6 Simple Steps to Repair a Leaky Faucet

A leaky faucet often indicates a problem with one of the parts being worn out. How you go about repairing the faucet depends on where it drips and the mechanical makeup of your faucet. You have four main types of faucets that will depend on compression, disc, cartridge, and mechanism.

Before you attempt to fix a leaky faucet, you should first determine the type of faucet to understand how you go about fixing it. Here are some of the tools you will need before starting:

If you have a widespread faucet there are usually decorative covers over the valves. Most times there is a fine thread on the valve assembly so attempt to unscrew the trim piece. ÿBeneath each knob, you will find a screw that mounts the handle to the stem. You will unscrew the handle and gently remove the handle. Sometimes the faucet handle will not come off the stem easily. Spray the WD-40 on this part to loosen it.

After you have loosened the packing nut, you should see the stem. You want to take this part off all. At this point, different faucets will diverge in how you deal with them. For example, you have some stems that pop off while others will twist from the valve. Remove everything gently. You want to skip over the possibility of damaging the parts because this could exasperate a leaky faucet problem.

If your faucet is under 25 years old it has a cartridge. After turning it on and off for 25 years the seats are probably worn out. Attempt to pull the cartridge straight out using a set of channel locks pliers. Sometimes these cartridges are tough to remove because scale has built up and locked them in place. Give the cartridge a slight wiggle while pulling and it should eventually work itself out. If you can?t remove call a plumbing professional. There are cartridge removal tools available.

Replacement washers and O-rings.

Replacement washers and O-rings.
Adjustable wrench.
Philips screwdriver.
WD-40.

O-ring.

Stem.

O-ring.
Stem.
Packing nut.
Screw.
Handle.

At this point, everything should remain together. Look at the washer and the O-ring inside of the valve seat. Many times, this part causes leaks when damaged, or the seal starts to wear off. You will remove the washer and replace it with the new washer.

You will also want to replace the O-ring because many times this component experiences damage. Before replacing your O-rings and washers, first, check to see if it fits right. When unsure of either, look at the seat to check if the sides will fit with the flat washer. You may have to buy a more appropriate size.

For those with problems finding the right sized O-ring, instead, take it to the hardware store to get an exact fit. For those unsure about this, check the seat and see if the sides will fit the cone shape. Then you can buy the appropriate O-ring. Instead of taking an old O-ring to the hardware store, you can also opt out of that to buy a variety of different sized O-rings in a package. It does cost a couple of extra bucks, but it will be worth every penny to get the size needed.

Once you have the parts, you will need to reassemble them. It will be done in this order when putting it back together:

Tips and Troubleshooting

After you have taken apart and reassembled your faucet, you will want to check to see the faucet no longer drips. If it does, the cause could be deeper than a busted O-ring. In many cases, the next possibility lies in corrosion with the valve seat.

This happens when it remains dirty over time and eventually produces a leak closer to the spout of the faucet. If that fails to fix your leaky faucet, other potential problems include loose parts, worn-out seals or broken plumbing. If you have tried these things without success, it might be time to hire the big guns and call a plumber.

Putting It All Together

When this happens, you will have to identify where the water enters the home to shut it off. Keep in mind, when you shut off the water valve, an entire residence will cry out for the lack of water. Nevertheless, it sometimes becomes necessary during a repair.

This post first appeared on http://www.theplumbinginfo.com

We’re reaching the final days of January, but this doesn’t mean that it’s too late to get the ball rolling on some of your New Year’s resolutions. It’s not always about how you start. How you finish is just as important. If one of your goals is to keep your home clean and functioning, then make sure that you’re taking care of plumbing in Orlando, FL. 

One of the best ways to do this is with drain cleaning. Today, we want to take the time to answer common questions and give you the best advice surrounding this service. We’re professionals you can trust because of our reputation. We’re known for our exemplary service. 

What You Need to Know About Drain Cleaning

So let’s start from the beginning–what exactly is drain cleaning?

