Category: Blogging

Do It Yourself Plumbing: 5 Mistakes to Avoid as Beginner

Did you know you can fix yourself those dripping faucets, water hammer, overflowing toilets, or puddles of water in basement? Yes, that is right – you can become a do it yourself plumbing expert today and save hundreds of dollars, but you have to be careful. Let’s be clear – minor plumbing problems come up almost on a daily basis. On the other hand, the biggest plumbing issues are most of the times result of carelessness. If you root out that leak or clog in time, you won’t need a plumbing professional. However, some people simply get too excited about being their own plumbing superheroes, they mess up everything and end up with a plumber. Today, we will give you a couple of valuable instructions will prevent turning your do it yourself plumbing adventure into a disaster. Trust us, when you know how to handle the materials properly and use the right tools, you will have so much fun fixing things around your house. Do It Yourself Plumbing – Instructions  In this part, we will talk about the initial steps towards a repair, then will mention the most common mistakes in do it yourself plumbing, and move on to a couple of incredibly interesting and easy do it yourself plumbing tricks. Preparation 1. Locate the Valves Always remember this when making any steps towards a do it yourself plumbing project – locate and shut off the valves. Take this seriously, even when performing the least important and least risky fixes (tightening toilet seat for example). If you have a nice and modern plumbing system in your home, there is a great possibility you have shutoff valves in each bathroom. When building a plumbing system, experts locate valves in the basement most of the times but don’t rely on this only. It is always better to check if there are any hidden shutoffs behind access panels. The best test to check if you have turned off the right valves is to turn the faucet on or to flush the toilet. If there is any water running, then you should inspect the valves a bit better.Does this seem complicated? We have another great tip for saving the day with your do it yourself project. The most reliable way to turn off the valves is to shut down the main one. You will find it easily, as the main valve is always located where the water line gets into your

Plumber Skills List and Examples

Beyond using a plunger on an overflowing toilet or using some liquid drain cleaner, real plumbing work is not one of the easiest do-it-yourself home projects. A call to a plumber is most likely going to be one’s best bet when pipes freeze or other residential plumbing issues arise. And, as long as people continue to have indoor plumbing (the outlook is good), skilled plumbers will always be in demand. Plumbers repair and install the pipes and drainage systems that are connected to appliances, machines, and water fixtures. Some plumbers concentrate on residential plumbing, while others specialize in commercial. Some focus on installing systems in new construction, while others are adept at repairing existing systems. Top Skills Needed When you’re applying for jobs, there are certain skills that employers expect applicants for plumbing jobs to have. Here are a few of the top skills needed to succeed as a plumber. Manual Dexterity and Physical Demands Working with pipes, usually in tight, confined spaces, requires the strength to hold up pipework, appliances, or toilets, and the ability to hold pipe fittings steady, while having good control of your hands to manipulate small objects. You will need to have good vision to thread fittings, read small gauges, and interpret blueprints. Some of the physical tasks and abilities required of plumbers include: Accessing Confined Spaces Applying Adhesives, Sealants, and Caulk Cleaning Sewer Lines Hand and Arm Strength Installing Appliances Like Refrigerators, Dishwashers, Water Softeners, and Water Heaters Installing Pipe Systems for Gas, Water, Steam, and Other Liquids Manual Dexterity Precision Tolerating Potentially Dangerous, Noisy, or Unpleasant Working Conditions Using Soldering Techniques Utilizing Tools to Assemble Components Welding Mechanical Know-How When dealing with water pressure, you must have an understanding of how plumbing systems work. Training for plumbing jobs is available from trade schools, community colleges, and on the job as an apprentice. Most states require a plumber to be licensed to practice on their own. Though requirements vary by location, two to five years of experience and successful completion of a test covering trade knowledge and knowledge of local code and regulations is usually necessary before a license will be issued. Mechanical know-how enables plumbers to perform activities such as: Applying Algebra Applying Geometry Applying Principles of Hydronics Choosing the Right Tools for the Job Fixing Leaking and Clogged Lines Installing Sinks and Faucets Interpreting Blueprints Mechanical Reasoning Performing Pressure Tests on Pipe Systems

What are the different plumbing services?

