PLUMBING TIP: DON’T GIVE YOUR TOILET THE FLU.
It starts with the scratchy throat. Then, a runny nose. But instead of calling the doctor, flu and cold sufferers end up having to call the plumber. Why? Because most people don't know that they shouldn't put facial tissue (like Kleenex) down the toilet. The last thing you want to happen when you are sick is to have a plumbing issue. Putting facial tissue down the toilet is one of the worst things you can do to your plumbing. If you do, you'll end up making your toilet sick! Facial tissue is made with higher cotton content than toilet tissue. While it doesn't sound like much, this difference makes facial tissue harder to break down in septic systems and increases the probability of clumping together and catching on something when flushed down the drain. Avoid adding to your illness and just throw facial tissue in the trash can.
9 Simple Tips To Keep Your Drains Clear...Always!
1.
Don't pour grease down the kitchen sink.
2.
Don't wash coffee grounds down the sink. Throw them out.
3.
Be sparing with chemical cleaners, particularly if you have brass, steel, or cast-iron traps and drainpipes; some caustic chemicals can corrode metal pipes.
4.
If used no more than once every few months, cleaners containing sodium hydroxide or sodium nitrate can be safe and effective.
5.
Clean floor drain strainers. Some tubs, showers, and basement floor drains have strainers that are screwed into the drain opening. You can easily remove these strainers and reach down into the drain with a bent wire to clear out accumulated debris. And be sure to scrub the strainer.
6.
Clean pop-up stoppers in the bathroom sink and the tub regularly. Lift out sink pop-ups once a week and rinse them off.
7.
Every few months, remove the overflow plate on a tub and pull up the pop-up assembly to reach the spring or rocker arm. Remove accumulated hair and rinse thoroughly.
8.
Keep the sewer pipes from the house free of tree roots that may invade them. If roots are a particular problem in your yard, you may need to call in professionals once a year or so to clear the pipes. They'll use an electric auger to cut out the roots.
9.
Flush the drain-waste and vent systems whenever you go up onto your house roof to clean out downspouts or gutters. Run water from a garden hose into all vents, giving them a minute or two of full flow.
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Know Your Material
Due to local building codes and even requirements of the mortgage company, knowing about piping materials goes a long way in starting any plumbing job.
Each specific pipe has its own uses, and local code dictates the ones you will use.
Here is a list of normal pipe used today:
•Rigid copper
•Flexible copper
•Rigid plastic PVC
•ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
•PEX (Crosslink Polyethylene)
•galvanized steel
Rigid copper is used for main water lines in many homes. You cannot bend rigid copper, so joints and tees must be soldered on. When soldering, always apply flux (also called soldering paste) to both surfaces. Flux retards oxidation when the copper is heated. Always use lead-free or nearly lead-free solder when sweating a copper joint. A modified acrylic polymer anaerobic in liquid form works very well, is strong and long-lasting like regular solder, and is great for working in tight spaces where fire from a soldering torch might be a hazard. This compound does not need a completely dried surface as solder does.
If there is a small drip from the existing water in the line while you are soldering, simply take a slice of white bread, remove the crust, and roll it into a tight ball. Insert in the pipe and the drip will stop. Turning on the water supply after the job is complete washes away the bread into the drain system.
Leaks and Things
If you have an inline faucet and it is leaking, you may be able to stop the leak by simply tightening the nut below the hand wheel.
Never tighten more than 1/4 turn to avoid damaging the valve. If the valve needs to be re-soldered, be sure to remove any hand wheels and interior parts, leaving just the base to work on. Drain down the water supply and re-solder the joint. It is always best to completely remove the unit when re-soldering. If you find a leak in a copper pipe, it can be repaired by cutting the pipe after the water is drained down. Using a tubing cutter, cut the pipe at the leak, and use a union or coupling to make the repair. A union is nothing more than a length of copper pie that has the same interior diameter as the external diameter of the pipe. It has a ridge in the center which allows the pipe to be slid in and then stop.
Soldering Correctly
The biggest mistake most people make when soldering is failing to get the interior of the fitting and the exterior of the pipe clean and shiny. Polish these surfaces with a fine emery clot until bright.
When soldering, never heat the pipe, but instead heat the fitting. Doing so allows the solder to be drawn into the fitting by capillary action. Use a propane torch to heat the fitting to the correct temperature. Uncoil the solder so that it is easy to work with, and when the fitting has reached the proper temperature, apply the solder. It will be sucked into the joint as the proper temperature has been reached. It may take a bit of practice, so try this first on some scrap pieces.
What's New?
The market today has quick-connect fasteners for every plumbing need. They work well with almost every kind of pipe. These connectors remove any chance of leaks, eliminate the need for high-temperature propane torches when working in a confined space and eliminate the learning curve for soldering. There are several different types of these connectors available. Some of them are even repairable, eliminating the need to replace the entire unit.
Whatever your plumbing needs are, it is always best to follow a few simple rules and do it right the first time. Plumbing can be frustrating, especially when working in tight places. •Always use safety precautions with the propane torch and solder.
•Good safety glasses are a must.
•Wear protective clothing. Hot solder dropping on an arm or leg can cause severe burns.
Follow these simple suggestions and your plumbing tasks will be much more enjoyable and rewarding.
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