Posts Tagged ‘Home plumbing system’

Know More About Septic Tanks

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Combination of drain field and a septic tank forms a small scale sewage treatment system. Septic tank is rectangular in shape and is buried under the ground to collect the waste from a home or group of homes. This tank is generally divided into three chambers. First chamber is biggest of all and most of the organic solid called as sludge is present in this chamber only. The water is then again purified in the second chamber.

Waste from toilets, showers and sinks generally move to a septic tank. There in the tank the solid waste easily settles in the bottom most chamber and treated water move to the middle chamber after being treated from the bacteria.

The construction of a septic tank should be in a way that the microorganism could easily break and digest the sludge. For this, the septic tank should be constructed to have inlet, overflow and outlet valves diagonal to each other so that the flow of stream is in vertical pipes.

The treated water then moves to the upper chamber through overflows which prevent large sized particles to move upwards. As a result, comparatively clean water moves to the second chamber and solid waste remains inside the bottom chamber.

The feeding, digestion and settlement of organic matter continues in the second chamber. The retention time in the second chamber is half that of the first chamber because of its size and the fact that the amount of organic matter to treat is less. The outlet is constructed in the diagonal corner to the overflow.

The treated waste water is directed to a drain field where any impurities that still exist get decomposed naturally. The water is taken up by the plant root system or it may even become a part of the groundwater. The large sized drainage field is required if the soil is not very porous.

The working of a septic tank is based on gravitational force. At places having topographical problems, a pump is used. The frequency of sludge formation in a tank is 0.05 cubic yards for a single person per year. The pumping of septic tank should be scheduled at regular interval of time to avoid problems due to overfilled sludge.

The septic tank may be emptied every 5-7 years depending upon the amount of waste water it processes. The tank is emptied using an exhauster truck. The sludge that is sucked into the exhauster truck is released into public waste water treatment plants, sanitary landfills or sludge drying beds.

Scott Rodgers is a noted author who has been providing great guidance on plumbing works all over the country. His expensive knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the nation, from Stanton Plumbers to Temple City Plumbers .

Guide To Unclog A Blocked Drain

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

Blocking of drains is quite common in day to day life but is very frustrating problem that makes your work inconvenient. To solve this problem, you may hire a professional but before hiring him, try the below mentioned alternatives yourself. If the problem will get solved, water will start running freely through the pipes.

For repairing a blocked drain, you need to clear the drain. Blocking in bathroom drains is usually caused because of hair trapping or soap scum building near the drain. To remove this, you can use a wire, a screwdriver or any other long and thin tool. Try to clear the blocked drain by pulling the mass out, bit by bit.

Plunger is also considered very efficient in curing blocked drains. For using a plunger, put it over the blocked drain of sink or bathtub. The sink or bathtub should have sufficient water to cover the plunger cup.

Coating the rim of the plunger cup with petroleum jelly can help create a tighter seal for more suction. Press the plunger cup over the drain and pump the plunger 15 to 20 strokes. In many cases this will clear parts of the blockage and water may begin to flow.

You can also use a drain auger for clearing the drains. It is sold at most hardware and home supply stores. Remove filters or stops on the sink or tub and guide a drain auger down into the pipes, working the auger carefully in the bends of the pipe. The auger should eventually catch on the blockage and gentle pulling may loosen and clear the blocked drain.

In case the blockage is too deep where auger could not reach then remove the sink trap and collect the draining water inside a bucket. Now you can use auger through the opening of the sink trap. Like this auger could reach further.

If the blockage of drain is cleared then you need to do one more thing. Put hot scalding water through the drain for about 10-15 minutes so that the drain could be cleared off properly. This will also prevent blockage in future.

Unblocking a blocked drain requires some determination and patience. If a homeowner solves this problem at home without calling a plumber then he can save a good amount of money.

Scott Rodgers is a noted author who has been providing ample guidance on plumbing works all across the nation. His expensive knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the nation, from Clifton Heights Plumbers (Need one?click here!) to Devon Plumbers (Need one?click here!).

