Posts Tagged ‘plumbing repair’

How To Repair A Hole In The Plastic Tank ?

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Have you ever noticed your plastic water tank dripping? Well, leaky faucets and broken fixtures is one of the common problems of plumbing. And the home owners nowadays run to seek the help of plumber even for this minor problems without bothering to see if it can be set right by themselves.

Apart from wasting the precious water, water leaking from the water tank brings you frustration and distress. The best part on fixing its leakage is, you don’t have to wait for the expert to come and fix it. Rather, as you see the faucet running, you can immediately go for its repair. This article will familiarize an individual to easily carry out the process.

Fixing a leaky plastic water tank is very easy. You can repair the cracks and holes using an plastic epoxy which is as tough and firm as plastic welded repair.

First of all empty the tank and let it dry from the exterior as well as the interior. After your plastic water tank has dried, file the affected area with the 100 grit sandpaper to make it smooth and free from the dirt and debris that is usually accumulated in cracks and holes.

Now, wipe off the scraped area with a clean, dry rag to make it more clean and suitable to adhere it with the solvent. Even a small residue left on the water tank could result into an improper seal between the plastic tank and the epoxy resin. Ensure, you have properly clean the area to be repaired.

It is now needed to mix the epoxy in a well manner. Carefully apply it on the damaged part. Having applied the epoxy, leave the arrangement for some time. Allow it to cure to ensure proper repair.

There are times when the crack goes broader and deeper. Here, homeowners are required to place a fiber glass mesh on the crack and then apply the plastic epoxy.

You are now done up with the repairing process and the only thing left is to inspect the tank to ensure the hole is fixed or not. Fill in the water and check for any leaks and fissures. If the tank is perfectly alright, empty it again and let it dry before refilling it.

Those interested in the subject of plumbing and plumbing problems are able to get a stronger grip and understanding by reading articles expertly written by Ross Kaye. If you are looking for clear advice on oil burner problems and boiler relief valve, visit eLocalPlumbers.com.

How To Clean Calcium Deposits From The Toilet ?

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Clean water is an utmost part of ones body. Water is something that keeps our daily household activities in action. Water scarcity brings our daily set up to a standstill. By no means we can lower the importance of water in our lives. Apart from carrying the daily household activities, water contain some very essential minerals like calcium, manganese and magnesium etc that are needed for human body.

Based on the universal fact, each and every thing has its own share of advantages and disadvantages. And so is the minerals present in the water. Though these minerals are of great importance for the human body but, are often accumulated on the faucet like sinks, toilet seat and showers.

Places like toilet seat, shower, sinks and other faucets when comes in contact with the minerals and the hard water highly suffer from calcium deposition. This seems to be unsightly and displeasing. So, below are some steps that helps an individual to get rid of the calcium deposits from the toilet seat.

Firstly, the most common method is to clean the toilet using toilet cleaners. Since, these have high content of acid that helps in eating away all the hard water. Allow the cleaner to sit on the toilet bowl and then scrub it with a toilet brush. Simply rinse it off after some time.

If some of the hard water stains still persist, soak that particular area with more cleanser for a longer period. Some of the toilet cleaners contain very harsh chemicals, make sure your bathroom is well ventilated as they release harmful fumes while you apply them on the toilet surface.

Another option one can use to remove the hard water stains is to use the acid. One that is suitable and safe for the family and the children is the white distilled vinegar. Vinegar when used with full strength is highly effective in taking out the stains and keep your toilet clean and free from germs.

If you don’t wish to bail out the toilet bowl, simply pour the vinegar in the toilet bowl and let it stand for some time. Scrub the affected area or the complete toilet and then wash it off. This method is simple and convenient.

If by all efforts you fail to remove the stains or if your toilet possess some dark and old stains, you can use pumice stone. Since these are good abrasive materials that are commercially available for toilet cleaning. Make sure, you don’t rub the stain too rigid as this will damage the toilet porcelain.

