
A plumbing problem? You may be able to fix it yourself. Here are 9 tips that will allow you to carry out the most common plumbing jobs.
1. Fix a faucet
Before disassembling a leaky or defective faucet, be sure to shut off the supply faucet or the main water supply.
- Then place a plastic container large enough under the sink to catch any water that runs out.
- Place all the disassembled parts, in order, on a tray or a piece of plywood placed nearby. Reassembling the faucet will be easier.
2. Freeing a Welded Pipe
How to desolder a pipe? Most of the time, this welding problem is caused by the presence of water in the pipe, which prevents the joint from reaching a high enough temperature to melt.
- First turn off the water supply. It may be necessary to follow the pipeline to locate the main supply shut-off valve.
- With a small drill , drill a hole in the pipe (on its inner face), as close as possible to the welded joint, to allow the evacuation of water.
- Once the water is drained, you can unsolder the pipe, plug the hole and resolder everything.
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3. Clean a water heater
In some areas, the water may contain sediment which accumulates over time in the bottom of the hot water tank and can reduce its efficiency.
Water heaters running on oil or natural gas sometimes emit “gurgles”, which are a sign of such a build-up. The solution is to drain the water heater.
To drain your water heater
- First turn off the power to the water heater at the power panel.
- Then connect a garden hose to the outlet so that the water can flow out.
- In the case of a large build-up, it may be necessary to repeat the operation when the water heater has filled up again.
4. Eliminate sewage odors in the house
Your home’s sewage system is connected to a vent that is on the roof. Sometimes this vent is blocked by a bird’s nest, ice, or other debris. In this case, the water will flow more slowly, favoring the retention of air and the release of odors inside the house.
To prevent blockage of the vent , simply cover it with a metal mesh strainer or cap .
5. Insulate the pipes
Copper pipes are great for hot water, but their low thermal conductivity causes the water to lose its heat as it passes through them. Isolating them will help you counter the problem.
To insulate your pipes
- Surround them with an insulating sheath of polystyrene . The pipes will retain their heat and the water will stay hot longer. And during the summer, the cold water will stay cold.
- Be sure to cover as much of the pipes in the walls and floors as possible.
6. Unclog a sink
Do you use a plunger to unclog a sink? To facilitate the operation, plug the overflow with a damp cloth, which will increase the pressure in the drain
7. Weld a wet pipe
To weld a pipe in which there are still a few drops of water, it is enough to insert breadcrumbs into it.
This will allow you to solder the pipe, and the breadcrumbs will drain out when the water pressure is restored.