Nobody said you must become a professional at fixing plumbing systems to ensure a comfortable and efficient lifestyle. However, there are a few important things you have to learn about it. After all, this isn’t only for your own good, but also for your home and the people living in it. Although you can always call the experts when it comes to major repairs; it always helps when you know about the basic plumbing secrets.
Turning on and off the water
In case of a leak, the first thing that you have to do is to shut off the water. You don’t really need to call and wait for the plumber to come. You can always go directly to the water source and turn it off. This is among the first things to do when it comes to any plumbing repairs.
Fixing a leaky pipe
Depending on the degree of the damage and the type of plumbing, you can fix a leaking pipe with epoxy putty or a pipe clamp. But first, you have to know where the leak is, shut off the main water supply, put the clamp all over the pipe, and then apply the putty or tighten the screws.
Dripping faucet
There is no need to call a plumber when your faucet is dripping. It is just an easy fix, and sure enough, you can do it yourself. In general, faucets use a rubber washer to stop the water flow. But over time, it can wear out. When this happens, you can simply replace it. For the newer faucet designs, you might have to replace the whole valve cartridge and look for more parts. Thus, things will be a bit hard, yet still manageable.
Plumbing tools
If you’ve already tried any basic plumbing repairs, you’ll definitely feel more confident when it comes to fixing complex plumbing tasks. But, be sure you also have the right tools. These should include a plumber’s snake, pipe wrenches, a metal file, and a hacksaw.
Checking hidden water leaks
Leaks may happen without you knowing about it. It can happen in your bathroom, in the kitchen, or in some other places at home. In order to find hidden water leaks, you can check for molds, damaged flooring, damaged paint, mildew, unpleasant smells, or stains on the ceiling. These are among the common signs of an apparent hidden leak.
Replacing your plumbing
Compared to new plumbing systems, the old ones are more likely to get leaks. So, to avoid this from happening, check the pipes from time to time. And then, decide whether there is a need to replace everything or not. Basically, it will depend on the type of pipes you are using. If possible, before you install a pipe, know the type and ask about the expected life span. You also have to watch for signs of damage.
Plumbing inspections
It is advised that every homeowner should take advantage of regular plumbing inspections. It should be a common sense to have a professional plumber maintain and inspect the plumbing system at least once a year. They will be able to tell whether any major repairs should be done. And since they’re doing maintenance and inspection, the rates will be a bit cheaper than any massive repairs.
Research
If you know you are inexperienced when it comes to plumbing-related tasks, make sure you do some thorough research. You can find some articles and tutorial videos online that provide step-by-step tips to make the task easier and faster.
Nevertheless, there is nothing wrong about putting things into your own hands. But then again, calling a professional plumber can actually give you more knowledge about how a plumbing system works, which is indeed a good way to start.
Linda Herington is a building and structure enthusiast who’s completely passionate about design, structural planning, industrial revolution and general history. She shows her immense love in the home repair field by regularly contributing awesome ideas and content to Banjo Nominees. Follow her on Twitter @LindaHerington.