Michael Simmons has been writing articles on plumbing for many years. His expert knowledge and expertise is valued by plumbers across the country. If you are looking for an understanding of burnham boiler facts) and honeywell zone valve facts), visit eLocalPlumbers.com.

Steps To Change PVC Valve

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Comparatively very light in weight and almost labor- less laying of plastic piping has popularized the plumbing of bathrooms and kitchens. Where larger pipe lengths are needed to be coupled together either cement or appropriate solvents are used. These pipes once fitted cannot be changed if the homeowner so desires.

Have you ever thought of changing the bathroom fittings? Well, you can’t reuse those earlier fitted pipe. Rather, you have to replace it with a new one. Even if one has to replace the pipe valve, the pipe is to be cut down and again fitted with the new valve and some extra couplings and connectors.

Let us discuss some steps one should consider while replacing a PVC valve. In order to work on any pipe length that is already placed, you need to first shut off the water supply to that pipe. Also, gather two couplings, a connector and the PVC valve that is needed to be replaced. Properly measure and mark the pipe length and the rest of the items you will be accommodating with the valve

. Cut the pipe from the marked area and file it with the sandpaper to make the edges smooth. Roughly adjust the couplings. Also, include the slip joints in the couplings and slide the pipes inside them.

Now, measure the total length of the PVC valve and deduct the length of two slip joints located on the couplings. This is the final PVC valve length. Subtract this PVC valve length from the total length between the two couplings. The remaining distance is divided for each cut length of the pipe connectors.

Next, clean the inside of the slip joints and the outer portion of the connectors and the PVC plumbing pipes. Adhere all the coupling joints, connectors and the pipes using the adhesive or the glue. Wipe the excess glue from the joints, before the glue dries. This allows for a professional-looking installation.

Turn on the water supply and check the connections for fissures. In addition to this, one should use ball valve in place of gate valve as latter one are more prone to failure.

Last step would be checking the set up to examine the proper working of the pipe. Also make sure, there are no leaks and hole present in the valve and the complete piping. Always see to it that you don’t use the gate valves due to their earlier aging. For this manufacturers are also phasing them out and are turning towards the ball valve.

For years, author, James Becker has been authoring articles on plumbing and plumbing problems. He has a strong following across the country. Many can rely on his expertise. If you are looking for a clear understanding of moen faucet repair and moen cartridge replacement, visit eLocalPlumbers.com.

Easy Method For Pedestal Sink Removal

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

You can gratify the look of your bathroom by installing a premium quality pedestal sink. They offer you a large range of colors, models and sizes that suits other accessories of the bathroom and the home as well. These sink designs are ideally meant for less space bathrooms as they consume a very little space.

These have a long list of advantages and are capable to satisfy the needs of homeowners. Out of many advantages, one that is highly appreciated by homeowners is its easy installation. Not only the installation but, times when homeowners desire to renovate the bathrooms, one can easily remove them as well. The following part of the article familiarizes you with certain steps to simply remove the pedestal sink.

Before getting into the work first, turn off the water supply to your bathroom sink. Allow all the residual water to drain off from the sink. Since, the drain pipes contain some nasty water, place a bucket under the sink to hold it.

Use the hacksaw to cut down the copper pipe if there is no shut off valve. Otherwise, you can do with just dis- joining the sink and the valve.

Now, disconnect all the plumbing to the sink. Also, disconnect the sink trap of the pedestal sink drain. Generally, the trap is connected to the sink with the help of screws. Just, unscrew those screws using a pair of channel lock pliers.

Make use of the utility knife to cut down the silicon caulk that secures the sink at the wall. Cut the caulk between the pedestal and the sink and between the pedestal and the floor. Make sure, that before cutting, ask someone to hold the sink.

As the sink is now fully grasped by the helper, you can further put out anchors that are used to secure the sink bowl to the wall properly. So, open the bolts and remove the anchors and the pedestal in turn.

Having removed all the components of the pedestal sink now, detach the supply that connects the sink drain to the home drainage. You are now done with the sink removal. The only thing left is cleaning the plumber’s putty from the wall as well as the floor.

