One time or another, everyone has encountered a plumbing problem in the home; a broken water tap, a leaking roof, a blocked drain, or a heater that lets out cold water when you need a warm one.
Plumbing issues come when you least expect them. That is why most people will not think much about plumbing when all taps and drains are running.
It is when you notice a leaking pipe or faulty tap that you need residential plumbers in Houston. Plumbing skills help us accomplish daily activities running as we wait for the technician to sort the most problematic issues.
It is critical to understand the basic working of the plumbing system in the house. The knowledge can help you troubleshoot and do some basic repairs. Learning elementary plumbing can save you the headache of breakdowns and wastage in the home.
Here are few things you can practice and do by yourself. With a few household tools and some elbow grease, you may sort out some issues.
- Know your source of water
The water in the home can come from a private pump, city water line, or a residential well. Those living in the rural setup may get water from a well that gets to the house through a pump.
On the other hand, those in the urban areas pay the local government for the piped water supply in the home. At the end of the month, the consumers pay for the water used.
- Test water safety
Is the water flowing in your taps safe for human consumption? Experts recommend homeowners conduct tests for their water annually. Regular testing helps detect changes in the water PH, contaminant’s presences, and changes in water properties.
Purchase a water testing kit from a supplier near you. Water testing kits may vary depending on the specific items you need testing.
Water testing kits reveal turbidity, minerals, heavy metals, volatile organics, nitrates, and more. The water sample is then sent to the laboratory for analysis and results are sent to you.
- Locate the mains and turn them off
The water main is the valve that allows water to flow into the house. When it’s on, there’s water flowing and if turned off, the water supply in the home stops.
If you have leakage in the house, it is critical to know where the mains are instead of panicking and stopping the leak using crooked means. Look for a fixture designed like a wheel or a lever.
To stop the water from flowing, turn the wheel clockwise. To restore the water and allow it to flow, turn the bar-type lever anticlockwise until it stops.
- Identify the individual cut-off water valves
Every water-using appliance has a small handle where one can stop water from flowing. When you need to stop the water supply in a washer, sink, or toilet, you cut off the supply from the valve and not the mains.
The washer valve is usually behind it and closes to the wall. Find the water valve underneath the incoming pipes or against the wall, for the kitchen sink and all others. To locate the bathtub and shower cut-off valves, find them in the basement or the adjacent closet.
Cut-off valves allow you to isolate a single water source rather than shutting supply in the entire house.
- Monitor your water meter and bills
If you depend on city water for your home, it is critical to monitor the meter readings closely. The water meter is typically located outside and somewhere near the exit gate or street. A metal cover often protects it.
Monitoring the meter readings helps you to notice anything unusual with the water consumption. When the discrepancy between two months is significantly varied, it means you may have changed your water usage habit, or there’s a leakage.
Many people that rely on city supply want to know how the water is metered, the unit price per gallon of water and when the meter readings are taken. Therefore, keep a record of your monthly usage and determine an estimate. If there’s a spike, call a plumber to have your drainage checked.
- Test your household water pressure
You can request a plumbing company to test the water pressure in your home. You can also buy a water pressure tester from a home-improvement store near you.
The tester is a gauge that attaches to the side of a faucet to capture the reading. When you turn on the spigot on the tester, it runs to give the precise water pressure per square inch.
- Adjust the pressure
If you’re in an urban setup, the water company has a water pressure regulator that automatically. The water pressure regulator is set somewhere between the municipal water supply and the home in question.
Without a water pressure regulator, there would be a blast in almost all household appliances. Find your regulator near the mains or the valves. In other homes, the regulator may be outside or around the home.
A regulator has a screwed-on top and a bolt to help in making adjustments. Position someone to watch the change in the pressure while you adjust from the regulator. Turn it clockwise to increase pressure and anticlockwise to reduce it.
- Scout for hidden leaks
A leak can cause your bills to escalate. If the leak is in a hidden place, it may manifest by rotting wood, wet carpet, tiles, and odor.
You can also spot leakages if your energy bill has significantly increased. Unexplained huge bills may be a sign of leakages and water damage.
- Replace the faulty taps
Faulty taps allow water to sip. Much of the water goes to waste, which later escalates your bills. Loosen the screws and other fasteners. Replace the loose-fitting with the new ones with tight, well-fitting fixtures.
It helps to learn how the water systems in the homework. It can help you to avoid wastage and loss. The water mains, the valves, and the pressure regulator are some of the primary features. If the water issue is too big for you, do not hesitate to call a professional plumber.