How To Change A Shower Head ?

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

If the old shower head in your bathroom is not working properly or you are interested in having a new and modern day shower head then you can change out your own shower head in just 30 minutes of effort. For this, you don’t even require a plumber.

Changing a shower head is a very straight forward project that most homeowners can tackle themselves. For changing the shower head you need to have certain tools like adjustable pliers, masking tape, plumbers tape, rag, new shower head, large towel or piece of cardboard.

For starting the installation, first of all, put a large towel or piece of cardboard at the bottom of the shower area to prevent the shower pan from getting damaged due to dropped pliers or shower head. Second, if you want to save the older shower head, wrap some masking tape around the jaws of the adjustable pliers.

Now with the help of adjustable pliers, you can remove or loosen the old shower head from the shower stem. Now, clean all the threads of the shower stem. Ensure that no Teflon tape pieces are left on the shower stem. This is essential to have a tight seal of the new shower head and prevent leakage.

Now use Teflon tape on the threads of the shower stem. You need to use three to four layers of Teflon tape in order to make certain a tight fitting of the new shower head on the shower stem.

Keep in mind that you are wrapping the Teflon tape in same direction in which you need to screw up the shower head. In case, you would wrap it in different direction then the tape would bunch up or would tear up while screwing the new shower head. It could also cause leaks in the shower head.

After taping of shower stem, you can start the fixing of the new shower head. Close the nuts of the new shower head in the direction of the tape. Firstly, you can use your hands to tight the screws and then use adjustable pliers to tight them properly. Be careful while tightening the screws and avoid over tightening.

Remove the towel or cardboard from the bottom and your installation is complete. Turn on the water supply and check your new shower against leaks. If everything works fine then you are ready for a shower.

Scott Rodgers is a noted author who has been providing great guidance on plumbing works all across the nation. His expensive knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the nation, from Solana Beach Plumbers to Warner Springs Plumbers .

Easy Ways To Maintain Drains And Pipes

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Most of the homeowners don’t think about the drains until something goes wrong with them. In case some problems come then there are good, honest plumbing companies that do quality work at a fair price and you can call them up. However before you call for help, there are simple things you can do yourself that might rectify the problem. Similarly there are also maintenance tips that you can follow to keep your plumbing smooth.

Both newly constructed and old house pipes need regular maintenance and care. Check all the pipes in your house two times in a week for any leak or broken connection. It is always better to notice a leak before it becomes serious. This way you can prevent a big damage or an urgent call.

To avoid any drain or pipe clogging, you should do some cleaning on alternate weeks. In case you will not clean your kitchen sink then grease and food will keep on building a layer in the drain and will ultimately cause a blockage.

For cleaning your drains, you just require some normal dish wash detergent and boiling water. First of all, pour two spoons of detergent in the drain to be cleaned and then after 10-15 minutes, pass boiling water through the drain. This is a simple process of doing the cleaning that can easily keep your drain smooth.

An old plumbing is more susceptible to any kind of leakage. Therefore, if you have old plumbing then don’t forget to put a bucket or tub under the kitchen sink pipe that will prevent spilling of dirty water on the floor and hence prevents the floor damage.

In case any of your drain or pipe has clogged then before calling a plumber first try an alternative yourself. Pour a cup of baking soda and after that pour a cup of vinegar through your drain. Leave it for few minutes and after that put hot and boiling water through the drain. This is an effective way of clearing a blockage.

However, if the problem is still not solved then the only option left with you is to call a plumber. For such situations, it is always recommended to know few plumbers who are good at their work rather then calling any plumber at random.

Ask them for their contact numbers and keep these numbers at a place where you can easily reach such as on your refrigerator. This will help you in calling the right person in any urgent situation.

Scott Rodgers is a noted author who has been providing ample guidance on plumbing works all across the nation. His expensive knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the nation, from Severna Park Plumbers (Need one?click here!) to Shady Side Plumbers (Need one?click here!).

