Plumbing issues can emerge anytime without any prior notice. So, it is very important to know about some of the best plumbing tips which help to save both your money and time.
Learning some important tips and tricks will again help you to manage some weekend plumbing works by yourself. With the help of these tips, you would be able to solve several plumbing problems that you may experience.
Another option to solve any plumbing issues is to take the help of a 24 hour plumber Orange County. But, they should possess the right knowledge and expertise to solve any particular plumbing issue.
Below are mentioned some of the smart and best plumbing tips that are proved to be best for the weekend plumbers:
1. Plastic Is Considered To Be More Ideal
Many people consider metal drain lines under the sinks as a more reliable option than plastic. If you also assume this, then you are very wrong. In this regard, plastic is known to be the best one to choose.
This particular option is easier to install and cheaper. Not only that, but this is also much easier to tighten or adjust.
Another advantage of plastic is that it does not corrode or rust like the metal ones. So, whenever you see any leakage in a metal drain, the best fix can be to replace the entire thing with plastic.
2. Getting Rid Of Clogs In Seconds
Clogs can be inconvenient and so, you should take proper care of them immediately. In this case, you can try following some of the important tips like using a dry or wet vacuum for sucking out the clog or pulling out a clog with the help of a tool.
These particular tips are proved to be very effective in solving your problem. If you want to learn more, then go to this site.
3. Avoid Over Tightening Of The Supply Lines
You should always be careful while you are tightening the supply lines. In this regard, over-tightening of the supply lines should be necessarily avoided as it can be very risky. This can result in wrenching off the rubber seals as well as cracking of the threaded nuts.
In this case, you should mainly focus on tightening the thing with the help of fingers. After that, you can make use of pliers to give it a turn. If you observe that the leak is still there, then tightening it a bit more can be helpful.
Apart from that, you should avoid reusing supply lines. At the time of replacing a faucet or a toilet, it is a misconception that reusing the old flexible supply lines will help to save money.
You should never do this mistake as plastic is such a material that degrades over time. Therefore, even a small leak can result in disastrous water damage. Although it is a small risk, you should avoid taking this risk.
In this regard, you should always focus on buying new lines that are enclosed in braided stainless steel. This option is much less likely to burst. But, if you already possess braided lines that are many years old, then it is best to replace them.
4. Selecting Caulking Over Putty
If you are confused between caulk and putty, then this section will clear all your doubts. In this regard, it is very important to note that many of the plumbers never use putty. The major reason behind this is that putty contributes to damage some plastic surfaces.
Along with that, it also leaves stains on surfaces similar to natural stone. Another disadvantage of putty is that it tends to dry out and crack. Thereby, it results in leaks. On the other hand, silicone caulk is regarded as a long-lasting and safer sealant to work with.
5. Using Heat For Loosening Of The Stuck Plumbing Fittings
One of the best tricks is to make use of heat, in case you are focusing to repair residential plumbing fixtures such as valves and pipes. This trick is considered to be very effective on old connections which were sealed with the help of pipe dope that hardened over time.
You can also use this particular trick for cracking the magnesium and calcium hard water deposits which can cause trouble for valves. In this regard, patience is the only key as it takes some amount of time for the metal to get hot enough.
Another important thing is to protect nearby surfaces with the help of a flame-resistant cloth. Other than that, you should always keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher on hand. If you are facing any sorts of difficulties, then you need to look for a 24 hour plumber Orange County.
6. Cutting Of Stubborn Parts
Both the mineral deposits and corrosion are considered to be very powerful in locking parts together. Sometimes, it becomes almost impossible to detach. In this regard, the only useful option is to cut the stubborn parts.
You can either slice or cut the part with the help of a hacksaw blade. Apart from that, some other important tools that you can use include rotary or oscillating tools.
7. Getting An Improved Grip
If you want to avoid stripping the setscrew, then some of the best components to use include valve grinding compound and hex socket. All that you need is to squeeze the hex socket deep down the setscrew with one of your hands.
And, you can use your other hand for pulling the ratchet handle. After that, you should focus on loosening the setscrew with a rapid yanking action.
8. Using Plumber’s Tape
Plumber’s tape is also known as Teflon tape. This is mainly used for sealing the pipe threads to prevent leaks around fittings and joints.
But, before sealing, you should focus on wrapping the tape thrice around the pipe threads. In this regard, you should know that yellow tape is specifically designed for the gas line connections whereas the yellow one is used for common household plumbing jobs.
Final Words
Therefore, the above-discussed ones are some of the smart tips and tricks which you can follow in emergencies. With these plumbing tips, you can now be better prepared for any emergency. But, if you want to know more, then try this site.
Author Bio:-
Angela is a marketing manager at EZ Plumbing USA. She loves to write about plumbing services, Water Damage Repair, slab leak repair, Hydro Jetting and AC & Appliance Installation San Diego.