Timber & Textiles » Repair

What Are The Top 5 Plumbing Tools?

Phil Riklis — Sat, 28 May 2011 17:32:07 +0000

In this article we set out the top 5 plumbing tools that no self-respecting plumber will be without. The good news is that although they are specialized tools, they can easily be purchased online or in any decent sized home products store. So lets get started on that list.

1) Teflon tape

This tape is used to wrap around pipe threads that are being joined together to prevent any leakage. The tape is inexpensive, silky to the touch, but strong. While it is mostly used to prevent water leakage, it is also useful for stopping air and gas seepage.

2) A sink plunger (cup plunger)

This is just a rubber cup attached to a stick, but it’s exactly what a plumber needs when clearing clogs in sinks, bathtubs and showers. But when dealing with a toilet clog, most plumbers will use a specialized toilet plunger (see next item).

3) Toilet plunger (flange plunger)

Unlike a standard sink plunger (see previous item) a toilet plunger is specially designed to work on the curved surface of the toilet bowl without slipping. It is sometimes referred to as a flange plunger as there is an extra section of rubber – called a flange – that protrudes off the end of the rubber cup. This is placed inside the toilet trap-way entrance prior to plunging to help create a solid seal.

4) Toilet auger (closet auger, plumbers snake)

Although a toilet plunger is normally effective at getting rid of most toilet clogs, occasionally a plumber will come across a very stubborn “hard” clog that will not dislodge. For this, a toilet auger is needed. It’s basically a flexible cable with a coiled wire “bit” on the end that is extended and retracted by turning the handle on one end of the tool. Unlike a drain auger (see next item) it is specifically designed for use on toilets and shouldn’t damage the porcelain of the toilet bowl. The term “snaking a toilet” refers to the process of feeding an auger cable through the toilet pipes.

5) Drain auger (sink auger)

Designed for dislodging and clearing clogs in sinks and tubs the flexible cable that is used to penetrate the pipes is coiled within a dram canister and released when the drum is turned. The cable is much longer than that used in a toilet auger and the instrument does not have a protective rubber sleeve so can easily damage a toilet if used on one.

Do You Need To Repipe Your Home?

Ryan Hawkins — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 18:06:49 +0000

No matter how well constructed the plumbing system is in a home, it will inevitably suffer from damage caused by wear and tear. In time, the once reliable pipes and drainage system in your home will begin to show signs of age and require repiping but there’s a good chance you may not realize it until it’s too late. Here’s how to know if you need a repipe job in your home:

Leaky Pipes

True, not every leaky pipe in a house is a cue to call a repipe specialist, considering that it could be caused by a small, localized damage or loose threading in a specific area. However, if pipes leak frequently in different spots, it can be due to serious degeneration. Leaks can damage a home’s structure and can be costly if ignored. If the problem consists of frequent leaks, it’s time to have a home’s pipe system checked and if necessary, repiped.

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure at home that can not be attributed to faulty shut off valves can be a sign that it’s time to call the professionals. Problems with water flow and volume could be caused by blockage in the pipes due to scale and deposit buildup, a common problem with older cast iron or galvanized pipes.

Like a clogged artery, blocked pipes restrict the flow of water. Reduced water volume in the pipes make it impossible to use multiple faucets at one time, increasing inefficiency.

Inconsistent Water Temperatures

Another sign that you need a repipe job in your home is when there is frequent inconsistency in water temperature. Heavy deposits in piping don’t only affect water pressure, they also slow down water flow and result to unpredictable spikes in heat and cold, even if the thermostat is working properly.

Water Discoloration

This is an issue with older piping materials, which are susceptible to rusting and corrosion. As rusty interior material flakes off, they mix with the water and eventually flow out of the faucet. These materials change the color of the water and affect its quality, making it unsafe to drink. Repipe specialists can easily replace an old system with copper repiping, which is more resistant to corrosion.

Old Drainage System

An old house with a drainage system that was never replaced is a good candidate for repiping. Houses built in the 1980s or earlier obviously need a new system, particularly since it’s possible for piping materials to have degenerated over the years. It’s also possible that the pipes were probably made from materials that are not considered safe. With new pipes, a house will be safer and more functional, regardless of its age.

