Reasons to Hire a Plumber
Plumbing involves the installation and maintenance of pipes, fixtures, appliances and other devices that convey water and sewage. It’s important to hire a plumber when you have plumbing issues, as they can save you money and prevent water damage.
When most people think of plumbing, they picture sinks, showers and toilets. But there’s a lot more to plumbing than that. Reach out to Plumbing Express, Inc. for expert assistance.
There is a chance you’ll need to shut off the water supply at some point, whether you’re preparing for a plumbing repair or you have an emergency like a burst pipe. Knowing how to do this can prevent costly water damage until a plumber can arrive at the scene.
First, you’ll want to close any open faucets in your house. This will allow any water in the pipes to drain out and lowers the pressure on the remaining water lines so you can work safely. Next, locate the main shut-off valve for your house. This is typically on the outside wall near the water meter, or it could be inside your home in a basement or crawl space. The valve itself will likely be a wheel or lever type that must be turned a quarter turn to the right to shut off the water. If you have a wheel valve, be careful not to use too much force as the handle can break easily.
You may also have one or more isolation valves for particular fixtures/appliances in your home, which can be helpful when working on a specific plumbing issue. If you have an older home, these may be porcelain handles that can only be turned a half turn to the right, or it might be a plastic handle with a round knob that needs to be rotated numerous times.
It’s a good idea for every family member (especially children) to know where the water shut off valve is located and how to turn it off. You can never know when a plumbing problem will strike, so it’s important that everyone knows what to do in an emergency.
Disassemble the Faucet
A leaking faucet is an annoying nuisance that can eventually damage your home’s plumbing and increase your water bills. You can often fix the problem yourself by turning off the water supply valves underneath the sink and removing the handle. This may require disassembling the faucet, so it’s a good idea to have the parts you’ll need on hand before you start working. You’ll also want to place a towel under the sink to prevent scratches on your cabinet and catch any dropped parts.
Close the water supply valves under the sink for the faucet you’ll be working on by turning them clockwise. You may also need to open the drains under the sink to release any water pressure and clear out any clogs. If you’re working on a bottom-mount faucet, you’ll have to loosen the tailpiece mounting nuts under the sink with a wrench or screwdriver. Once the nuts are removed, you can remove the faucet body from under the sink.
If your faucet is a cartridge or disk type, you’ll have to disassemble the handle to access the inner components. This usually involves unscrewing a set screw or removing a decorative cap from the handle base to expose the handle setscrew.
Once the screw is loose, lift off the handle. Then, remove the dome assembly under the handle and the metal handle adapter. Finally, remove the plastic pivot stop and the retainer nut by turning it counterclockwise with large slip-joint pliers. Once the nut is off, use the tip of a screwdriver to pry out the brass retainer clip and pull it the rest of the way out to avoid losing it.
Reassemble the Faucet
A dripping faucet not only wastes water and money, but it can also damage your pipes. Luckily, most drips are caused by simple issues like worn washers or gaskets that can easily be fixed. However, if you’re dealing with a leaky showerhead or bathtub faucet, it may be time to call in a professional plumber.
Signs that you may need to replace a faucet include a whistling sound when water is turned on or odd sounds like screching or chattering. These indicate that there is air in the system, which usually means the valve seat needs to be cleaned or replaced.
Some types of faucets, such as a ball or cartridge, do not use a washer to control water flow. Instead, the valve stem has a series of holes that align with a ceramic disc or metal cartridge insert to control water flow. Drips in these faucets are often the result of a defective cartridge or a worn washer that no longer creates a tight seal.
If you need to replace a cartridge, first remove the decorative cap from the faucet base and then unscrew the handle. The cartridge itself is held in place by a retainer clip, which you can usually remove with a pair of pliers. You can then unscrew the cap from the faucet base to reveal the valve seat, which you can then remove with a screwdriver.
After removing the valve seat, clean all parts with a damp cloth to remove any residue. Then, attach the new cartridge, ensuring it is properly aligned with the faucet body and screw it back into place. Reconnect the hot and cold water supply lines to the new faucet, using the same methods as you used when removing them. Finally, test your work by turning on the water and checking for any leaks.