License #12173
Whether you're a first-time homeowner or you've been living in your home for years, it's important that you know the basics of plumbing.
Plumbing maintenance can help keep your home running smoothly and prevent costly repairs down the road.
A professional plumber is often required to solve major plumbing issues in your home. Still, if you have a basic understanding of your plumbing system, that job becomes much more manageable.
When you have an idea of what to know about plumbing, you will learn how to solve minor issues and when to call in a professional.
This article will discuss the most critical plumbing basics that every homeowner should know. We'll cover everything from how to unclog a drain to what to do when your pipes freeze!
Every house needs two plumbing systems: one to bring fresh water inside and another to remove wastewater.
The water supply is the water that enters your property, which is referred to as potable (or drinkable).
This water comes from a private well or via a public utility company.
Shutting off the water supply is an important task that every homeowner should know. There are two ways to turn off the water: at the meter or in your home.
To shut off the water at the meter, locate the shut-off valve on the exterior of your home. This is a valve that the water company uses to turn off the water when they're doing maintenance or repairs.
It's usually located near the meter, and there aren't too many reasons you will need to shut off at the exterior, but it is good to know where it is.
To shut off the water in your home, find the main shut-off valve. This is a valve located near where your water comes into the house, and it's used to control the water supply to your entire home.
If there's a plumbing emergency, this is the valve you'll need to turn off.
Being aware of how to shut off the main water supply is one of the most important things to be mindful of as a homeowner. This can help prevent extensive damage to your home in the event of a water-related emergency, such as a burst pipe or a flood.
One of the most common plumbing issues that homeowners face is clogged drains. A clogged drain can be caused by anything from hair and soap scum to food particles and grease.
There are a few ways to unclog a drain, but a plunger is the most common method.
To use a plunger, put the plunger over the drain and push and pull it up and down. You may have to do this for a few minutes before the clog is dislodged.
If plunging doesn't work, you can try using a plumbing snake. A plumbing snake is a long, coiled wire inserted into the drain to break up the clog.
If neither of these methods works, you should call a professional plumber.
A leaky faucet can be both annoying and costly. A single faucet drip can waste up to 100 gallons of water per day!
There are a few ways to fix a leaky faucet, but replacing the washer is the most common. To do this, turn off the water supply to the tap and remove the handle.
The washer is located under the handle, and you can usually replace it without removing the entire faucet.
If the washer doesn't fix the leak, it may be time to call a plumber to replace the entire faucet.
A clogged toilet is an inconvenience that no one wants to deal with. Thankfully, it's a pretty easy problem to fix.
The most common way to unclog a toilet is by using a plunger. Put the plunger over the drain and push and pull it up and down. You may have to do this for a few minutes before the clog is dislodged.
If plunging doesn't work, like unclogging a shower or sink drain, you can try using a plumbing snake. The long, coiled wire inserted into the drain is intended to break up the clog.
If neither of these methods works or your toilet is constantly becoming clogged, a professional plumber can help get to the root of the issue.
A running toilet is another plumbing problem that you can easily fix. The most common reason for a running toilet is an issue with the toilet lift chain or arm or leaky flapper valve.
To fix this, turn off the water supply to the toilet, remove the lid, and locate the flapper valve. The flapper valve is usually located at the bottom of the tank. If the flapper valve is leaking, it can cause the toilet to run.
Sometimes, a flush may have caused the flapper valve to misfire. However, you may need to replace the flapper valve if the problem persists. You can usually find a replacement at your local hardware store.
In some circumstances, you may require a plumber where the issue is not solved with a flapper valve replacement or other minor tweaks.
One of the worst plumbing nightmares is having your pipes freeze and burst. Turn off the water supply immediately and call a plumber if this happens.
You can do a few things to prevent your pipes from freezing during the winter months. One is to keep your home warm and well-insulated. Another is to insulate pipes on exterior walls, open cabinet doors under sinks, and leave faucets dripping overnight when temperatures are below freezing.
If you notice that one of your pipes has frozen, you can try to use a hairdryer to thaw it out. It is essential never to use a blowtorch or open a flame to thaw a pipe - this could cause a fire!
These are just a few plumbing basics that every homeowner should know regarding plumbing.
For more information or help with any plumbing repairs or installations, don't hesitate to get in touch with Cape May's Majewski Plumbing.
Plumbing maintenance can help keep your home running smoothly and prevent costly repairs down the road. There are a few things that every homeowner should know, including:
It’s also important to know how to unclog a drain and fix a leaky pipe.
For more information or help with any plumbing repairs or installations, don't hesitate to get in touch with Cape May's Majewski Plumbing.
1275 Bayshore Rd
Villas, NJ
08251
(609) 374-6001
