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The Complete Plumbing Guide Things to Know About Plumbing
It may seem hard to learn what you need to know about plumbing, but with this plumbing guide, you can educate yourself on the subject.
By the time you finish reading this helpful guide, you should be a bit more informed about different aspects of plumbing. While you may not be the world’s greatest plumber, perhaps you will develop the skills to fix the occasional home plumbing problem.
As always if you need more advice or services you
Noisy Pipes
Noisy pipes are actually a lot easier to fix than you would imagine. What you will have to do is anchor any pipes that are exposed. If these pipes on the ceiling, or on the floors or walls, it might be a good idea to hire a professional like AlfaPlumbing Services to help you finish the project.
The 5 Noises Commonly made By Pipes
Banging Pipes:
If you have strapped the pipes down and you still hear banging noises coming from the pipes, this problem is usually caused by a problem with the water pressure of water flow. The two most common problems are water hammers or trapped air.
The cure for this problem depends on when the home was built. Homes built before the 1960’s usually have air chambers which are basically t sections of pipe that contain air as shock absorbers. In thim this air gets displaced by water. If you have these problems try this:
- Shut off the water to your home at the main
- Open the highest faucet in your home
- Open the lowest faucet (it’s usually outside or in the basement) and let all the water drain out. At this point the air will be “refilled” in the air chambers
- Turn the lowest faucet off (the one you opened in step #3) and turn the water main back on
- Let the top faucet run until it stops sputtering, then turn it off
If you are still having this problem you can call the experts at Alfa Plumbing Services. They will be more than happy to come out and inspect the problem and give you a free quote.
If the home was built after the 1960s there should be arrestors. These are springloaded and rarely fail. So if you hear water banging your home may not have these arrestors installed.
Knocking Pipes, This Happens Only When Hot Water Is Running
The usual events when knocking pipes happen is
- A clicking/knocking noise starts soon after a hot water tap is turned on
- Clicking/knocking noise doesn’t stop until several minutes after the hot water tap is off
What the cause is more than likely Poor construction of CPVC water lines.
Some homes use CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl-chloride) as their hot water supply pipes. If a CPVC line was routed through a hole or area that is too tight, you’ll hear a rubbing/clicking/knocking noise anytime hot water runs through that pipe.
Why?
CPVC piping naturally expands when hot water runs through it. To accommodate this, a plumber should make sure that CPVC piping has plenty of free space around it at all times to prevent friction. If it’s lodged in a tight area, you’ll be stuck with the annoying knocking noises.
How to know that you have poor construction of CPVC water lines
- You see cream-colored or light tan piping running to your hot water appliances. These pipes will also be marked “CPVC”.
- You only hear the knocking/clicking noises when a hot water tap is turned on
- The noises stop several minutes after the hot water tap is turned off
What’s the solution?
The only solution is to find the CPVC pipe(s) that are causing the noises and to
Because this could involve cutting into walls and/or relocating CPVC piping, we suggest you leave this job to a professional plumber.
Humming Noises
Probable cause id when your water pressure is too high for the system’s capacity, it can leave your pipes vibrating. This vibration may result in a humming noise, especially when the water is running.
If you do not have access to a reading of your water pressure, have a professional test the pressure and make adjustments to eliminate any humming noises.
Gurgling Sounds
When your pipes have difficulty draining, they may protest with a distinct glugging or gurgling sound. Usually this noise indicates the presence of an obstruction in the pipes. This obstruction may consist of an item that accidentally washed down the drain, built-up soap scum or other debris, or mineral and hard water deposits on the sides of the pipes.
A professional drain cleaning takes care of pipe obstructions and, by extension, most gurgling or sucking noises.
Squealing or Whistling
Your plumbing system relies on many small components to make the faucets and valves work properly. When a washer or other small component wears out, you may notice squealing or whistling when that section of plumbing is used.
Most commonly, broken and worn washers occur near your dishwasher or washing machine. If you notice squeaks or squeals near those appliances when you run them, have a plumber check that all the valve components are working properly.
Use the information above to determine how best to quiet down your pipes.
In many cases, loud plumbing noises require the diagnosis and treatment of a professional. If you need drain cleaning, pipe reattachment, or system calibrating, trust the team at Cleary Plumbing.
Septic Tank Tips
If you want to maintain effective functionality in the septic tank, pumping it out twice a decade is a really good idea. This keeps the tank from developing a buildup of sediment, thereby preventing the septic system from backing up or failing altogether as a result.
It is a small price to pay now to keep your septic in good working order and prevent having to pay for a major repair caused by a backup.
A little Garbage Disposal Tips
Never reach into your garbage disposal with bare hands, I know this is common sense but you would be surprised.
Even when they are turned off, disposals can be very dangerous. Locate your garbage disposal manual, or do an Internet search for troubleshooting advice and a diagram that illustrates your model.
When running your garbage disposal, plumbers recommend using only cold water to help ease food particles down the drain.
The cold water will help keep the blades nice and sharp and will allow for
A common misconception is that if you flow water into the disposal while you’re putting solid items down there, the process will be smoother, but that just isn’t true. Actually, the water can make the garbage stick to the disposal, which can lead to more damage.
Keep the garbage disposal clean to make sure it will last as many years as your house does. By incorporating a regular cleaning routine, your garbage disposal can stay running smoothly.
One way to clean your disposal is to run dish detergent and lemon rinds through your garbage disposal. As an added benefit, this technique will also eliminate any scents from your disposal.
Keeping The Bath Tub Drain Flowing
Pour baking soda and vinegar down your bathtub drain every month. Cover it with a plug or rag, because a chemical reaction is sure to occur in your pipes. Flush it with boiling water after a few minutes. This procedure will clear the hair and soap scum out of your pipes.
People With Wells
If your house uses well water and you start to see orange or pink stains in your tub and other water fixtures, you have too much iron in your water. A water softener can cure this problem and can be installed by you, or you may opt to have a professional to come and install it for you.
How To Save Some Money
By installing shower heads that are more efficient, you will be able to save a lot of money. Most of your water bills come from the water you use to shower.
By installing energy-efficient shower heads for a few extra dollars, you can save up to $100 or more a year per shower head in your house. If you need to replace your shower head, make sure that you buy a new one that is high quality.
There are some who think that low price is all that matters when buying fixtures for the bathroom. Cheap shower heads are not well-made and are very likely to break. Buying a cheap shower head will end up costing you more money over the long-term
Has This Plumbing Guide Helped?
Plumbing as a whole might seem like a lot to take on. However, when you do the needed research and spend the time to teach yourself what you need to know, learning how to do your own plumbing is not as hard as it might seem on the surface.
Armed with these tips from this plumbing guide, you can take care of some of the plumbing challenges that will surely face you in your home. Remember to keep studying to be able to take on all plumbing challenges.