If you run a home, plumbing can sometimes be a bit of a nightmare. It’s so alien to most people, yet so essential for having a decent quality of life.
In this post, we take a look at some of the most common residential plumbing questions that homeowners want answers to. Check them out below:
All Of Your DIY Plumbing Questions, Answered
What Is A Escutcheon?
You’ll notice that bathrooms have holes in the wall to the outside, usually covered by a small spout or decorative opening. This is called an escutcheon and it has a dual purpose of protecting your property from damage while also covering up any ugly gaps in your masonry.
Is My Water Pressure Too High?
Water pressure in standard homes isn’t particularly high, even for gravity-fed systems. However, you can sometimes run into trouble if the tank becomes overly pressuring, leading water to rush out at extremely high speed.
Water should come out in a single, uninterrupted flow. If it bursts out uncontrollably or forms an irregular pattern, that means that the pressure is too high and you need to release some of it.
Usually, high pressure occurs because of wear and tear to your system. It is often an indication of problems with your water lines, faucets, and check valves.
What Is A Check Valve?
So, what is a check valve? It’s essentially a type of valve that only allows fluid to move in one direction through your plumbing system. It has two openings, but water can only flow one way.
Over time, check valves become damaged. Their components can wear out, leading to failure, necessitating replacement.
Why Is Regular Drain Cleaning Necessary?
Cleaning your drains regularly isn’t a lot of fun, but it is necessary. Drains, unfortunately, become increasingly clogged over time because of all the waste and fat that goes through them. Eventually, it begins to accumulate, forming so-called “fatbergs” which can be difficult to remove by flushing alone.
To get rid of these, plumbers use long rods to push them through your system. Once the fatbergs are removed, everything should smell better and your toilets and sink holes should stop backing up.
Why Is My Faucet Leaking?
Nothing is more annoying than a leaky faucet, but why does it happen? Well, there are usually two reasons: either the water pressure in your home is too high, or the O-ring that sits at the base of the faucet is leaky.
To check if the water pressure is too high, use the method described above. If it is, you’ll need to get a plumber to come and check your system.
If the water pressure is normal, then you will need to remove the faucet from the sink, unscrew it and inspect the rubber O-ring. Sometimes, you won’t be able to see whether it is damaged, so you may need to replace it entirely.
What Is The Plumbing Code?
When you hire plumbers, you might see them referring to the so-called “plumbing code.” This is essentially a set of rules and regulations spelling out precisely how plumbers must operate to stay within the boundaries of the law. It includes things like how to perfect certain jobs, what measures they need to put in place to make water safe to drink, and best practices that prevent the spread of disease.
How Frequently Do Sewer Lines Require Replacement?
Sewer lines require replacement every 25 years or so. However, it depends on the material they are made of and how often they are used. You may need to replace some sewers once every fifteen years.
If you invite a plumber to your home for an inspection, it’s a good idea to get them to check all your systems to make sure that they are still in working order. Professionals will often be able to tell you whether you need work doing on your pipes, drains, boiler or any other plumbing feature.
How Long Do Water Heaters Last?
The life of a water heater depends on the manufacturer. Most will last anywhere from five to thirteen years, with the majority around the 10-year mark. To keep it in good condition, though, you’ll need to maintain it. Water heaters have a lot of moving parts and rely on combustion to heat water.
How Hot Should The Hot Water Be?
You can adjust the output of your water heater to increase or decrease the temperature of your water as it comes out of the faucet. Generally, you’ll want to set it to 120 F which you should be able to do with the help of a dial at the side.