Professional drain cleaning is when plumbing technicians use specialized tools to remove buildup from your drains. Here on our team, we like to hydro jet. Hydro jetting uses a high-powered stream of water into your drain to get the buildup off of the sidewalls. This is going to get rid of things that cause build-up like coffee grounds, fat, oils, and grease. It’s going to get rid of current clogs, help prevent future ones, and keep your pipes in great shape throughout the entire process. 

Why Drain Cleaning Helps Long-Term

Now you may wonder how drain cleaning helps long-term. We mentioned it above, but we’ll get into the details here.

Of course, drain cleanings are something you should call for if you’re experiencing a clog. Drain cleanings are also something you should invest in on a routine basis even when there isn’t a glaring issue with your plumbing. 

Routine cleanings are great because they get rid of all the little things that add up to poor plumbing. Mild things like soap scum buildup or hair in your shower drain can cause poor drainage that many people just deal with. Routine cleanings ensure that you’re never “dealing with” anything. 

Routine cleanings help prevent future clogs and extend the lifespan of your plumbing system as well. It does this by clearing away the subtle problems we mentioned above. This clears build-up and gives you a better chance to avoid preventable clogs in the future. Our pros will make this easy for you with their high-quality service. 

Why Drain Cleaning Is Always Better Than Chemical Drain Cleaners

One thing we want to leave you with is the importance of avoiding chemical drain cleaners. Chemical drain cleaners are no good. We understand how it might seem like a good idea to go to your local store, grab a chemical drain cleaner off the shelf, and then pour it down the drain. The problem with chemical drain cleaners is that they really don’t clean well. Chemical drain cleaners are actually caustic. They’ll eat away at your clog but these also corrode your pipe itself. This is why you should invest in professional service.

Professional service is sure to get rid of your clog and leave your pipe in perfect condition. 

Contact Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. for your drain cleaning in Orlando, FL.

This post first appeared on https://www.modernpi.com

Sure, we know that in the immediate aftermath, having a family friend check on your furnace system when something is wrong could seem like the cheapest solution. While we’d beg to differ when you look at the long term, we understand that in the short-term those kinds of repairs will always be cheaper. However, they will never be safer.

We understand that you might have a buddy who is a volunteer firefighter, or even a scientist at the nearby University, but that doesn’t mean they’re especially well-equipped to provide a furnace safety inspection the right way. These are complex systems, and when something is going wrong you need professional furnace repair in Caldwell, NJ to ensure that there are no safety issues cropping up.

Let’s focus on three reasons why professional furnace repairs will always be the safer option when compared to DIY or amateur fixes.

Burners Need to Be Treated With Care

Firstly, in order for a furnace repair to go smoothly, the burners need to be treated with care. This is not something that everyone who knows a thing or two about furnaces will inherently identify. Burners are responsible for actually burning the fuel that comes into the combustion chamber and turning it into heat. With improperly handled burners, they could get dirty or broken, and you could start seeing a build-up of gas inside the system.

When a professional handles your furnace repair, you can rest assured that they’ll keep the burners in good shape and might actually clean them to ensure they work safely and properly. These are some of the most sensitive components of a furnace and they should never be handled by amateurs.

The Heat Exchanger Must Be Kept Safe

The heat exchanger is a delicate component. It’s responsible for separating the combustion gases that come from burning fuel, from the clean air of your home that needs to be kept safe. When a crack develops in the heat exchanger, you could see an influx of natural gas, smoke, or carbon monoxide entering your home’s breathable air which is absolutely a safety concern.

Professionals are trained to spot issues with heat exchangers. Not only that, professionals will never accidentally bump or break the heat exchanger for whatever reason, which is something that an amateur could do.

Vents and Exhaust Must Be Kept Clear

Where do those exhaust fumes go after they’re created through the burning process? They need to be vented out of your home of course! Sometimes your ventilation and exhaust systems could have problems, and an amateur might not have the tools to address them correctly. This could mean that they end up accidentally breaking or clogging up your exhaust vent which is a huge safety problem, as the exhaust will have nowhere to go but back into your home.