Scott Rodgers is a noted author who has been providing ample guidance on plumbing works all over the country. His splendid knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for skilled plumbers across the nation, from Fox Lake Plumbers (Need one?click here!) to San Fernando Plumbers (Need one?click here!).

Steps To Remove The Garbage Disposal From The Kitchen Sink

Friday, January 1st, 2010

Garbage disposal are a great tool for your kitchen, if used properly. These work superb in disposing the organic food waste through the sink. However, if not maintained properly, there may come a time when you need to replace the unit.

Removing a sink disposal is simply a do- it- yourself project and you don’t need to rely on the plumbers to do it for you. Let us discuss the steps to remove the kitchen sink disposal very easily.

Since, it is hazardous to work with the live electricity, firstly shut off the power to the sink disposal. Generally, there are two types of disposals are available in the market. First is the plug- in cord type which you just need to unplug from the electrical outlet. Another one is directly connected to the power supply. For that simply trip the circuit breaker.

The place where the disposal is connected to the house wiring needs to be determined. Thereafter, unfasten the screws holding the connection between them. Also, access the conduit and cover each and every wire separately with the plastic nuts.

To hold some of the nasty water, place a bucket under the disposal and all other plumbing connections. Next, your dishwasher is connected to the disposal with the help of the hose clamp. Just unscrew the screws holding the clamp and remove the dishwasher as well.

Dis- join the discharge pipe of the disposal and the drain pipe of the house. It is better to use pair of channel lock pliers that are suitably used for this purpose.

All the electric circuitry and the plumbing fixtures are now disconnected from the disposal. One can now separate the disposal from the sink drain. Snap rings are used to mount the disposal under the sink. Start unfastening the disposal in the counter- clockwise direction. This way the disposal will come out of the mounting. Just drag the out the appliance and empty all the garbage and the debris from it.

Once the disposal is out, also take out the mounting. Unscrew the screws that secure the mounting ring. Detach the mounting ring and the washers as well. Free the drain flange from the plumber’s putty that seals the flange to the top of the sink.

Scott Rodgers has been excelling with plumbing works for a long time now. His wide and well spread guidance has created business opportunities for many Reston Plumbers(Need one?click here!) and Devon Plumbers (Need one?click here!)

Fixing The Shower Head Yourself

Friday, January 1st, 2010

Home owners nowadays run to seek the help of plumber even for minor problems in their faucets, broken fixtures or other plumbing disorders without bothering to see if it can be set right by themselves. A leak in the shower head can easily be repaired by us.

Apart from wasting the precious water, water leaking from the shower head brings you frustration and distress. The best part on fixing the shower head leakage is, you don’t have to wait for the expert to come and fix it. Rather, as you see the faucet running, you can immediately go for its repair.

In order to repair the dripping shower head, first of all we should have all the necessary items needed to mend the faucet, viz the plumber’s wrench, pliers, Teflon tape and the O rings etc. Detach the shower head form the pipe with the help of wrench, pliers and sometimes it can be done even with the bare hands.

There are several threads on the shower head through which it is screwed in the pipe. There are possibilities that the plastic or the rubber washer present in it is damaged. If so, replace it with a new one.

Having replaced the rubber washer for a new one, a Teflon tape must be encased around the threaded portion of the shower head stem and confirm the connection.

In case the threads over the stem are worn out, an additional wrap of the Teflon tape will have to be bandaged around it This will most likely stop the leakage.

Next,ensure that you fix the shower head with hand and do not tighten it too hard. If the shower head is overtightened there are possibilities that the newly fixed washer may also cave in.

To make sure that the leakage has been successfully fixed, we should put on the shower and watch carefully for any fissures. If it still persists the help from some professional may be taken. As the possibility is that shower’s water control valve has gone out of order. And this cannot be repaired by an ordinary person.

