Are You Building or Remodeling a New Home, or Need Plumbing Tips It is critical that when installing or renovating your new home’s plumbing systems that care is taken in their installation. An incorrect install or improper maintenance could cost significantly more in repairs than what has already been paid out for. Our Top Plumbing Tips For the DIYer Whether building from scratch, renovating an older property, or looking to expand, taking great care when plumbing must always be taken to avoid costly repair bills in addition to upfront expenses. City Supply is an established provider of plumbing supplies. Specializing exclusively in plumbing supply store, City Supply are direct distributors for many major manufacturers across the US and provide over one million items including fittings, pipes and valves as well as flush valves, flush toilets drinking fountains drain cleaning cables water heaters as well as much more!
We’ve compiled a list of must-read tips for plumbing in your house.
Know Where Shut Off Valves Are
Make sure that you know where the primary shut off valve for your home’s water source is located. This is where water enters from either town water or wells before being distributed to various fixtures and pipes throughout your home. In case of plumbing emergencies, quickly finding this location so as to switch off water can save enormous costs from an outright disaster.
Be wary of where your sewer line’s access point is. Additionally, be mindful of where the shut-off for outdoor spigots lies.
Always Keep Plumbing Lines in Mind
Homeowners engaging in DIY projects often damage water pipes during construction activities – just one small nick can increase the risk of rupture! Be mindful when working near heating registers, plumbing fixtures and equipment which contain plumbing pipes hidden below or behind floors/walls which provide water.
Flush Wisely
Only toilet paper should ever be flushed into the toilet! We cannot stress this enough as clogged toilets are among the most frequent repairs and any attempt at other forms of cleaning may clog it further, leading to major repair bills for you as well as your plumbing system. Furthermore, using flushable products such as baby wipes or feminine products as toiletries could clog it further still!
Dispose of Garbage Wisely
Food waste should only ever go in your garbage disposal system, including vegetable peelings, leaves of vegetables, grease and fat accumulation from coffee grounds or starchy food such as pasta and rice that could create blockages to the system.
Locate the Main Water Shutoff Valve
Find and know how to operate the shutoff valve if flooding, leakage or another plumbing emergency arises. Being able to shut off the water source will prevent substantial water damage in your new residence and can be administered by any household member if competent and old enough.
Keep the Pipes Protected
Oklahoma winters can change quickly. Frozen water in pipes could expand and burst, leading to flooding issues and plumbing concerns in your home. Pipe sleeves or any form of insulation could prevent this from occurring if installed early enough.
Look for Existing Leaks
Keep a keen eye out for any signs of standing water or dampness, staining on walls and ceilings and walls, decreased showerhead or faucet water pressure or sound of running water as possible indicators that leaks may exist. Faucets, toilets, washing machines and hose bibs should all be checked frequently as these could be potential points of intrusion.
Waterproof Your Basement: To avoid problems with groundwater, install a sump pump and french drain. Clean gutters, install downspout extensions and alter yard levels so they are slightly higher than your home. If any water-using devices exist within your basement home, premium hoses should also be installed for optimal operation.
Install a Whole Home Leak Detection System
Monitoring plumbing systems and appliances as well as tracking water usage is made easy with this device, with alerts provided if something doesn’t function as intended or leaks are discovered.
Practice Safety When Doing DIY Work
If you are taking on plumbing tasks but lack professional training to identify where every pipe, fixture, valve, or fixture lies. Always read warning labels when purchasing items used and switch off power when near a source of power or appliance. Wear earplugs, goggles, gloves and facemasks as precautionary measures against potential harm to yourself during this process.
Install Strainers in Shower/Tub Drains
Shampoo, hair soap and other substances can clog drains and cause blockages to your pipes, but an easy way to avoid this problem is installing drain strainers over each drain.
Make Sure Every Connection Is Tight
If you are installing pipes, fittings or any appliance such as washing machine dishwasher or ice machine, make sure each connection you install is sealed to prevent leakage or potential disaster.
Know How to Maintain Your Toile
Many plumbing issues arise from poor toilet usage. To keep it running smoothly, all that should be needed to keep things humming along smoothly is changing out your toilet paper every week or two. Contact a plumber if there are signs of leaks; or place food coloring into the tank to see whether any water makes its way into the bowl – if that occurs then leak repair services must be scheduled promptly.
Wet Vac to the Rescue
If you are aware of what has caused a blockage and can see some evidence of its source, using a dry vacuum could help alleviate it. If there’s something small and hard like toys or hairclips blocking your drain and you want to clear them out quickly and efficiently, try sucking out obstruction rather than plunging in order to clear them more effectively; plunging will only push these objects deeper down.
Always Check Your Plumbing Work
After finishing any plumbing DIY or repair job, be sure to test for leaks by flooding the system for several minutes and inspecting under the sink as well as opening and closing all drains and valves connected to it. Just as professional plumbers must seal connections or tighten valves when performing professional jobs, so make sure you take time out to review your efforts thoroughly.
NEVER Ignore Leaks
If you detect a leak under your sink or a drippy faucet, be aware that money is being siphoned away as well as being an early warning of potential trouble ahead. A leaky faucet can waste as much as 8 gallons a day while running toilets can waste an average of 200. By stopping small leaks before they become costly repairs it will help avoid expensive repair bills in the future.