No one likes to think about plumbing, except when there is a problem, which you know is going to cost you money. However, knowing the basics could save you time and money when it comes to a simple issue, but leave the big jobs up to the professionals.
Plumbing literally follows the laws of nature; gravity and pressure. So, basically your home plumbing system brings clean water in and takes the waste water out. The water coming into your home is under pressure and therefore allows it to go around corners and upstairs, wherever there is a need.
As the water travels into your home, it passes through a meter that registers how much you use; the main water switch is located here. In a plumbing emergency it’s of utmost importance that the main valve is immediately switched off. Some main fixtures have individual switches to stop water flow.
Cold water is readily available for use. Hot water on the other hand, needs to flow to the geyser where it is heated. The best temperature for a home geyser is 60°C which is both adequate and economical.
Drainage
The sewage draining system in your home uses the principle of gravity. Waste matter leaves your home via drainage pipes that are angled downwards into a sewage treatment system. While the system sounds relatively simple, there are a few more components including, vents, traps and clean outs. If there were no vents than the waste water would not be able to flow out properly. You can see a trap under every sink, it is the S-shaped or curved pipe under the sink. Just enough water stays in this pipe to form a seal that prevents sewer gas from finding its way up into your home. Toilets are self-trapped and don’t require an additional trap at the drain. Baths have drum traps that not only form a seal against sewer gas, but also collects hair and dirt to prevent clogging.
Select clean-out plugs that trap grease and hair to prevent drain clogs.
Plumbing Basics
A dripping tap can waste as much as 10 000 litres per year if not fixed. So, check if you have a leaking tap by turning it off tightly and if it continues to drip, then you need to replace the washer, which tends to wear with age and use. Once you have switch off the mains, turn the tap on and drain all the remaining water out of the pipes. Remove the tap, replace the washer and fit the tap again. Switch the main water supply on, leaving the tap open to allow the water to flow through, this helps prevent airlocks.
If your toilet cistern overflows, it is most probably due to the float arm being set too high. Loosen the nut and lower the ball float by about 2,5cm. Thereafter check the water level in the cistern to see if it still overflows, continue to adjust the ball float until the desired level is reached. If the problem persists it may be time to replace the ball float itself.
Plumbing Tips
- Make up a basic plumbing kit consisting of basic tools and washers and O rings that fit your taps and valves around the house.
- Keep your plumber’s number handy in case you have a serious problem.
- Modern mixers and thermostatic taps are complicated to work with, rather call your plumber.
- Put in the plug and use an old towel before commencing work on a basin to protect it from damage.
- Always hold the spout of the tap in the opposite direction of the pressure of the spanner; this will prevent the basin from cracking easily.
Knowing some informations in basic plumbing can really help you save time and money. You may not need to rush in time or to panic when you know how to repair your home. However, you will also need to be informed about the professional plumbers you can rely on when it comes to bigger plumbing problems.
Plumbing on 03/04/2011