Scott Rodgers is a fine expert who has been authoring on plumbing for a long time now. His skill has given motivation to a host of workers, varying from Reading Plumbers to Beecher Plumbers .

Easy Steps To Remove The Toilet

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Have you ever realized that repairing a leaky faucet can save up to 1000 gallons of water per year? This seems to be the most serious issue. Since, water has become a scarce resource one should conserve it rather than wasting it. Because, repairing a leaky faucet like a toilet is not a complicated task, homeowners can carry out themselves. Moreover, you can remove the leaky toilet easily, if you have decided to replace it with a new one.

Continuously falling water drops from the toilet not only wastes water but is quite displeasing. We thus should not overlook and take immediate remedial steps. And if by all efforts, the toilet still persist the leakage, replace the toilet with a new one. Removing the leaky toilet is not a difficult task and can be done up by even an unskilled person if he follow the instruction provided below.

For taking off the faulty faucet, first stop the water supply. Additionally, drain out all the water from the bowl and the toilet tank. Make sure, you have flush out the water properly.

Now using the plumber’s wrench unscrew the nut that couples the water supply and the toilet tank. Generally, the tank is held to the bowl with the large sweeping elbow. First remove the elbow. For that, you can simply saw it using a hacksaw.

Just take out the tank from the wall and keep it aside. Now is the turn of your toilet bowl. These are fastened to the floor with two hold-down bolts and nuts beneath trim caps. Break open each trim cap so as to expose the nuts. Unscrew the nuts.

Try move the toilet back and forth so as to loosen its from its connection at the floor. As the toilet is now detached from the floor, you can lift it up. Place a bucket under it as it will hold the waste water.

Always remember to block the toilet flange with the remnants so as to avoid things getting down the drains and clogging it. Moreover, this will not allow the sewer gases to back flow into the home drains.

Easy method to detach the toilet seat and the tank from the floor helps the inexperienced and ignorant man to carry out the project accurately. This is simply a do- it- yourself project. Only care to be taken is to grip and hold the faucet firmly as these are more subject to breakage.

Scott Rodgers is an excellent author who has been providing great guidance on plumbing works all over USA. His exemplary knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the nation, from Wildomar Plumbers to Honey Brook Plumbers .

Joining The Home Plumbing Pipes

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

There are many different types of pipes that are available in the market. But the one that has revolutionized the modern plumbing is PVC pipes. PVC is a short name for polyvinyl chloride. It is basically a polymer or a plastic that offers a large range of advantages to the homeowners. These are easy to install and work with.

The most popular alternative to the PVC pipe is the low cost ABS pipe material. These are usually black colored and are used for the drainage lines. However, in cases where long lengths of the pipes are needed, several pipes are joint together. This article familiarizes you with the step by step procedure to join the pipes.

First of all we should have all the necessary items needed to adhere the pipes, viz cement, hacksaw, gloves and of course the pipes to be affixed.

Now, if you are well equipped with items needed, start with the project. Firstly measure the length of the pipe that is needed and mark it with the pencil. Then, using a hacksaw, try cutting it in the straight direction. Make sure, you cut the pipe evenly. Because an uneven pipe is difficult to join.

Since, it is near to impossible to affix the pipe that has uneven edges. So, after you have cut the pipe, file it properly and make its edges even and leveled.

Also, it is very difficult to dis- join the pipes once they are fixed. Therefore, it is advised to first fix the pipes before applying the cement. If the join seems proper, dis- join the pipes and apply cement in them.

The process of putting the cement should be carried out very fast. Both the inner and the outer portion of the joint should be covered with the cement. This will make the joint more firm and stronger.

Join the pipes together. Also, twist the pipes at the joint so as to evenly spread the cement. Pipe cement works to permanently fix the joint. Hence, any mistake have to be corrected in a very short period of time.

Scott Rodgers is an author with great knowledge on plumbing. He has ample plumbing experience all over the country. His splendid knowledge has helped in generating a lot of business opportunities for West Palm Beach Plumbers and Cutler Plumbers .