Transcript
Page 1: A homeowner's guide to plumbing

A Homeowner’s Guide to Plumbing

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Tips, Tricks, and Guidance for the Basics of Home Plumbing.

In many ways, plumbing is the lifeblood of your home. Just think of all the things you’re able to do by having plumbing—you can shower, use the washroom, brush your teeth, get a cold glass of water, get water for cooking, make ice cubes…the list goes on and on. Simply put, without a properly maintained plumbing system, living in your home would be a nightmare.A lot goes into maintaining your home’s plumbing, however problems can arise that may require fixes. Some of these fixes you may be able to do on your own; others will require hiring an experienced plumber to take on the job. Depending on the scope of the project, you may need to acquire permits from the city before beginning work.What follows is a basic homeowner’s guide to plumbing. You’ll learn a little bit about some of the plumbing problems homeowners commonly face, tips for DIY plumbing, and a guide to hiring the right plumber.

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5 Common Home Plumbing Problems

Plumbing problems are an inevitable part of being a homeowner. Plumbing issues occur in nearly every household, and as a homeowner, it’s important that you have at least a basic understanding of these issues so you can address them properly and prevent them from worsening.

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5 of the most common home plumbing problems include:

Leaky pipes—All pipe leaks are serious and need to be addressed immediately. Whether a pipe is barely dripping beads of water or is gushing gallons, you have to fix the leak fast to minimize damage and prevent the leak from getting worse. The first step is to cut off the water flow, so that the leaking pipe doesn’t get supplied with more water. You may be able to temporarily patch the leak until it can be repaired or replaced by a professional plumber.Vibrating pipes—Noisy, vibrating pipes typically occur when there are air bubbles in the water line, due to air being pulled into the line from a small leak. If you’re unable to locate the leak on your own, you should call a plumber to repair it.Clogged drains—Sinks often get clogged with debris, causing water to back up and preventing proper drainage. There are many different DIY plumbing methods you can try to clear a clogged drain. Using a plumber’s snake is a good first step for trying to loosen and eliminate the clog on your own. You could also try using a plunger to clear the drain. That’s right—plungers aren’t just for toilets, however, you should use a separate plunger for working on your sink. If the clog isn’t responsive to either of these methods, it may be time to call a plumber.

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Clogged toilets—. The first step to fixing a clogged toilet is to use a plunger to see if you can force the clog to move through the trap. This may take a little bit of “elbow grease” but most clogged toilets can be remedied this way. In those instances where you are unable to unclog the toilet on your own, call a professional to get it repaired immediately as this could be a very serious plumbing issue.Gurgling drains and toilet—Have you noticed air bubbles flowing back up into your toilet? Are the drains in your sinks or tub gurgling up water? This is typically a sign that the main sewer line is plugged or at least partially plugged. You’ll need to call a plumber to snake the main line to fix the issue.

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DIY Plumbing Dos and Don’ts

Homeowners never want to spend more on plumbing than is necessary. That’s why many of us try to fix common plumbing issues on our own.While DIY plumbing can save you some time and money, mistakes could actually exacerbate the issue and cost you even more money on repairs.

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Here are some simple DIY plumbing dos and don’ts you should always follow.

Do be prepared—Being prepared is essential to minimizing the damage caused by any plumbing issue that may arise. It’s a good idea to keep some basic plumbing tools in your home tool kit to handle any minor issues that may pop up. Some good tools to own include a pipe wrench, adjustable wrench, plunger, a commercial drain cleaner, and an auger.Don’t work beyond your comfort level—While you may be able to handle some basic tasks on your own, like fixing a clogged toilet or patching a leak, you don’t need to try to tackle a project that’s beyond your scope of knowledge and ability. Working beyond your comfort level could cause more damage, and in some cases, it may even lead to injury. Do protect yourself—Make sure you wear protective clothing when working on your home’s plumbing. Depending on the project, you may need to wear protective eye wear and rubber soled shoes.Don’t rush through the repair—We all want things to be fixed fast, but when you rush, you make mistakes. It’s always better to work slowly, so you can stay safe and avoid making any silly, costly mistakes. Also, you should always double check your work before finishing up. This will help prevent any simple oversights or costly mistakes. Do shut it off—Make sure you turn off the water before you begin work on your plumbing. If you are dealing with electrical, always turn off the power.Don’t let pride prevent you from calling a plumber—Sometimes, you just don’t have the skills or knowledge to repair a plumbing problem.. Don’t hesitate to call in a professional for tasks you simply can’t handle on your own.

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Tips for Hiring the Right Plumber

Not all plumbers are created equal. Finding the right plumber is essential to ensuring the job gets done right the first time.

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Here are some things you should look for when hiring a plumber.

Experience—Make sure you choose a reputable plumbing company that has been in business for an extended amount of time and that has a proven track record of offering reliable service. You should also inquire about the company’s hiring standards to verify that all of their plumbers have ample experience and proper training. References—Ask the plumbing company you’re considering hiring for references. If they don’t have references, search the web for consumer reviews. You can use websites like Google and Yelp to read real consumer reviews of plumbers in your area. This will give you better insight into the quality of service a company provides.Guaranteed work—The best plumbers will stand behind their work and guarantee it gets done right. Inquire about any warranties or guarantees provided on materials and workmanship. If the work can’t be guaranteed for an acceptable period (usually about one year), you should consider hiring someone else. Professionalism—Plumbers should respect your home, show up on time, and treat you with the courtesy you deserve.Affordable prices—Make sure you’re being charged a fair rate for the job.

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These are just a few helpful tips for getting you started in dealing with your home’s plumbing. We hope you’ve found this guide informative, and we encourage you to share it with others who could benefit from this information.

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For an experienced plumber, to help you with all your plumbing needs, call the experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing 470 King Street West #255, Oshawa, ON L1J 2K9 (905) 725-2292.


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