These basic plumbing tips for the beginner plumber make up an informative guide full of easy-to-follow steps. Hiring a professional plumber is usually the safest bet yet some of us might not have the budget to do so. If you’d like to save some money by attempting to solve some simple plumbing problems or maintenance issues yourself, simply follow these tips.
- PVC and CPVC are two very different types of pipes
They might sound similar, but in fact are really different two types of pipes. And by not knowing which exact type of a pipe you need – you can end up getting a wrong one that will not work for you, they’re really not interchangeable. PVC and CPVC pipes differ in both the way they are measured and by the function they serve, and cannot replace each other:
- CPVC are usually used for hot water lines or for a dishwasher or a washing machine that usually operate on hot water. Unlike CPVC, PVC pipes on the other hand are the ones usually used for cold or regular water lines.
- In PVC pipes, it’s the diameter of the inside of the pipe that is measured, while with CPVC, it’s the outside diameter of the pipe that is measured. One easy trick for not getting a wrong pipe by not measuring it properly, is to bring a piece of the old one you need replaced with you to the store – the people working there will know which one you need.
- They need different products. For example, you need different glues for different kinds of pipe.
- Before applying glue, you need to apply a primer
When you need to glue a pipe, it’s not only about knowing the type of pipe you’re gluing – you also need to remember that you need to apply a primer. And just like glues, the primer you choose also needs to correlate with the type of pipe you’re gluing.
- Consider adding a shut-off valve
Even though it might sound like an extra step, you always want to consider adding a shut-off valve regardless of the area of your home you’re working on. This way, next time you’ll need to work in a given area of the house you can simply shut off the water for that area only and not for the entire home.
- The most common plumbing problem is a leaky faucet
One of the most common plumbing problems is a leaky faucet and this is exactly why you should know that it’s easy to fix. A leaky faucet is usually caused by the wearing of an aerator, but can also mean that you need to replace a washer, rubber seal, or an o-ring, which is really easy to do and every beginner DIY-er can learn how to do it.
- The problem with a running toilet is usually a flapper that needs to be replaced
It’s something you will definitely face sooner or later – a running toilet. That’s why you might want to know that it’s really easy to fix it. It is quite common for the cause to be a flapper that needs to be replaced. It’s a rubber part placed in the back of the toilet that is super cheap, easy to replace and easy to purchase in most hardware stores.
- A shower drain must measure exactly 2” in diameter
It also needs to maintain this diameter all the way to the main line in order for it to be in regulatory compliance. When it comes to toilet drains though – they can come in different diameters ranging between 3”-4”. A good tip to keep in mind is that the longer, the better, since longer ones are less likely to have issues with clogs and back-ups.
- Each toilet must have a vent pipe and a clean out
It’s required that you must have vent pipes along the exterior of the house for all toilets installed. One good rule to follow is that you need one per each toilet, unless some of them are really close to each other, thus able to connect to one vent pipe. Aside from a vent pipe, each toilet (or one for two toilets that are very close to each other) needs to have a clean out – this makes it accessible to plumbers.
- Most sinks have P traps
A P trap is a removable pipe that is a common source of build-ups and clogs. By learning what a P trap is, you will be able to unclog a drain by simply removing it and cleaning it from dirt that caused the clog.
- Lower water pressure is often related to one of 3 common reasons
If you’re experiencing a lower water pressure then it’s most probably because of one of these three things: a leaky faucet, clogged aerators or a blockage in pipes. Those are all really basic and easy to solve. You can do them by yourself without any professional help.
Conclusion
Knowing the most basic plumber tips and tricks will save you tons of time, energy, money and nerves. It will also help you stay away from any serious water damage in the house. Plus, it will make you feel good about being able to take care of your house (and pipes). Of course, some jobs will still need to be done by a professional, but there are the most basic little plumbing emergencies that you can face and solve by yourself.
Knowing the most basic plumber tips and tricks will save you tons of time, energy, money and nerves. It will also help you stay away from any serious water damage in the house. Plus, it will make you feel good about being able to take care of your house (and pipes). Of course, some jobs will still need to be done by a professional, but there are the most basic little plumbing emergencies that you can face and solve by yourself.
First published here: 9 Basic Plumber Tips For The Beginner
Marvin V. Kumar 