Introduction To Kitchen Basket Strainer And Its Replacement Techniques

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Basket strainer is a wonderful kitchen sink accessory. It works to filter debris in your sink and keep it from traveling farther down your pipes. The strainer holds water in the bowl and prevents food from flushing down the drain. A variety of finishes such as plastic, chrome or brass is available. The accessory resides between the hole of the sink and its drain pipe.

Sometimes, because of normal wear and tear, the seal between the drainpipe and the basket strainer is broken thereby water leaks all over the floor. Replacing this seal is a very easy process and is also quite economical.

It neither needs a plumber nor requires too many tools. It can easily be replaced with the help of tools that are generally available in any household.

First step is to loosen the slip nut using a spud wrench. Basically, a slip nut is a connecting piece made up of bronze that connects the strainer with the drainpipe.

Look at the strainer from underneath the sink. You will notice threads and a collar ring, known as the locknut. Remove the lock nut above the strainer using 16-inch slip-joint pliers or a plumber’s wrench. For a rusted lock nut, try opening it with screwdriver and hammering.

Bring out the deteriorated basket strainer and reinstate the new one. Beforehand, apply plumber’s putty all around the edges of the new strainer. Now, gently put back the strainer into the sink hole where the previous one was located.

Put the lock nut back on, tightening it until it touches the rubber washer. Let the washer settle down into place then tighten it completely. Don’t make it so tight that the washer protrudes out the sides. This one may require a helper in case the basket strainer–both old and new–is spinning while you’re loosening or tightening. Have him hold the basket in place.

Drain pipe may now be connected back to the basket strainer by fastening the slip nut connector. This is done with the spud wrench. To check whether the seal is water tight, fill the sink with water and run a piece of toilet paper around slip nut and lock nut. If the toilet paper is found is dry the seal is water tight.

Scott Rodgers is a fine author who has been providing great guidance on plumbing works all over USA. His splendid knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for skilled plumbers across the nation, from Pacifica Plumbers (Need one?click here!) and San Bruno Plumbers (Need one?click here!).

Selecting The Right Countertop Material For Your Bathroom

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

If you need to choose a kitchen counter top then functionality is a big factor to consider but when you need to choose bathroom counter top functionality is not an important factor to consider. For a bathroom counter top the look and appearance of a counter top is more important to consider.

Along with appearance, price, maintenance and compatibility are also important factors to consider while choosing a bathroom counter top. Here we will discuss various materials available in market for making the bathroom counter top.

Choosing a good material for your bathroom counter top can set the tone of the room. Stainless-steel counter tops needs low maintenance and look fabulous in a modern bathroom. Glass can also be striking and modern choice but it is quite challenging to keep it free of fingerprints. One other good alternative is to use glass tiles.

Granite, quartz, tiles and solid surface are also used to make bathroom counter tops. Now we will discuss their features and method of maintaining them.

Granite is durable, resists stains and a good choice for counter tops. Day by day people are looking forward to use granite counter tops. Its maintenance is also not so difficult as compared to other natural stone materials. These counter tops are little expensive to purchase and provides an attractive look to your bathroom. These counter tops can be cleaned with liquid detergent and warm water. Never use abrasive cleaners for cleaning these counter tops.

Manufactured quartz looks little bit like limestone, granite or marble but it is more resistant to scratches and stains. It is made up of 90% quartz particles. Quartz is the best material to use if you are considering a counter top with a specialized edging. Counter tops made of it are durable, easy to clean and doesn’t require sealing.

You can also use tiles for making bathroom counter tops. One drawback of using tile counter top is that grout in them requires more cleaning. Tiles are available in different sizes and big tiles come with less grout lines. Therefore, less cleaning will be required. Always go for colored grouts as less cleaning will be required in them. For cleaning of these tiles, any detergent can be used.

Solid surface is also a good option to be used as bathroom counter tops. They mainly look like natural stone. These counter tops are good in resisting mold or mildew. The surface in these counter tops is nonporous that can be easily cleaned.

Scott Rodgers is a noted author who has been providing great guidance on plumbing works all over the country. His expensive knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the nation, from Reading Plumbers to Weston Plumbers .

