Jun
3
Ask a Plumber: Common Plumbing Questions about Shutting Off the Water Supply
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There is a common saying that what you don’t know won’t hurt you. Well, I’m here to suggest yet another area where this old adage is wrong. When it comes to your plumbing and your water supply, in an emergency, what you don’t know can hurt you…quite a bit. Here are a few common questions regarding shutting off the water supply to your home.
1. Is there a way to shut off all the water to my house or to my property?
Yes, there is a way to shut off all water to either your house or your property. If you discover water leaking all over the house at midnight, you can shut off the water supply to the building at the main shut off valve. If the issue is in the property, there is a primary shut off valve that will cut the supply of water to the house and the yard. Read more
May
11
The History Of The Faucet
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Have you ever turned on the water to fill your tub and wondered about the history of your faucet?
The faucet has an interesting history that traces back to ancient times. As early as 1700 B.C., plumbing and faucets were being used to control the water to fountains and private homes. The Romans utilized plumbing and faucets to run water to 11 public baths, 856 private baths, and 1,352 cisterns and fountains. Read more
Apr
8
When you find yourself standing in two inches of water in your bathroom, your first reaction might be to panic. After all, water is pouring out from under the sink and you have no idea how to turn it off. Your mind will race, trying to decide what to do. You may even try plugging the leak with something, even your own hands, in hopes that it will slow down enough for someone to help you.
Water emergencies happen all of the time and they happen when you least expect it. It is essential for any homeowner to know how to find and shut off the water main for their home. By being prepared for an emergency, you will not have to worry when the water starts running. You will already know exactly what to do. Read more
Mar
11
Your basement should be a useful space in your home, not simply an area for storage. With a finished basement, you can add square footage and value to your home. With the addition of a bathroom in your finished basement, your home’s appeal goes up even higher. Adding a bathroom to your basement is not as daunting as it sounds. With the right information, equipment, material, and help (if needed), you can have a bathroom that will make your basement the envy of all your friends!
Determine the size and layout of your bathroom. Do not just dive in to your project. Take the time to pick the ideal location in your basement. Create a plan of how you ultimately want your bathroom to look. This includes whether or not you want a full bathroom. Decide, in advance, where you want the toilet, sink and tub/shower.
Start with the frame. The first part of the actual construction begins with the frame. Check with local code enforcement for any standard regulations you must follow in choosing the right material. Basement remodeling usually requires different material than upper level remodels due to the location.
Plumbing and electrical wiring come next. After the frame is built, you are ready to install the wiring and plumbing needed to make your bathroom function. If you are not licensed to do this, hire a professional. While there are some things that are possible to learn on the fly, others can have a huge impact. A flood from a pipe laid in error, or a fire from a faulty connection could be devastating. Also speak with professionals first as you are in planning phase. They may be able to offer advice on the easiest and least costly way to place certain fixtures.
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Jan
27
The History of Plumbing
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Of all the modern conveniences we enjoy today, perhaps one of the greatest is modern plumbing. Without a thought, we turn on a faucet anticipating water at a specified temperature. We flush a toilet with certain expectations. We think nothing of the excess water we run, knowing it will flow down the drain and out of the house. But there was a time when none of these luxuries were available. Modern plumbing is the result of a long and rather less than glorious history.
The earliest settlers used nature as a restroom and streets as garbage cans. It wasn’t until the mid 19th century that America began to make any real strides in water or sewage systems. It was then that the infamous water closet was born. A much cruder version of our modern day port-a-potties, the outhouse, or water closet, was an odiferous mark on the landscape.
1845 brought an early attempt at sanitary sewage disposal giving plumbing a major leap forward. However, a functioning (and endurable) indoor water closet was still just beyond reach. The venting for this system was a stack that went up through the roof, but no one knew the proper dimensions for this device. As a result, poor plumbing and the terrible smell made residences with these new devices uninhabitable.