Professionals know these systems to the point where they will never jeopardize your home’s health and safety with unreliable service. Pros from our team treat vents and exhaust ports with complete care.

Contact MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. to have your furnace system safely repaired.

The post Professional Furnace Repairs Are the Safest Option first appeared on MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc..

This post first appeared on https://margoplumbing.com

Incorporating Universal Design Into the the Bathroom Shower

ÿ

Universal design addresses the need to create living spaces, including the bathroom shower that are accessible to anyone, regardless of their age or physical ability.ÿAccording to the AARP, one in four Americans will be 65 or older by the year 2020. Additionally, 56 million Americans, or approximately 19 percent of the US population, reported having some sort of disability on the 2010 census. These statistics demonstrate the growing need for spaces that comply with universal design standards, and with an increasingly aging and disabled population, it is imperative that designers, architects and plumbers adhere to universal design guidelines in order to accommodate everyone?s needs.

Hansgrohe makes a product called a ?FixFit? wall outlet. When strategically placed and installed with a handshower, it puts the control of the water closer to the bather, something that is vital for individuals who are unable to stand up in the shower. Mounting the FixFit wall outlet closer to the seating area puts the handshower at a height that can be comfortably reached. For care-givers who need to multi-task when caring for individuals in the shower, the handshower can be turned on and off in a pinch, further streamlining the bathing process for both parties.

Hansgrohe?s Raindance Select E 120 AIR Green 3-Jet Handshower is an excellent option for those looking to
incorporate universal design in their homes. The handshower is easily removed from its stationary wall mount and can be paired with an accessible wall outlet, letting individuals with limited mobility easily and independently bathe themselves.ÿIn addition, the Raindance Select offers its users the opportunity to choose between three different spray settings (RainAir, Rain and WhirlAir) by clicking theÿergonomicallyÿplaced ?Select? button. Conventional hand showers require the user to grasp and rotate the spray face when changing settings. Those with limited range of motion in their hands and fingers will find that changing the spray settings by pushing a button is easier and more comfortable to use.

For more information, please visitÿhttp://www.universaldesign.com, a website that is dedicated to providing free access to universal design information.

This post first appeared on http://www.theplumbinginfo.com

The bidet has been around for centuries, but it’s never quite taken off in American households. However, that may be changing (even though it took a pandemic to do it). So, let’s take a look at bidet history, why it’s growing in popularity across the United States, and how it stacks up against good ol’ TP.

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This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com

How Toilets Work

No item in the American household is more ubiquitous than the modern commode or toilet. Perhaps no one item must be more immediately repaired if made non-functional to keep the home habitable. We will be identifying the 11 most common toilet tank parts. Should the need ever arise, you will be able to diagnose the problem with your toilet, identify the part requiring placement, and proceed with the required repairs ? thus saving time, money and aggravation.A plumber showing up to replace just one or two toilet tank parts will cost you at least $$. The price of those toilet tank parts could be as little as a few dollars. Having a plumber show up to replace those same parts at night, on weekends, or holidays, you can expect that price to double.

The operation of a toilet is somehow simple, yet complex. The function of the bowl, tank, flanges, fillers, rings, nuts, and levers work in unison to create the swirl and the flush to sweep waste from your house. The typical flush cycle actually works something like this:

One thing to keep in mind is that the actual toilet tank parts will vary in different commodes and new parts may have different designs incorporated into them. Regardless, there is enough commonality and interchangeability that repairs with different parts than original are possible and even commonplace.

The flush cycle starts with pushing the flush lever which is mounted on the reservoir. This pulls the chain attached to the flapper valve and gravity causes the water in the tank to flow through the siphon and through the rim holes and into the bowl flushing away the waste. The mass of the water leaving the tank is sufficient, that as it travels the S-bend, it creates a siphon which evacuates the contents of the bowl into the main drain.As the water in the tank leaves, the float valve inside falls, activating the fill valve which opens to let pressurized water back into the reservoir tank. The flapper valve then falls back to the bottom closing the valve. As the water level moves back, the fill valve switches off and the cycle is complete and ready to repeat as necessary.ÿ

water level moves back, the fill valve switches off and the cycle is complete and ready to repeat as necessary.

image by pixabay

The flapper is the barrier between the siphon and bowl and the reservoir tank. It is activated by the flush lever pulling the metal chain attached to it.

