Emergency Plumber Tips In Adding Shutoff Valves

Taking care of the plumbing system is not only the responsibility of the emergency plumber. Homeowners should learn how to better maintain their plumbing system not only to generate savings on repair costs but also to help extend the lifespan of their pipes, faucets, and drains. One of the tricks that homeowners can do to better maintain their plumbing system is to add shutoff valves under their sinks. According to industry experts, shutoff valves in every sink inside a house also help the homeowner conserve water by allowing them to quickly respond and stop a leaking faucet, particularly if it is already starting to cause flooding. With a shutoff valve under the sink, the homeowner will not have to rush to their main water supply and shut off the water to the entire house. Aside from wasting time, this is also inconvenient since no one in the household will be able to use water until the leak has been repaired.

The cost of adding shutoff valves

If you are thinking that this is just another expense that you will have to pay for on top of all your other expenses, you should not have to worry. The reason is that standard shutoff valves are very affordable and cost-effective. Plus, it is up to you if you will opt to install a valve in every sink and faucet in the house. Keep in mind that you can also consider installing the valve to those sinks that are frequently used and are more prone to leakage. These include the sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms. Moreover, installing shutoff valves is fairly simple and easy, provided you have all the necessary tools. On the other hand, if you would rather have a Myrtle Beach emergency plumber to install the valves, you can also do so. Remember that installation is simple and easy; thus, it will not take a plumber an entire day to install the valves. So if you are paying them by the hour, you will not have to pay a huge sum of money for the installation. Think of this added expense as an investment for the maintenance of your house. Plus, the amount that you will have to spend is a lot less than what you have to pay for when a leak in the bathroom sink has already resulted in flooding, wasting gallons of water in the process. Installing shutoff valves The first thing you need to know, if you decide to install shutoff valves, is that there is a specific type of valve for certain sink hookups. Also, there is a specific type of fitting used with valves that depend on the type of pipes used in the sink. The two most common types of valves used in many homes today are the angle-stop valve and the straight-stop valve. The angle-stop valve is often used for sinks with water pipes entering through the back wall, while the straight-stop valves are for sinks with the water pipe entering through the floor. If the pipe used has copper, the valve that will be installed should have a compression fitting. On the other hand, if the pipe is made from iron, the valve to be installed should have female iron-pipe threads. If you want to be sure about the type of shutoff valve to purchase for your sinks, consult an emergency plumber. MBHS Plumbing will assist you with this small improvement to your plumbing system from choosing the types of valves you need to install them. Here are some other key points that you have to keep in mind with regards to installing shutoff valves.

• Always shut off the water from your main supply before doing any work on the sink. You need to make sure there is no water running through your plumbing system as you install the shutoff valves. In addition, you also need to drain the remaining water inside the pipes. You want the pipes as dry as possible to help the pipe-joint compound to stick more securely to the pipes.

• Keep a small bucket in the area where you will be working. This is for any remaining water in the system. Remember that even after turning off the main water supply and draining the pipes, there might still be water left in the pipes. To prevent making a mess or flooding the area, you should have a small bucket within your reach.

• Know the different types of wrench that you need to use. You will need a basin wrench, a wrench with a long handle, to help you reach the pipes and nuts behind the sink during plumbing repair. You also need the standard pipe wrench which you will use to grip pipe stubs. An adjustable wrench will also come in handy as this will allow you to unthread different sizes of pipes.

• Clean the pipe threads with a wire brush. Make sure there are no hardened pipe dopes in the threads to allow the pipe-joint compound to securely stick to the pipes and valves. Keep in mind that a properly applied compound helps prevent gaps between the pipes and valves. You do not want to have gaps in the pipes and valves as this is where leaks begin to develop.

Below are some helpful tips from a local emergency plumber to help you properly and lore efficiently maintain your plumbing system.

1. Keep the toilet safe from toddlers

If you have toddlers in the household, you will need to teach them how to properly use the toilet. Otherwise, they will continue to misuse the toilet and, thus, eventually cause costly damages to the toilet. Basically, you will need to teach the younger members of the household that the toilet is not a toy. Some kids will look at a toilet as a toy and try to flush different things in it. If you do not watch them carefully, you will end up with clogged toilets more often than necessary. In addition to this, you also need to teach them how much toilet paper to use. Using too much or more than what is normal will clog toilets easily. It helps if you explain to them what will happen if they will not listen to you.

1. Avoid clogs in the kitchen

The primary cause of clogs in the kitchen are fats, grease, and oil which often waste from food preparation. Keep in mind that the fats, grease, and oil that you dispose of in the kitchen sink can accumulate and clog your kitchen pipes. What makes it easy for clog build-ups to develop is the curved shape of the pipes under the sink. You can help prevent the buildup of clogs by avoiding pouring waste grease and oils down the kitchen drain. It also helps if you start using strainers in your kitchen sinks as this traps debris and particles from going down the drain and accumulating in the curved part of the pipes. And to ensure that there is no accumulation of debris and oils in your kitchen pipes, a Myrtle Beach plumber recommends running hot water down the drain for at least five minutes. The hot water will loosen any debris and fats accumulation in the pipes. Do this several times during the day and every time you feel your drain is clogged. You can assure this if you notice that your kitchen drains are working slower than normal.

1. Use strainers in the Bathtub

Your bathtub drains can also become clogged if you do not take precautionary measures. The most common causes of clogging in the bathtub are hair and soap. You can prevent them and other debris from going down by using drains in your bathtub drain. Remember to clean the strainer every time after you use the bathtub. This will prevent hair and soap scum from building up on the strainer and preventing the smooth and continuous flow of water. You can also consider pouring boiling water down the drains at least once every month. This will take care of any debris that has slipped through the drains and have accumulated in the pipes. Be careful in using chemical solutions because these can cause damage to the pipes.

Don’t let plumbing emergencies ruin your day. Call MBHS Plumbing if you need help with your plumbing.

MBHS Plumbing Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 843-353-6283 plumbermyrtlebeach.com

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