HOT WATER NOT COMING OUT OF YOUR SHOWER?

Though it’s often always pretty warm in Texas during the winter, the last thing you want is no hot water coming out of the shower! An immediate solution would be to check your water tank, which is where the hot water is being supplied from. Water heaters (or water tanks) are usually located in hidden places like your basement, attic, garage, or even a closet. FYI, the location of your water heater also affects how quickly the water in your house gets hot. While your water tank could be the most obvious reason for finding any issues with the water heating, it isn’t the only one. There are a few other things you can look at when trying to find the reason the water isn’t heating in your household. Quarter Moon Plumbing, AC & Heating has a few tips for you if hot water is not coming out of your shower. CHECK THE TEMPERATURE Sometimes, it’s the little things. While checking the temperature of the water heater may sound like a no-brainer, there are a few other things to consider. If you have an electric water heater, check for any elements that might have burned out; water will either heat for a short period of time or not heat at all if there is an issue. If you have an older model, the cold-water supply dip tube may have deteriorated. The dip tube allows for cold water to run down to the burner to heat it up. Instead of the cold water going to the burner for heating, it escapes into the hot water feed pipe. Thus causing cold water to come out. Make sure you check the temperature of your water heater to rule this factor out. WATER TANK, INSPECT IT! As previously mentioned, your water tank can be located in either your basement, attic, garage, or closet. After locating it, the first thing you want to check is the age and condition of your water tank. Like many appliances, water tanks are subject to wear and tear over time. A second thing to look out for is leaks and checking the connections. At times, the connections on your water heater may need to be tightened or sometimes may need to be replaced. Lastly, check the anode rode (which is a steel wire coated in either aluminum or magnesium which helps prevent the water tank from rusting) and look

Plumbing Company Sees Big Growth by Just Focusing on Customers

California couple grows company from home office to large facility and increases revenue with a customer-centric philosophy Interested in Residential Plumbing? Get Residential Plumbing articles, news, and videos right in your inbox! Sign up now. Before John and Devynn Thompson started Thompson Family Plumbing & Rooter in 2013 from their home in Hesperia, California, they sketched out a vision for the company that was based on easing typical pain points for plumbing customers. As a result, the company emphasizes a peace-of-mind approach that informs all aspects of its operations, ranging from crime-free and competent technicians and transparent pricing to thorough customer communications and adoption of new technologies that increase efficiency and productivity. “We do things differently here at Thompson Family Plumbing,” Devynn says. “Our mindset is that, no matter what, the customer is always right. We always want to be sure that at the end of their experience with us, they’re satisfied. “The way I see it from my end as a customer, a lot of contractors struggle because they fail to communicate,” she continues. “We go above and beyond to make sure customers have a full understanding of what we’re doing from the start — always consider things from their perspective and do things right the first time.” The couple’s efforts have paid off. Gross revenue has increased 300% since their first year in business. Furthermore, they now work out of a 4,500-square-foot facility instead of a home office, run several service trucks and employ nine technicians. Residential service and repair work generates about 80% of the company’s revenue, while commercial service and repair work produces the balance. Moreover, the couple reinforced that customer-centric philosophy by using community service as a marketing tool to build brand recognition and client loyalty. The company also made John and his eye-catching handlebar mustache and “geek-chic” glasses the face of the company; a caricature of John is emblazoned on the company’s service trucks and logo. “John is not allowed to shave off his mustache,” she says, noting that the company has posted a popular Snapchat photo filter that enables customers to see what they look like if they “wear” the mustache. “His mustache is kind of a theme for our company. “Social media also has really helped market our company,” she adds. “John is big on Instagram in the plumbing community — he has 20,000 followers.” CRIME-FREE TECHNICIANS A primary component of the company’s