The flapper valve sits in this seat which provides a seal so that water does not leak from the tank past the flapper valve.

The flush lever is what activates the flush cycle by being depressed and pulling the metal chain which pulls the flapper valve away from the flush valve seat, allowing water to rush by.

1. Flapper valve

The fill valve has a plastic float surrounding it filled with air and as the water leaves the reservoir, the buoyant float drops down the body of the fill valve activating the valve which is under pressure. As the reservoir tank fills, the plastic float returns toward the top and then disengages the fill valve cutting off the flow when the proper water level is reached.

11 Toilet Tank Parts You Should Know About

This tube travels from the fill valve to the overflow tube.

The refill tube clip is attached to the refill tube and clips it in place on the overflow tube.

Common Problems and Repairs

The overflow tube serves as an open drain pipe should anything go wrong in the tank which would lead to an overfill situation and drains any water above the overflow tube directly away.

This post first appeared on http://www.theplumbinginfo.com

You head into your shower on a chilly winter morning, turn the handle over to the right, and hop under the stream of water expecting warmth. The unpleasant surprise is that you’re met with cold, chilly water raining down on you. This doesn’t make for a pleasant morning. Now you know that you have a plumbing problem that you need to handle as soon as possible.

When you need plumbing service, we’re the team who can help you with your water heater in Paradise Valley, AZ. If you’re struggling with cold water, we’re here to help you figure out exactly what’s going on today.

The Cause of Your Water Heater’s Cold Water

There are quite a few reasons why your water heater might start producing cold water. Here are a few of the most relevant reasons.

Mineral Build-Up

If you’ve talked to a professional about water heater troubles in the past, then you’ve probably heard about mineral build-up. It’s something that plagues water heaters that aren’t routinely serviced. Mineral build-up occurs because of the natural mineral level that exists in the municipal water supply. These minerals naturally deposit over time and calcify as the water heats and cools. This is what creates mineral build-up. If there’s enough of it in your hot water tank, it can actually prevent hot water from getting to you easily. This results in you feeling cool water from your faucets.

A Bad Heating Element

Electric water heaters have a heating element that kicks off the entire process. If your heating element begins to degrade, it will have trouble actually performing its job. You might notice the temperature of your water cool down and dip over time. Put the replacement of this part into the hands of professionals: we’re the only ones who can guarantee satisfactory results. 

A Broken Thermostat

One reason that you might run into cold water is a broken thermostat. Most water heater thermostats keep the water between 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The setting within this range typically depends on the needs of your home. Although this is where the setting should lie, it is possible for things to go wrong and get off track. 

If you notice that your thermostat setting has dipped below the 120 mark, then you can turn it back up. If you keep running into the problem of it dipping below this mark, then it’s time to contact a professional. There’s something wrong with your thermostat and we can help you fix it. 

The Importance of Professional Service

We know just like you know that plumbing problems are no quick fix. When your water heater can’t deliver, our team members will be there to fix it. We’re able to do this because we understand the ins and outs of water heater service. You can rely on us to fix anything that’s gone wrong. 

We’ll also be by your side for maintenance and replacement services. Water heater maintenance is vital whether you have a tank or tankless model. We can also help you choose a new unit when you’re ready to upgrade.  

Contact The Trusted Plumber to schedule an appointment for water heater service.

This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com

It’s a new year, and for some people, that means it’s time for a new look (for their bathroom and kitchen, that is). If you’re in the market for a bathroom or kitchen remodel in Sacramento, California, you may be interested in some of the hottest trends. Of course, some of these looks are also timeless, so they’ll look just as good in your home 50 years from now as they will tomorrow. So, let’s get to the looks!

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This post first appeared on https://www.thetrustedplumber.com