Easy Ways To Simplify Your Plumbing
- Written by News Company
It is incredibly important for you to maintain and look after your home. When you initially become a homeowner, there are a ton of plates you have to spin and from the electricity to cleaning to plumbing; it can be a daunting task which we simply aren’t prepared for.
The good news is that you don’t need to be a plumbing expert to make some clever decisions this year, and it fact you don’t need to have a clue what a Three Way Elbow Key Clamp or a galvanised pipe is to carry out some essential tasks at home.
This is why today we are going to look at the ways that you can simplify your home plumbing and maintain a healthy living space without the expert knowledge this year.
- Water in and out
As a plumbing novice, all you really need to know about the plumbing is that it includes water in, and water out. In order to understand how to look after your plumbing today, you need to understand which are the water in pipes and which are the out pipes. Supply pipes are ones which run from the local water supplier to the home, and they come from the exterior of the home. They are thin and small in size so are easy to identify. The water out pipes such as your drainage under the sink and toilet tend to be bigger.
- Get to know the valves
There are multiple types of valves used in plumbing, and here are the ones you will often see in your home:
* Ball Valve - these are often used for a steady water flow. There is a ball inside the pipe which will open to allow water through, and close to prevent it. A ball valve when closed is an excellent seal and it is a great way for you to protect the home from any water issues.
* Globe Valve - this is used to regulate the water flow in plumbing applications
* Check Valve - Check valves are used in water tanks and it includes and inlet for water to come in, and an outlet on the side where water leaves. It ensures that water will only travel in one direction.
* Pressure Reducing Valves - Self explanatory, a pressure reducing valve will reduce water pressure to a desired level.
* Butterfly Valve - this type of valve has a disc inside which is used to allow for easy regulation of water flow.
- Always turn off the water
It is important for you to make life as easy as you can when dealing with a plumbing issue. For example, if you were to have an issue with your taps, you will want to shut off the water supply to the taps before you start removing any pipework. This is something which is incredibly important, because if you don’t do this you will end up with water everywhere before you know it. Always turn the water off before and also run the taps for a moment first to allow any excess water to escape before you begin.
- Fixing a leaking tap
When it comes to fixing a leaking tap, this can actually be one of the easiest jobs to do when plumbing. As you check your tap for leaks, make sure to turn off the water supply and then change the washer and replace it with a new one. The ‘O’ ring is a washer which is found at the top of the tap spindle and it is easy to replace.
- The tap doesn’t work?
If you come home and find that your tap won’t turn on or off, the likely cause of this is the internal mechanism inside the tap. You will need to go to the hardware store and pick up a new mechanism and fit this to your tap.
- Cleaning the showerhead
Not all of your plumbing jobs in the home need to be complex, and one simple job which can be done without much hassle is unblocking the showerhead. Due to the moisture in the bathroom, and the fact that the showerhead is always slightly wet, over time the showerhead can become blocked with grime and mould. When this happens, the easiest way to clean the showerhead is to soak it in bleach and water overnight, and then run the shower for a few minutes to rinse it. After this your showerhead will be running smoothly and good as new again.
- Silicone instead of grout
Although grout can be a great tool to use when tiling in the bathroom, there is actually an option which is more effective than this. Silicone is a substance which can be used for many purposes in the home and is effective in providing a watertight seal wherever needed. It is flexible and is a great choice to seal the bath.
- Cut sealant away
As clean as we try to keep our bathroom, the exposure over time to moisture can have an effect which lasts for a long while. This is something we have to think about in the bathroom and it can be an annoyance to see mould forming on the sealant which won’t go away with regular cleaning, The best way to deal with this issue is to cut off the infected sealant with a stanley knife. This will make life much easier and it will allow you to start fresh and add a new layer.
- Keep everything dry
In order to try and help your pipes and plumbing stay in tip top shape, it is important to think about keeping everything in the house dry. A damp house is a breeding ground for rust, mould and other issues and it can cause damage to the home over time. Make sure to always keep the windows open when you can, wipe surfaces dry, and ensure that mould is never able to build up.