A Homeowners Guide to Plumbing

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A Homeowners Guide to Plumbing
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Tips, Tricks, and Guidance for the Basics of Home
Plumbing.

• In many ways, plumbing is the lifeblood of your
  home. Just think of all the things youre able to
  do by having plumbingyou can shower, use the
  washroom, brush your teeth, get a cold glass of
  water, get water for cooking, make ice cubesthe
  list goes on and on. Simply put, without a
  properly maintained plumbing system, living in
  your home would be a nightmare.
• A lot goes into maintaining your homes plumbing,
  however problems can arise that may require
  fixes. Some of these fixes you may be able to do
  on your own others will require hiring an
  experienced plumber to take on the job. Depending
  on the scope of the project, you may need to
  acquire permits from the city before beginning
  work.
• What follows is a basic homeowners guide to
  plumbing. Youll learn a little bit about some of
  the plumbing problems homeowners commonly face,
  tips for DIY plumbing, and a guide to hiring the
  right plumber.

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5 Common Home Plumbing Problems

• Plumbing problems are an inevitable part of
  being a homeowner. Plumbing issues occur in
  nearly every household, and as a homeowner, its
  important that you have at least a basic
  understanding of these issues so you can address
  them properly and prevent them from worsening.

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5 of the most common home plumbing problems
include

• Leaky pipesAll pipe leaks are serious and need
  to be addressed immediately. Whether a pipe is
  barely dripping beads of water or is gushing
  gallons, you have to fix the leak fast to
  minimize damage and prevent the leak from getting
  worse. The first step is to cut off the water
  flow, so that the leaking pipe doesnt get
  supplied with more water. You may be able to
  temporarily patch the leak until it can be
  repaired or replaced by a professional plumber.
• Vibrating pipesNoisy, vibrating pipes typically
  occur when there are air bubbles in the water
  line, due to air being pulled into the line from
  a small leak. If youre unable to locate the leak
  on your own, you should call a plumber to repair
  it.
• Clogged drainsSinks often get clogged with
  debris, causing water to back up and preventing
  proper drainage. There are many different DIY
  plumbing methods you can try to clear a clogged
  drain. Using a plumbers snake is a good first
  step for trying to loosen and eliminate the clog
  on your own. You could also try using a plunger
  to clear the drain. Thats rightplungers arent
  just for toilets, however, you should use a
  separate plunger for working on your sink. If the
  clog isnt responsive to either of these methods,
  it may be time to call a plumber.

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• Clogged toilets. The first step to fixing a
  clogged toilet is to use a plunger to see if you
  can force the clog to move through the trap. This
  may take a little bit of elbow grease but most
  clogged toilets can be remedied this way. In
  those instances where you are unable to unclog
  the toilet on your own, call a professional to
  get it repaired immediately as this could be a
  very serious plumbing issue.
• Gurgling drains and toiletHave you noticed air
  bubbles flowing back up into your toilet? Are the
  drains in your sinks or tub gurgling up water?
  This is typically a sign that the main sewer line
  is plugged or at least partially plugged. Youll
  need to call a plumber to snake the main line to
  fix the issue.

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DIY Plumbing Dos and Donts

• Homeowners never want to spend more on plumbing
  than is necessary. Thats why many of us try to
  fix common plumbing issues on our own.
• While DIY plumbing can save you some time and
  money, mistakes could actually exacerbate the
  issue and cost you even more money on repairs.

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Here are some simple DIY plumbing dos and donts
you should always follow.

• Do be preparedBeing prepared is essential to
  minimizing the damage caused by any plumbing
  issue that may arise. Its a good idea to keep
  some basic plumbing tools in your home tool kit
  to handle any minor issues that may pop up. Some
  good tools to own include a pipe wrench,
  adjustable wrench, plunger, a commercial drain
  cleaner, and an auger.
• Dont work beyond your comfort levelWhile you
  may be able to handle some basic tasks on your
  own, like fixing a clogged toilet or patching a
  leak, you dont need to try to tackle a project
  thats beyond your scope of knowledge and
  ability. Working beyond your comfort level could
  cause more damage, and in some cases, it may even
  lead to injury.
• Do protect yourselfMake sure you wear
  protective clothing when working on your homes
  plumbing. Depending on the project, you may need
  to wear protective eye wear and rubber soled
  shoes.
• Dont rush through the repairWe all want things
  to be fixed fast, but when you rush, you make
  mistakes. Its always better to work slowly, so
  you can stay safe and avoid making any silly,
  costly mistakes. Also, you should always double
  check your work before finishing up. This will
  help prevent any simple oversights or costly
  mistakes.
• Do shut it offMake sure you turn off the water
  before you begin work on your plumbing. If you
  are dealing with electrical, always turn off the
  power.
• Dont let pride prevent you from calling a
  plumberSometimes, you just dont have the skills
  or knowledge to repair a plumbing problem.. Dont
  hesitate to call in a professional for tasks you
  simply cant handle on your own.

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Tips for Hiring the Right Plumber

• Not all plumbers are created equal. Finding the
  right plumber is essential to ensuring the job
  gets done right the first time.

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Here are some things you should look for when
hiring a plumber.

• ExperienceMake sure you choose a reputable
  plumbing company that has been in business for an
  extended amount of time and that has a proven
  track record of offering reliable service. You
  should also inquire about the companys hiring
  standards to verify that all of their plumbers
  have ample experience and proper training.
• ReferencesAsk the plumbing company youre
  considering hiring for references. If they dont
  have references, search the web for consumer
  reviews. You can use websites like Google and
  Yelp to read real consumer reviews of plumbers in
  your area. This will give you better insight into
  the quality of service a company provides.
• Guaranteed workThe best plumbers will stand
  behind their work and guarantee it gets done
  right. Inquire about any warranties or guarantees
  provided on materials and workmanship. If the
  work cant be guaranteed for an acceptable period
  (usually about one year), you should consider
  hiring someone else.
• ProfessionalismPlumbers should respect your
  home, show up on time, and treat you with the
  courtesy you deserve.
• Affordable pricesMake sure youre being charged
  a fair rate for the job.

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• These are just a few helpful tips for getting
  you started in dealing with your homes plumbing.
  We hope youve found this guide informative, and
  we encourage you to share it with others who
  could benefit from this information.

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• For an experienced plumber, to help you with all
  your plumbing needs, call the experts at Mr.
  Rooter Plumbing 470 King Street West 255,
  Oshawa, ON L1J 2K9 [phone].