbing an appropriate pair of pliers or a wrench, and while holding the pipe to ensure it remains stationary, loosen the nut behind the old shower head until you can turn it with your fingers. Then using your fingers, remove the shower head completely.

2. If you need to replace the pipe as well, then carefully twist it counter clockwise until it starts to freely turn.

Keep turning without pulling on the pipe, until you feel no more resistance to turning. Gently pull the pipe out, continuing to turn if there is resistance to the pipe being pulled out.

3. Now you must clean up the pipe if it will get reused, and the other parts.

Let the old shower head drain completely and air dry completely. With the pipe, use a stiff wire brush to clean out the threads at either end. There should be no tape or debris in the threads.

4. Go to the store to purchase your new shower head, taking the old one and the old pipe with you.

When you buy a new shower head and/or pipe, ensure that the connection points match exactly to what is on the old one. This will ensure that you buy the correct equipment and that it will install correctly.

5. When it is time to install the new shower head, make sure again that the threads on the pipe and shower head are clean and free of any debris.

Now is time to install the pipe sealant. The pipe sealant is a material that is put onto the threads to ensure there are no tiny gaps where water will flow through. There are two major kinds. One is a compound that is brushed upon the threads before the pipe is reattached. The other is a Teflon tape. If you have the tape, your should first attach the pipe loosely without using the tape, making note of which way, clockwise or counter clockwise, you have to turn to tighten the pipe. Disassemble the system and put the tape on the threads in the same direction as you need for tightening the pipe. This will ensure that when you install the pipe, the rotation will hold the tape on, not scrape it off.

6. At this point, it is time to reassemble the system.

If you have a adjustable wrench which will span the size of the new showerhead, then use it to tighten the new showerhead. Make sure that the pipe, which has been installed and is tight, is stationary whilst the new shower head is being installed. Only tighten until there is no water leaks in the next step.

7. Turn the water on and watch for leaks.

Use a glass against the wall to listen for leaks inside where the pipe attaches to the system. If there is a leak, then tighten. Now you're done.

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Originally posted 2008-12-04 05:36:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1. Drain the water heater and the pipes.

This is something that many homeowners forget, but it is the most important step to take and should be done before anything else. If you don’t get rid of excess water in your pipes, plumbing and water heater, there is a chance that they could freeze. Since you won’t be at the home, you may never know what happened until it is too late. If you are not used to flushing your home’s plumbing system, you can easily hire a plumber to help with this job. Once everything has been flushed, double check to make sure that the main water line to the house has been shut off.

Some people recommend adding antifreeze to toilet water, but this is a hazard, particularly if you have pets and small children. It is best simply to flush the house system and close down the water line for the winter.

2. Seal all the windows.

In order to keep the temperature at a constant level, it’s a good idea to seal up and winterize all of your windows and doors. This can save you money on heating an extra home throughout the winter and will help keep the interior less dusty. You can purchase window and door sealing kits at your local hardware store and do this on your own.

3. Set your furnace to the desired level.

If you don’t mind heating the house all winter long, or if you haven’t completely flushed the house water system, you will need to make sure that you leave the heat on. Most people prefer to set the heat at about 50 to 60 degrees to keep it above freezing. This should reduce the cost for heating the house throughout the winter. If you prefer to just turn everything off, double check and make sure that no water is left in the pipes before you do.

4. Turn off the electricity.

If you will not be using the heating system, you can simply turn off the electricity for this portion of the year. Many people feel more comfortable doing this, since they won’t have to worry about electrical fires if something happens when they are not at the house. Talk with your power company about shutting down for the winter. If you have propane or natural gas lines in the home, you should also have those shut down for the winter.

These easy steps will help you make sure that your house is safe and sound for the winter and will be ready for you next spring.

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Originally posted 2008-11-20 05:40:26. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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