Spring Plumbing Tips
The installation of a plumbing system is extremely important because if it is poorly installed, it will always perform poorly. If it is well installed, many potential problems will be averted from the start. A well-installed plumbing system saves the householder money in terms of water use as well as plumbing bills and expenses for such disasters as broken pipes and water damage repair. It takes a certain skill set and a good plan to install a new plumbing system or improve an existing one. In this article, we will review the skills and the steps necessary to accomplish this task with ease.
The first thing you must know about repairing or improving an older plumbing system is that you should proceed with caution. Old pipes may break when you try to work with them. Of course, if they are that weak, they need to be replaced anyway, but you don’t want to have to throw your whole plan out the window because you have to rush around attempting to repair the damage you accidentally caused. It’s better to work carefully so you can keep your project under control.
One way to proceed with caution is to remember to use a pair of wrenches any time you are working with old pipe. Use one to hold the fitting and the other one to hold the pipe. This will prevent undue stress on the pipe. Turn your wrench holding the fitting slowly and carefully. If it seems like the pipe will break or fall apart, stop and think about an alternative.
Heating the pipe with a torch might help make it easier to work with it without breaking it. You have to be sure you have a safe setting so that you don’t accidentally burn the house down, though. Remember that you must have fire safety equipment in place if you are using a torch. You should have a smaller spray bottle filled with water close at hand and a standard fire extinguisher. Remember that the flame from a torch can set things on fire beyond the visible flame, so keep your eyes peeled and make sure surrounding insulation doesn’t begin to smolder. This could cause a fire hours after you finish working.
Remember to follow local codes and ordinances when you are creating or improving a plumbing system. These will tell you what type of system is allowed and even give you some idea of the correct order of work. This is important in terms of rules for installing vents and choices such as the size of pipe to use in various applications. You can also turn to the Uniform Plumbing Code for general guidelines.
Installing new plumbing and working on old plumbing are both challenging jobs. When you take the time to know what is allowed in your area and then proceed with care, you will be able to make good choices and prevent disastrous emergency situations. Follow the tips presented here to successfully install or improve your plumbing system.