Repiping a house can mean major improvements, but at the same time, it can also rack up a huge bill. Before getting started, make sure to speak to several specialists about which options are best suited for your home. While doing a copper repipe job might be the first thing suggested, there may be alternate materials or methods that can work just as well or even better in your situation.

When Is Copper Repiping The Best Option

Ryan Hawkins — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 21:48:46 +0000

If the time has come to do a full blown re-pipe and replace all of the plumbing in your home, you certainly have some options. One of the most preferred materials for this kind of work is copper. But it’s rare that one option is always the best in all cases. Here’s how to figure out if copper repiping is the best option for your home.

First of all, the non-option would be what your home probably already has–galvanized (zinc-treated) iron pipes. Few to no plumbers use this material any more since it will surely develop scaly build up and rust. Iron pipes keep the copper repipe specialist in business, as the older system only lasts about 25 years.

Some plumbers offer the PEX option. PEX is a flexible plastic pipe system that installs quickly, often with copper fittings crimped on. Some applications use plastic elbows and fittings that snap on like a quick connect, but cost a lot. While this option may be just as good at moving water and possibly better for drinking water, the installation expense may be no different than copper repiping. Also, one must consider that PEX only guarantees its materials for 25 years.

Another modern option is the PVC/cPVC family of products. Rather than sweating pipes together as done with copper or crimping as with PEX, this polyvinyl chloride plumbing goes together with glue. Herein lies the frustration for the amateur–pipes popping off from using too little or to much glue. A home repipe specialist will charge about the same price for this product as for copper because much of the expense is in the labor for the project, not the materials. Some of these polymer pipes only have a warranty of ten years.

The copper repipe cost stays competitive with all other types of plumbing products. The difference may be in longevity–some copper pipes have been known to last over a century depending on water conditions. Copper pipes seem to be the more classic method of plumbing a home. The copper repiping cost seems to win hands down when one considers that it comes with a 50 year warranty.

Find repipe specialists proven to get your project done in a prompt manner. Yet a no-leak job will be worth waiting for. Slovenly work will frustrate you and leave you in the same mess–or even worse, if the joints leak. Copper pipe replacement projects create quite a mess that you don’t want to have to clean up from the basement or crawlspace by yourself afterward. A quality, copper repipe specialist can transform antiquated, rusty pipes into a water system with lots of shower pressure and no gunky crud built up inside the pipes.

What’s Involved In A Copper Repipe Job

Ryan Hawkins — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:31:37 +0000

Most of the plumbing found in older houses is made of galvanized steel, although some past the century mark may even have iron or (non-galvanized) steel pipes coated with zinc. While these may be fine for use irrigating farmland or even as sewer pipes, they are susceptible to mineral deposit build-up and corrosion that can cause serious leaks in home plumbing. For this reason, many repipe specialists need to make homeowners fully aware of what’s involved in a copper repipe job before replacing everything in their homes.

The total copper repipe cost can be quite expensive. Yet many homeowners find it that their initial investment can end up paying for itself by increasing the efficiency in the way their major appliances, such as dishwashers and clothes washers operate, and getting rid of the toxins in their drinking water produced in older plumbing.

Copper repiping jobs require a lot more skill that just fitting two straight pieces of pipe together. It also entails knowing how to piece together various bends and elbow joints, as well as connecting tees for “branch” pipes and hooking the pipes up to water taps, etc.

There are basically two primary methods used to join copper pipe. A copper repipe specialist often accomplishes this by using compression fittings in which the ends of the pipe are shoved through a screwed body with a sealing ring (properly called an olive) and nut at both ends using spanners. Once in place, the nuts are then tightened to flatten the olives, forming water-tight seals. There are also different “push-fit” fitting used to connect the copper in either plastic or brass coupling. These have the edge of allowing the pipes to be rotated in the fitting after they’ve been made. The main problem with compression fittings is that they cannot be used if the space is too tight to use a spanner.

A second method is to solder a capillary joint on to the pipe in order to create a water-tight seal. The hot solder will actually seep into any small gaps between the fitting and the ends of the pipe inserted into it. This method is often employed by do-it-yourselfers using a “Yorkshire” solder ring that comes with its own (built-in) solder supply. Either way,the solder-rings are heated around the joints using either a blowtorch or “blow lamp”, though many people find it much easier to use electrically heated tongs to melt the wire so that it oozes into any gaps. The main problem with this method is that there is always a risk of starting a fire when using blowtorches.

