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Plumbing Tips And Updates

Plumbing Tips

Plumbing can be one of the most important aspects of a home. It brings in fresh water, heats it up for washing and distributes it throughout the house.

But it can also be a complicated system that many homeowners don’t understand. Thankfully, there are some easy plumbing tips and tricks that can help you avoid common problems.

Fix Leaking Faucets

The drip-drip-drip of a leaky faucet can be enough to drive you mad—not to mention the constant water waste and subsequent cha-ching on your utility bill. Fortunately, fixing the problem is fairly straightforward as long as you know what you’re doing.

Start by shutting off the water supply valves under the sink (both the hot and cold ones). Once the water is completely off, remove the handle to expose the screw that holds it in place. Use a screwdriver to remove this screw and pull the handle off. This should reveal a hex-head screw underneath that needs to be loosen. If the screw is stuck or rusted, try using penetrating oil to break it free.

Next, you’ll need to replace the O-ring and washer (the most common culprits of leaky faucets). These are easy to find at any hardware store, and can typically be replaced without removing the entire faucet. Make sure that the new O-ring and washer are an exact match to prevent future leaks. It’s also a good idea to coat the O-ring with plumber’s grease before installing it to help prevent leaking in the future.

Once the O-ring and washer are replaced, you’ll need to reassemble the faucet. If the screw holding the handle in place is still leaking, you can try tightening it with a wrench to stop the drips. Once the handle is back in place, you can turn on the water to test your work.

If the leaking continues, it may be time to call a professional plumber. There are many other potential reasons for the drips, and it could be that one or more of the components have been damaged or corroded beyond repair. In that case, a skilled plumber will be able to fix the problem more easily and efficiently than an at-home homeowner.

Install a Water Heater

If your water heater is corroded or leaking, it’s time to replace it. While this is a relatively simple task, it’s one that should be left to a professional to avoid serious damage to your home and possible injuries from gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning.

To install a new water heater, shut off the gas and water supplies to the old tank. You’ll also need a pipe wrench, screwdriver, tubing cutter, a soldering iron, and copper tubing and fittings that are rated for hot water use. You should also pull any required state or city permits if necessary.

The first step is to remove the old water heater and drain the sediment from the bottom of the tank. Once the new tank is installed, you can establish your hot and cold water connections. You may need to install a pressure reducing valve upstream of the new water heater, especially if your home has high water pressure. Be sure to purge air from the lines by opening several faucets before connecting them, and then test each connection for leaks with soapy water.

Hire a Professional

The plumbing system is an integral part of the house that brings in fresh water, heats it up for washing and distributes it throughout the home. It is often taken for granted until something goes wrong. Luckily, there are many things that you can do to maintain your plumbing and prevent problems from occurring.

One of the most important things that you can do is hire a professional plumber to perform any work or updates on your plumbing. This will ensure that the job is done correctly and avoid any mistakes or issues in the future. You will also be able to ask the plumber any questions that you have and get a full understanding of how your plumbing works.

There are some jobs that are best left to professionals, such as installing a new toilet or fixing a clogged drain. Attempting to do these tasks yourself can lead to expensive repairs and even dangerous situations. Professionals have the experience, credentials and tools to do the job correctly the first time around.

Another reason why it is a good idea to hire a professional is that they will be able to identify any problems that you may not have noticed and address them right away. DIY videos and online articles often do not show the whole picture or provide a temporary solution that will not fix the problem. This can end up costing you more in the long run because you will have to keep addressing the same issue over and over again.

A professional plumber will be able to complete all of these budget bathroom plumbing tips in one session, saving you the time and money of trying to do it yourself. So, if you are having any issues with your plumbing, call Salmon Plumbing now and we can arrange a call out to help!

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