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Dec
29
We utilize the plumbing in our homes every day. We turn on faucets, take showers, and flush toilets without a thought to the pipes that make it all possible. Could you recognize the signs that your home’s plumbing needs to be replaced? Here are a few tips to help you know when it’s time to replace your plumbing.
1. Replace certain materials now – If you live in an older home, and have not updated the plumbing, now may be the time. If your pipes are made of lead or polybutylene you need to replace them now, no matter their age. Lead pipes can release lead into your water, causing serious health hazards. Polybutylene pipes tend to break down with the antioxidants in our water supply, and can become dry, brittle, and crack or flake.
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Dec
8
10 Things That Will Clog Your Toilet
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Dealing with a clogged toilet can be a difficult task. The method you choose for fixing the problem, however, may depend on what is causing the clog. Here are some of the most common items that will clog your toilet drain:
1. Toilet paper – Children are prone to use too much toilet paper, or create a game involving watching toilet paper flush down the drain.
2. Feminine supplies – Most toilets are simply not able to handle these types of products effectively, so it is best to put these products into the garbage rather than the toilet.
3. Paper towels – This type of paper simply does not work like toilet paper in toilets. It does not take long for paper towels to cause problems in the workings of your drain system.
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Dec
2
When To Hire A Plumber
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As a homeowner, you constantly run into little jobs that eat away at your off time. Your weekly “honey-do” lists can quickly turn into a nightmare if you aren’t careful. Yet should you really hire a plumber for the little things? Or should you reserve it only for the big jobs or emergencies?
While it might seem like a good idea to save a few bucks and fix the washer in a faucet, or clear a clogged drain, the pros handle these situations every day. What if you turn a washer too far, causing a larger leak? Or what if you break the fitting, causing a sudden flow of water? The few bucks you were trying to save can quickly escalate into a major repair.
Yes, plumbing isn’t always difficult, but it does take a lot of knowledge and experience. It also takes patience and perseverance. If you’ve ever run to the hardware store again and again – and again – because you didn’t get the right part, you know how frustrating it can be.
There are two different kinds of plumbers – the plumber specializing in service calls, and the plumber specializing in construction or home design.
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Nov
18
How To Build a Plumbers Tool Kit
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Own a home? Then chances are you’ll face a few plumbing problems throughout the year. With a few simple tools, anyone can build a plumbers tool kit and be prepared for a plumbing repair or malfunction.
First, find a sturdy toolbox to hold all of your tools. It is a good idea to have a box that will be dedicated to plumbing tools. This will make it easy to find the tools when the need arises.
The most important tools in a plumber’s tool kit are wrenches. Start with a size 14 pipe wrench. This should be big enough to handle most home emergencies and repairs, but not so big that it won’t fit in a tool box. The pipe wrench is used to loosen and tighten threaded pipefittings. Another essential wrench is the adjustable wrench, often known as a crescent wrench. This wrench is used to tighten and loosen machined pipe fitting with a hex head.
Tongue and groove pliers are another important addition to the toolbox. These pliers are multipurpose tools that can be used to loosen joints and fittings and can also be used to hold slippery pipes.
Jul
28
Whether you are in the process of buying a water heater because of an emergency, or are looking to upgrade before the emergency happens, wouldn’t it be nice if you could save money in the process?
One of the ways Colorado is helping out its residents to become more efficient every day is through rebate programs. The Colorado Governor’s Energy Office is offering rebates to homeowners who purchase and install certain energy efficient appliances, heating equ8ipment and weatherization materials.
To be eligible for the rebate, you must uninstall and recycle the old equipment, and properly install the new equipment that meets the standards. Rebates are good on equipment purchased after April 19, 2010, and while funds are available.
To learn more about the rebates available to you, visit Recharge Colorado.
Blogroll
- Quality 1st Plumbing website - Quality 1st Plumbing website
- Troubleshooter - Tom Martino – The Trouble Shooter
- WaterSense