1. What people should know about plumbing?
Plumbing ensures safe drinking water for houses and commercial places. It brings comfort to our everyday living as we use it in functional areas such as the kitchen, and bathroom. An effective plumbing design will save you a lot of work, time, and money during its repair in the future. Knowing the basics of your plumbing system as a homeowner gives you an understanding of the status of your house. Simple repairs and knowing how to identify serious problems as soon as possible will save you money in the long-run.
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2. What are the top plumbing maintenance tips?
Here are the things that you should consider to determine if your plumbing system just needs simple repairs and if a professional plumber is needed to fix complicated problems.
Identify the source of your water
Generally, water comes from either two sources: a well from a residential area or a private pump or city mainline. Rural residents that have water wells can utilize water via a pump and do not receive any water bill. On the other hand, people living in urban places get their supply of water through a city mainline and since water supply comes from the city, residents usually receive a monthly or quarterly water bill.
How’s the quality of the water?
For rural residents who use water wells, it is advised to have their water tested at least once per year because changes in supply and water treatment may happen. Additionally, the presence of soil shifts and agricultural processes near the well water supply may affect its quality. However, individuals receiving city water supply may choose whether or not to test their water quality.
Know where your water mainline
It usually resembles a wheel or a bar type lever. If it’s a wheel, turn it slowly until it stops, if it is a lever, push right or down until it stops. Knowing the location of the main water will not make you panic if ever a crisis occurs like water spewing everywhere in the house. You can determine if the water is turned off by attempting to run water in the sink. If water doesn’t run, then you’ll know you’re successful.
Find individual cut-off valves
Make sure to check the supply of your appliances that consume water: washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, and sinks. There’s a small handle on each appliance where the water supply goes. These individual valves enable you to isolate a water supply when maintenance is necessary, without needing to shut off the water supply to the entire house.
Check your water meter and bill regularly
This is especially true for residents supplied by the city mainline. Ask your water company to help you locate your water meter and how the water is metered. Regularly check the water bill each month, because sudden surges of water bill may probably be due to a water leak.
Test water pressure
You can ask the water company to test it for you or you can test it for yourself. You can buy water pressure tester in hardware or home improvement stores.
Check for hidden leaks
You can test water leaks by checking your water meter. Make sure when you test it, all indoor and outdoor spigots are turned off tightly. If there are spikes in your water meter, then suspect that there are leaks somewhere.
Know your water heater
Try to find the valves for water and for electric or gas supply for water heater. Water heaters typically last about 1012 years and it wears off over time by the presence of leaks
Locate sewer lines and septic system
It’s important to know where your utility lines run and what type of septic system you have.
Familiarize yourself with breaker panels
If you are going to fix it on your own, make sure to cut all power off the area you are about to fix
Contact The Pipe Doctor for Any Plumbing Issues
If you’re looking for an expert plumber in Seattle, don’t hesitate to call us at The Pipe Doctor. We’re a family-owned 24-hour plumbing company that specializes in sewer work and general plumbing. As Registered Sewer Side Contractors with the city of Seattle, we have the expertise to address all your plumbing-related inquiries.
The Pipe Doctor
12345 Lake City Way NE Ste 311, Seattle, WA 98125
Phone: (206) 676-2192
Email: thepipedr@gmail.com