Things To Look In A Good Plumber

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Plumbing problems are common in every house. However, the problem could be very big like repairing or very small like maintenance. In case, you need to hire a plumber for solving your problem then always look for good and qualified plumber. He should have ability to solve all your problems efficiently. A plumber can also provide you some tips to maintain your plumbing devices for long time.

In case of an urgent plumbing problem, you just pick the phone book and choose a number at random and call him for solving your problem. You hardly care about his working experience. However, some people think about it but most of them are unable to choose a good plumber as they don’t have much knowledge for selecting a good plumber.

Both good and bad plumbers are present in market. If you don’t choose a plumber carefully, you will loose a lot of money in paying the plumber and in repairing of problem. But by the selection of an efficient plumber, you can save lot of money.

If you will hire an inexperienced plumber then he might make the problem worse than earlier because he doesn’t have sufficient knowledge to find out the root cause of the problem and he just fix the problem temporarily. As a result the problem will occur time and again.

One of the best ways to know about the working background of the plumber is to ask your friends, neighbors or relative who might have hired him in past. Always try to hire a plumber who guarantees his work.

Keep in mind that you can get fast, affordable and quality service from a plumber. It’s just a little harder to find such plumber. There are plumbers who live up to that standard and offer 100 percent customer satisfaction.

In today’s technical era, many plumbers give their advertisements online. If you want to collect details about any plumber then you can search his profile on net because there you can get both good and bad reviews about the plumber. Based on those reviews, you can choose your plumber.

Don’t be afraid to call a plumber and ask questions. Make sure the company is licensed and their plumbers are up to date in their training. Also ask about the pricing beforehand. Prefer to have a written estimate before a plumber start his work and make sure there is no hidden agenda.

Scott Rodgers is a noted author who has been providing ample guidance on plumbing works all over the country. His expensive knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the nation, from Glen Oaks Plumbers to Jericho Plumbers .

Caring For Your Plumbing Fixtures

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

No part of the house is more important than plumbing. Nothing in the house is used more often. A smoothly functioning plumbing system is a pin to health and adds to the convenience of modern living. However most of the homeowners neglect maintaining this very need of the house. Long avoiding the fault may hurt the integrity of your plumbing setup to a large extent.

People are overloaded with the misconception that if their fixtures and pipes are leaky, not much damage is posed to the accessory. But the fact is, even the minor leaks can take a good toll on the functional integrity of your plumbing setup. The cracks or the broken spots that lead to such leaks may go broader with time. Consequently, more water enters into the internal walls and ceilings.

Repair any dripping faucets inside and/or outside your home at the first sign of a leak. Letting them leak and waiting to make repairs only makes them harder to fix, and may ruin them all together. To maintain energy efficient plumbing you need to take charge and act now. Examine them meticulously.

To be wise enough browse the fixtures and compare prices. Buy the one having highest quality. Shopping for your own plumbing fixture rather than getting them through your plumber allows you choose from a wider selection – and save money. Never compromise on the quality front while purchasing the supplies for their plumbing setup.

While indulging into any of the plumbing task make sure, you are well apprehended with all the items required. A hand-held hammer, pipe wrenches, pipe cutters etc. are some of the essential tools. Make sure that all the tools in your plumbing tool kit are sound and healthy.

Besides the basic tools, the plumbing supplies such as Teflon tape, thread compound, sealants etc. are too essential to find a place in the regular scheme of things.

Check the incoming water pressure. Use a pressure gauge on an outdoor spigot that’s attached to a house wall to make sure the pressure is 80 psi or less. If the pressure is more than 80 psi, excess strain is placed on the pipes, which can result in breaks.

Call an expert if you are unable to determine the cause of the faulty plumbing. There may be a more complicated problem with the plumbing in the home that requires the services of a certified plumber.

Scott Rodgers has been excelling with plumbing works for a long time now. His splendid guidance has created business for many Canoga Park Plumbers (Need one?click here!) and Reseda Plumbers (Need one?click here!).

