The plumbing system in your home is among the essential components of the structure. It also has the potential to be the most difficult to maneuver through. In the following paragraphs, we will cover some fundamental dos and don'ts of the plumbing department.
Before any do-it-yourself plumbing project, there are a few safety measures that anyone with a modicum of common sense should take, in addition to a few legal requirements that should be kept in mind. Things like safety considerations to keep in mind when working with tools and the legalities involved with installations, particularly those involving gas appliances.
What Are the Dos in Plumbing?
Safety
Plumbers need to practice safe work practices both while they are in training and when they are working. This includes wearing protective gear like safety goggles and steel-toed boots and utilizing the appropriate tools for the job.
Protective eyewear that wouldn't blur is a must-have for any plumber, whether chopping pipe to size or trying to keep dust out of the attic. We think you'll eventually regret not using them if something were to happen to your eyes.
Awareness
Since plumbing is work done with pipes of many different kinds, it is necessary to know what is contained within the pipe; is it sewage? What about water under pressure? Gas? Make sure you are aware of what is inside the pipes before you take any action.
Do Your Homework!
Even the most basic aspects of plumbing can present challenges; if anything ever goes wrong, it can have far-reaching effects on the pipes. Owning and using the appropriate tools to make even relatively simple adjustments is essential. Do your homework on how to complete the task, and then double-check that you have everything you require to succeed rather than coming up with creative workarounds.
Shut Down the Valves
Make it a point that every family member is familiar with the location of the water shutdown valves and how to operate them. If unsure, you should have a plumber take you on tour. After the tour, you should tag each valve with a description of its mechanism and instructions on how to turn it off.
If the pipe bursts, rapidly turning off the water supply to the area where it is leaking can prevent serious damage. It would help if you did maintenance checks on your house's main water shutoff valve once or twice a year to ensure it is in good functioning.
The Don'ts in Plumbing
Not Inspecting Properly
Inspect your water heater, shutoff valves, exposed pipes, and faucets regularly to look for any signs of leaks—conduct routine checks of the walls and ceilings for any indications of water damage. If you discover a leak, you should have it fixed as soon as possible.
Before diving into a project, you should always check in with the client and understand their needs. This will help you determine whether you have the resources to finish the project, provide an accurate estimate, and help you be more prepared for what to expect on the job site.
Don't Let Hair Go Down the Drain!
Keeping hair from getting into your pipes is one of the most important things you can do to prevent clogged drains. Keeping hair out of your drains can even avoid a sewer system clogging that might otherwise spew sewage. Proactively maintaining your plumbing can end up saving you a lot of money.
Don't Let the Water Running!
It doesn't matter if you're trying to fix a water leak or a toilet that keeps running; you should first switch off the water supply to your house. In this method, you can avoid making a mess or causing plumbing problems that are more severe than the ones you are now attempting to address.
Don't Rely on Chemicals Only; Try Home Remedies
Make use of methods that are more natural to unclog your drains. Nobody enjoys having to deal with a sink or shower that is clogged. However, if that happens, you should not rely on chemicals that can be purchased in stores to solve the problem.
Even if they are effective, those methods might cause irreparable damage to your plumbing. Instead, you should use things available in your home, such as hot water, salt, baking soda, and vinegar, to assist you.
Don't Work Without a Safety Kit!
Working with water almost guarantees you'll spend a lot of time in wet or moldy rooms. An allergic response and aggravation symptoms, such as sneezing, red eyes, or even a rash, can be triggered by encountering mold or breathing in polluted air.
People with respiratory conditions such as asthma or eczema should protect themselves by purchasing a mask and gloves of high quality to avoid experiencing a flare-up of their symptoms.
However, chemicals that claim to clear pipes of obstructions might corrode pipes over time, rendering such a solution ineffective in the long run. A plumber or line clearing business can safely and effectively clear your pipes of obstructions and improve their flow if you have slow drainage or a clogged drain.
Dispose of Food
It's common to practice throwing all food waste into the garbage disposal. However, placing the incorrect objects in the drain can damage or destroy your pipes, leading to a system failure.
Regardless of their name, garbage disposals are not designed to be used as a dumping ground for all your kitchen garbage and leftovers. Long-term damage can be done by oil, grease, fat, and starches (like potato or flour), which may not promptly obstruct your sink but can lead to pipe buildup and ongoing drainage issues.
To keep your garbage disposal in good working order, use lots of cold water when you need to run it, and consider giving it an occasional cleaning with ice cubes. One should exercise extra caution when disposing of food waste in the kitchen sink if they do not have disposal. For easier garbage disposal, use a sink strainer to collect leftover food.
Our Final Thoughts
Slight plumbing issues, such as water pooling at the toilet's base or a gurgling sound coming from the drain, may go unnoticed. It is possible to prevent major repairs by examining warning signals and discussing them with a professional.
Investing in high-quality components and fixtures from reliable vendors and installers can delay the need for a replacement by years and can even prevent costly water damage from occurring in the event of a failure; if you are looking for a professional but are on a budget, give Mesa Plumbing Company a try.