As a dad, you want your family to rely on and turn to you when they have problems. This includes everything from math homework to taking care of little repairs around the house. While you may prefer to leave larger projects to the professionals, you may also want to be able to take care of smaller chores like replacing faucets or installing an irrigation system in the garden.
To get the job done right, you may need some professional advice. So we talked to experienced plumbers from Imagine Plumbing about what you might need to know going into your next plumbing project. Here are a few tips you can use to make your plumbing projects a success.
Protect The Sprayer Hose
The space under your kitchen sink serves as valuable storage, but it’s also home to important plumbing. As you use the sink sprayer, the hose beneath the counter moves around and can rub against the supply lines. This eventually leads to snarls and causes the hose to stick. Put pipe insulation over the lines and shutoff valves to smooth out the area, prevent kinks and make sure there are no complaints about the sprayer hose operation.
Quiet Pipes With Felt
You can find felt with adhesive backing at the local hardware store. Use this to wrap pipes where they would rub against your wood joists. Simply unscrew the hanger, wrap the section in felt and then reattach the pipe. You’ll avoid wear on the pipe and eliminate the creaks and groans of metal rubbing on wood.
Plunger Then Shop Vacuum
If you have a clogged pipe that won’t respond to a plunger, consider pulling out the shop vacuum. If the clog is caused by a hard item just inside the line, the vacuum will usually be able to pull it out. If you’re dealing with a tub or sink, be sure to close off the emergency drain to maximize pressure and dislodge the item.
Shut Down Water, Grab The Plunger
You know to turn off the water before working on any plumbing project, but did you know you can clear water out of the trap with a plunger? After turning off the water, put the plunger over the drain and pump it a few times as if there were a clog in the line. This will force most of the air in the trap further down the pipes and out of your way.
Find Hidden Pipes With A Professional Trick
If you need to open up the floor to work on pipes, it helps to know where those pipes are. Attach a strong magnet to electrical fish tape and lower it into the drain lines. You can then use a compass to find the magnet. You’ll be directly over the pipes when the compass point starts spinning uncontrollably.
Review Your Information
Detailed directions for most plumbing repairs can be found online or in specialty books. Even though you may have a good idea of how a project should be done, it’s still wise to review some directions or a how-to manual. This will help you avoid common mistakes and ensure you do the project right the first time.
Easy Hot Water Tank Maintenance
You’ll need a bucket and some time. Identify in the owner’s manual where the drain valve is located. Place the bucket underneath the valve and drain the water into your bucket. Don’t dump this water down the drain, find a place outside to dump it. You won’t want this water in your house or anywhere you want vegetation to grow. Once the water runs clear, the job is finished!
You want to look like a hero in your child’s eyes, and that means taking care of problems when they come up. Use these tips to handle these little emergencies and avoid different plumbing problems. When you decide to handle a plumbing issue on your own, you can do so with greater confidence.