When you meet with a repipe specialist, you’ll want to go over all of the details of how he plans to do the job. Having a good idea of what his intentions are as compared to that of another plumber will give you an idea both as to whether the copper repiping cost he is quoting is legitimate, and also if one of the two methods are sounder than the other.

Why Are Contracters Reluctant To Do Roof Repair Jobs?

Phil Riklis — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:26:59 +0000

If your roof has begun to leak and is more than fifteen years old, chances are it is time for a new roofing job. Roofs are one of the most important parts of a house as far as keeping the weather out; and one of the most expensive parts to replace. If your roof isn’t old enough for replacement and is leaking, it is often difficult to find a roofing contractor willing to do a simple roof repair. Of course, contractors make more money replacing a roof than repairing; however, understanding their reluctance to make repairs will put you in a better position to find a contractor to make the repairs you need.

Never pressure a contractor to make a quick diagnosis when it comes to repair work; roofing repair work is often a thankless job because diagnosing the problem can take a good amount of time and the homeowner doesn’t see progress, therefore they think the contractor is goofing off, wasting time and money. For the best results, give the contractor time to find out exactly what and where the problem is; the results you get will be much more satisfactory.

A second reason roofing contractors are cautious about making repairs is that when a roof fails in one way, it may fail soon in other ways. Therefore, if a homeowner sees an additional leak shortly after the repairs were made; he or she may feel the contractor should make additional repairs at no charge. This puts the roofing contractor in a bad position, risking upsetting the homeowner or doing the work for free. When talking to a roofer about repairing your roof make sure you let him or her know you will not hold them responsible for things beyond their control.

Another thing a homeowner must be aware of is the fact that problems resulting from an improperly installed roofing system may not be evident for years. It is important to keep accurate records of when your roof was installed and who the roofing contractor was that installed it. If you sell your house, pass this information along to the new homeowner, so he or she will be able to take advantage of any warranty offered.

If you take the time to talk to a contractor, you will be able to find one that will make the necessary repairs to your roof. However, keep in mind that these contractors are professionals and if you have researched his or her work, you should trust their judgment if they determine you do, indeed, need a new roof.

How To Find The Best Repipe Specialists In Your Area

Ryan Hawkins — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:46:53 +0000

Finding the best repipe specialists in your area is important if you’re considering such a major plumbing job. A quality repipe specialist will transform a house with antiquated, leaky pipes into a home water system offering plenty of pressure in the shower and no more gunky calcification building up within the pipes. Say goodbye to the long waits on the washing machine filling, filling, filling… and kiss that wimpy garden hose stream adios. Once you repipe your home, you’ll have enough pressure to water your neighbor’s lawn (at least until they get their pipes replaced).

A copper repipe specialist will completely replace iron pipes from the supply line to the commode. Lined with zinc (often called galvanized) iron pipes only last about twenty five years or so. You want to find repiping specialists who have done excellent work and left themselves a great reputation. First, you want to hire a team that has endorsement from the Better Business Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce. But you are best to check their references as well because not all repiping jobs are the same. Also, find an online repipe specialists review to see what people have to say and know how to find the best repipe specialists in your area. Anonymous comments may give more honest assessments than a select group of references that a contractor has placed on a call sheet or quoted on its website. And watch dribbling water become history.

You want repipe specialists who not only get to your project in a timely manner, but also do a leak-proof job. Hasty, sloppy work will leave you frustrated and back to the same problem you had before–perhaps worse if you sustain water damage. Copper repipe jobs can be very messy with flux, solder, metal filings, and a variety of other waste materials–you don’t want to find these all over your basement or in the crawlspace under your home.

One more thing to consider, and be educated on before the contractor asks is the question of where you want the repiping project to start. It will be cheaper to get the copper repiping to start at the water supply at the house. However, in some situations, you may want to repipe starting at the street meter if the supply pipe is corroded, caked with buildup, or old and leaky. Do your homework before you hire a repiper, then sit back with peace of mind.

