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FAQs About Residential Plumbing

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FAQs About Residential Plumbing

When there is problem with your plumbing, you might want to try and fix it yourself before you opt for calling in the expert who might charge you hundreds of dollars. If you are a novice, here are some tips about do-it-yourself residential plumbing.

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How to identify the right pipes?

If you are attempting a do-it-yourself plumbing project, you have to know the kind of pipes you are dealing with, the joints, the coupling, etc. Your pipes might be plastic or cast iron if it’s an older home and copper or PVC if the house was built recently. The cast iron and plastic pipes are used for drains, wastage and vents, collectively called DWV, the former in older homes and the latter in more modern homes. Drains are usually fitted with PVC or PEX pipes.

How to prevent pipes from bursting in winter?

You have to winterize your pipes during peak winters, and once the thaw sets in, de-winterize them, during the cold and the warm seasons, respectively. Water pipe insulation is one of the best ways to winterize your pipes. Heat tapes are another option. For outside faucets, you can use a hose bib cover. Or you can call a professional plumber to come for both winterizing and de-winterizing.

How to test water pressure and fix a booster pump?

If your water pressure is low, you can check it with an inexpensive pressure gauge, and add a pump to boost it. It is better to add an all-in-one pump, at the main water inlet, near the water meter. This will ensure uniform pressure throughout your home. If you are not sure, call in the professionals, because the main water connection from the street has to be removed and routed through the pressure regulator. If you have a pressure pump installed, and if there is water-hammering, then there is a likely chance that your pump needs replacing.

How to fix a copper pipe?

With a little bit of know-how and the right tools, it can be easy enough to fix or solder a copper pipe. If you are not used to being a handyman, better call in the professionals right away; or you can give it a go with a pipe wrench, a propane or MAPP gas filled torch, plumbing solder, flux, a striker to light the torch, copper pipe cutters, sand cloth, fitting brush and emergency supplies like fire cloth, water bottle and a fire extinguisher, just in case. If in doubt, call a plumber.

How to use a push fit fitting?

The very name says it; you just push the push fit fitting in where needed and voila, your pipes are fixed. They are available readymade in different materials and sizes to fit whatever your requirements. You can fix leaks, place joints or connectors without the usage of any clamps or glue. They can be used as a temporary fix before you call in the professionals, or you can make them a permanent fixture. They work fine, and can be re-used or re-positioned. One thing to note is to make sure there are no burrs on the pipes, because they will cause damage to the O-ring, and your push fit fitting will not be watertight.

These are some simple plumbing repairs you can carry out around your home, if you are handy with tools and have a bit of experience. However, if you are not confident, please call in a plumber.

Bill Fenwick Plumbing Company is aware of the need for quality plumbers, who dispense their services with ethics and fair business practices. Bill Fenwick founded his company on the very basis of providing plumbing services with ethics and better customer relations, in 1969. He changed the plumbing industry in Northeast Florida and forty years later, under the stewardship of Bill Jr., we still adhere to those principles. We perform all kinds of emergency plumbing repairs, replacements and installations. Call us today for your plumbing problems.

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