Inspection Of Water Heaters Is Not So Difficult

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

There are basically two types of water heaters: gas and electric. You can determine the type by looking at the top and bottom of the unit. The gas unit will have a gas line whereas an electric unit will not have an electric wire that must be connected to an outlet.

While inspecting an electric water heater, one of the most important things that you need to check is the water temperature. Most manufacturers preset the temperature to 100-150 degrees F. Always keep in mind that if water temperature reaches beyond 120 degrees F, it can be dangerous. You can check the temperature of the water by using a digital thermometer in the hot water that came out of the hot water faucet.

You also need to check the water-line installation is reversed or not. For checking it, touch the pipe and see if the cold water is present at the location that is marked hot and hot water is present at the location that is marked cold. If it is like that then the water-line installation is reversed. A reverse connection causes the water temperature to go down than before for same thermostat setting.

You also need to check the element and the thermostat but before this, turn off the electricity. Never turn on a water heater with no water in it as it could burn out the element.

An internal part of the water heater that you can not see is the anode rod. It is usually made up of magnesium and attracts corrosive or oxidizing material present inside the water. This saves the tank from oxidation. It is hard to see or inspect this rod without taking the water heater apart to do so. The way you test for this is to run the hot water and smell it for a sulfur smell.

Check out the leaks and joints of pipes. If somewhere in the connections, you find two same metals touching each other then it may cause electrolysis and corrosion.

Inspection of gas water heater is somewhat similar to electric water heater. But the burner of gas water heater is highly susceptible to corrosion and rust flaking. Therefore, check out this burner carefully.

Also check the gas lines for leaks. For this, you can use a gas leak detector or bubbly water. The flue in gas water heater should never come in direct contact with any flammable material like wood or drywall.

Scott Rodgers is a noted writer who has been providing ample guidance on plumbing works all across the nation. His expensive knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the nation, from East Rockaway Plumbers to Glen Cove Plumbers .

Pedestal Sink- Great Bathroom Accessory

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Our houses sublet very little place to the bathroom but these has their own importance. The plumbing in the bathrooms include the draining system and the Bathroom plumbing of course signifies fixtures and drainage systems but, it also includes accessories that provide you comfort and style. You have a large number of varieties to choose from, for making your bathroom beautiful and unique.

A pedestal sink commonly known as lavatory pedestal can surely enhance the look of your bathroom. Market has come out with a huge range of colors, size and models to choose from. Places where space is a major consideration, pedestal sinks are generally installed.

Let us now have a look on numerous benefits generally offered to the consumer from this accessory. Homeowners generally drop the idea of having installed most of the things in the homes when they think of their prices. However, affordable prices of pedestal sinks attract the homeowners. These are a perfect combination of both durability and strength as these are made up of transparent china material.

These sinks have two parts, one which is called pedestal is a stand and the other is a sink. The stand is fitted inside the floor whereas the sink is mounted on the wall. Also, the sink rests on the stand. The sink is designed in such a way that the drain and water supply pipes can not be seen at all.

Well, you can also call it as lavatory. Homeowners need to pay some special attention while updating the sink. Make sure, you have a helper along with you while indulging in the installation of the lavatory. As the system is quite heavy and a single person can not handle it alone.

One should install the sink very cautiously as any leak or spacing between the sink and the pedestal would lead to a lot of disturbance and inconvenience. Always buy faucets while upgrading the sink as these are not provided by the manufacturers.

Well prepared to replace the traditional, old fashion sink with the pedestal sink, affirm you have shut down the water supply. Also, changing the sink would also require remodeling your walls and floors as well.

Although, pedestal sink installation is not a complicated task. However, in case of any confusion better call in a plumber as they can do the best job for you as they are well adapted to plumbing complications.

Author Art Lambert, has been writing for years about plumbing. His goal is to help others in the field become more knowledgeable in all aspects of plumbing. To gain additional knowledge of replacing pressure release valve (click here) and furnace motor blower noise (click here), visit eLocalPlumbers.com.