How To Get The Best Price From A Repipe Specialist

Ryan Hawkins — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:44:54 +0000

If you are experienced annoying issues such as low water pressure, drastic temperature changes in the shower when water is used elsewhere, or discolored, foul-tasting water, you may have build-up and corrosion in the pipes that provide water to your home. A repipe specialist is trained to diagnose and repair plumbing line issues that could affect the value the house.

Repipe specialists focus on one aspect of the plumbing trade: removing and replacing old pipe with high quality pipe. This may be with copper pipes, the higher quality,more expensive, and longer lasting option, or it may be with a synthetic material, such as PEX. Water moves into and throughout your home in lines that are under pressure. If they are not replaced correctly, problems range from leaks to a flooded home. The expertise of a repiping specialist will assure that the job is completed in a timely and cost efficient manner.

How much will repiping cost? This will depend on the size of the job. A bathroom repiped while being remodeled will cost less than having an entire home done. Costs generally range from $2,000 for smaller jobs to $9,000 for larger single-family homes.

To narrow down a more specific cost, call several repiping specialists and ask for a free estimate. The most expensive portion of the estimate will be the cost of the labor. If you opt for a copper repiping, that will also be more expensive than if you go with PEX or another synthetic material. If you’re not sure if copper is right for you, then be wary when speaking to a copper repipe specialist. Since copper is his specialty, he will obviously recommend that, but you will likely get a more unbiased recommendation from a repiper who works with a wider variety of materials.

Significant differences in price can come into play if fixtures are or are not included. Have the repipe specialists review their estimates with you and ask what is and is not include in the price. A complete estimate should include valves for all sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers, dishwasher, icemaker lines and hose faucets outside, whether attached to the home or freestanding. If you have landscaping plumbing that you want included in the estimate, ask specifically that these be considered. Most companies repair walls so they are ready for repainting after the job and train their specialists to keep your home, particularly the floors, clean and protected.

A reputable service will not pressure you into signing a contract immediately. Gather several estimates and do not be shy about asking for referrals.

Is replacing the water lines worth the cost? Weigh the expense against the factors that could affect your home if plumbing issues are not addressed. Leaks from corroded pipes beneath a slab foundation can cause significant structural damage. If you hear water running when no faucets are on, or the water meter spins when no water is running, the problem could be a slab leak that needs to be addressed promptly.

Sometimes pinhole leaks will develop in corroded pipes inside a house. While these are tiny at first, the damp environment will encourage mold and mildew, which can be expensive to eliminate. Pinhole leaks grow, resulting in water damage inside walls that will require more costly repairs.

Upkeep of the plumbing system in your home is vital to the stability and the longevity of the house. If your house is over 40 years old, the water pipes are galvanized metal, and if the water in your area is hard, consider having the system examined. Utilizing the expertise of a repipe specialist could prove to be a wise investment.

What Causes Bellies in Sewer Lines

GuestPoster — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:12:07 +0000

One of the most frustrating yet common emergency plumbing situations that occur in a home is a main sewer line blockage. One of the reasons that it is so frustrating is that when your main backs up, you cannot use any drains in the house. Even washing your hands in the kitchen sink can cause a toilet to overflow all over your bathroom floor.

The other reason for the high frustration factor is that you call the plumber out and have him clear the line, often to have the same problem pop up in a year, or six months, or maybe even a month. The reason that this happens is because the most common cause of main sewer line back ups is tree roots.

Roots grow into the small gaps where the sections of pipes meet and get into the sewer line. There they find “nutrient rich” water that helps them to grow. As they grow, they open the gap to let more roots in, and in some cases even crush the pipe. The plumber comes along and cuts the roots, but, in essence all he is doing is pruning them. That means they only come back faster and stronger. By cutting out the roots, he is actually helping them to grow!

So what does this have to do with having a “belly” in your sewer line? A belly usually occurs when two pieces of pipe are separated enough by root intrusion that the back end of one of the pieces of pipe is allowed to sink. This is compounded by the fact that the ground around this separation is often saturated with sewer water. That section of pipe sinks enough that it is no longer flowing down hill. At that point, it is said to have reverse grade, or a belly.

