provided by: HandyHouseholdHints.com
People in this world rely heavily on plumbing, more so then most of us will admit, but the fact is many people have very little knowledge of the plumbing system in their home. This can cause a lot of problems and great expense when you consider the fact that the cheapest plumber is about $20 an hour plus parts, so you may want to learn a few basic facts about the plumbing in your home.
First off you should know what kind of pipes you have. The two most common types are copper and plastic. Some high dollar homes are fitted with brass pipes, but this is highly expensive and few plumbers will even work with brass.
These days plastic has become the most common of all plumbing system because the cost is very low. However, plastic pipes do tend to give one a lot more problems then copper. Plastic is not nearly as long lasting and cannot handle pressure issues as well as their metal counterparts.
Next you should familiarize yourself with the areas of your home that feature shut off valves. Shut off valves will stop the flow of water to one pipe or the whole system depending on the location. Standard homes are equipped with shut off valves at each point of entry into the home, including sinks and toilets. It is important to know where the valves are located to make sure that you can shut the water off in case of a leak or pipe burst.
The main shut off valve is normally located closest to the water meter or the well area with the pump depending on the setting of your home. The main valve will cease the flow of water to every part of the house in case of a major leak or other problem.
Hot water heaters are usually the least thought about parts of any plumbing system. As you are aware, the hot water heater heats all water that flows into the tank. The tank needs time to fill up each time hot water is used. If you are planning a do it yourself plumbing project where the main water valve will be shut off for any period of time then you need to stop the power source to the hot water heater. If you forget to do this then the unit may burn itself up trying to heat water that is not there.
Becoming familiar with the plumbing system in your home is a good idea, especially if you are planning any kind of do it yourself project that could require plumbing.
WARNING: Make sure that you read and follow all the instructions and safety precautions on the packaging for fluids, chemicals, glues, and other parts that you are using to repair the plumbing in your home to prevent illnesses and injuries. Also, make sure to wear the proper protective clothing, such as gloves or goggles, to prevent illnesses and injuries.
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