This can be bad because bellies will accumulate debris and increase the chances of a backup. Bellies are also a problem because while there are methods to fix root intrusion such as pipe lining or small spot repairs, fixing a belly often involves the excavation of at least 10 feet or more of the pipe.

The best thing that you can do to avoid a belly, and the increased cost of fixing one, is to address sewer line backups more aggressively, earlier on. If your sewer line is clogged, find out why, and get it repaired right away. After all, this is your plumbing, and your house does not “work” without it!

Use A Waterbed Repair Kit To Patch A Leak

GuestPoster — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:31:01 +0000

Sometimes a waterbed can feel as if it is holding an entire ocean inside of it. Because of this, rips or holes are extremely nerve-wracking. No one wants that much water pouring throughout their bedroom uncontrollably! But contrary to popular belief, fixing a waterbed that has a leak is actually not very difficult. Generally there is no reason to replace the whole mattress or even to call in a professional. The easiest and quickest way to do it yourself is to invest in a waterbed repair kit.

To start, find out exactly where the leak is in the bed. The smaller the hole, the harder it will be to spot. Waterbeds typically break near the seams or on the sides, so keep that in mind. If you cannot find it simply by looking, take a dry paper towel and run it along the mattress until it gets wet. That should make the process easier. Try applying pressure on top of the mattress. This will force the water out if need be. However, do not use a waterbed pump or any other way to fully drain the water as it will only make the problem area worse.

Once you have located the puncture, use a Sharpie or another form of permanent marker to clearly mark the area in need of attention. Draw a circle, use an arrow, or even a tiny dot will draw your eye’s attention back to that spot. The waterbed patch kit you purchased will come with several options to go about patching your bed. Always read any warnings and instructions first, and be sure to opt for the best material in order to fix your leak.

Clean the region around the hole thoroughly so that the glue on the adhesive will stay stuck to the bed. The kit usually comes with rubbing alcohol or a cleaner of some sort. Make sure it air dries after cleaning but before you attempt the repair. If it happens that the leak is placed below the line of water, use a pillow or other cushion to elevate that part of the mattress.

Following the provided instructions, carefully crop a patch out of the materials from the kit. The recommendation is to make these patches four inches across. Apply it directly to the bed and press firmly but be careful not to put any pressure on the bed itself until the glue from the adhesive has had time to bond. This part can take a half an hour or an entire day, depending on the form of adhesive.

If you find yourself faced with a leaking waterbed crisis, follow a simple process to have it fixed in no time. Waterbeds are not known to leak often but a waterbed patch kit will always be available at a store near you.

The Most Appropriate Sliding Glass Door Handles To Buy

GuestPoster — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:58:03 +0000

A glass sliding door handle doesn’t have to be dull and utilitarian looking if you’re looking to replace a handle that is worn and fell of the glass sliding door that leads to your patio. True, glass sliding door handles endure more wear and tear than the door knobs on some of your other doors in your house. However, there are a wide variety of glass sliding door handles you can choose from today.

A good place to start looking for a good sliding door handle is All About Doors which offers a wide variety of products you can buy for your home that are pertinent to doors, locks, handles, weatherstripping, and knobs. If you specifically want to buy a sliding glass door handle, you can click on the topic on glass door handles from the home page. An interesting feature about this is that, not only will you find a wide variety of glass sliding door handles that you can choose from, but you also will find important information on how to mount the glass sliding door handle and if it’s the right style for your sliding door. You want to make sure that if you have thick sliding glass doors that your find a handle that will mount properly. Finally, there is the price for each of these items. The highest price doesn’t necessarily mean that you have the highest quality item for your door. You may buy a very expensive glass sliding door handle that may not be suited for the kind of sliding door that you have.

When shopping for the glass sliding door handle you want, you may want to remove the old one you want to replace and look at the parts required to mount the glass door handle. You will want to determine how many screws are required to hold it in place and the measurements. Unfortunately, glass sliding door handles are not one size fits all. Once you find the right match in measurements, then check to see if there are various designs or styles to choose from. If you have doubts about what to get after you’ve researched this site or any others ones, you can go to a hardware store that sells doorknobs and glass sliding door handles. It’s recommended that you take the old one with you to compare to others that are similar to it. The important thing to remember is to give the purchase of a glass sliding door handle as much as importance as any other hardware items in your home you want to replace.