A leaking water pipe under your house can cause excess damage, such as mold or mildew growth, and structural damage like deformations on floors and walls. If you notice any of these signs, it’s best to call a professional plumber to inspect your pipes and assess the damage. ...
Living in any area with substantial cold snaps in the winter, you’ll want to learn how to prevent pipes from freezing. Some homes have plumbing situated such that none of the pipes are in danger, but others are structured with bare pipes near exterior walls. You’ll want to choose the ...
pipes might run level, although some codes call for a slight slope toward the main drain. All drain lines must be sloped. For a precise slope, strike a level line on the studs and measure down ¼-inch per running foot. Note that codes might also call for fireproof caulking in walls....
effective measures to prevent plumbing pipe freezing, how to identify frozen pipes, and safe methods for thawing them.
5 Steps to Take Right Now All plumbing leak cleanup jobs start with the basics. Locate the problem, and fix the water leak. If the weather cooperates, open windows in the affected areas. Follow these five steps for cleaning up after a plumbing leak. 1. Document and Move If you plan on...
STEP 1:Allow 10 minutes for the water level to drop. Then, locate the water supply hose on the wall behind the toilet and turn the handle clockwise to close the valve. STEP 2:Examine the water level in the toilet bowl. Ideally, the water would be about halfway up the bowl. If the...
If you’re not sure what kind of pipes you have in your home, there’s a simple way to determine if yours are metal or PVC. Locate the area where the main line comes through the floor. This will be near the main shut-off valve. Check to see if the pipes are some type of metal...
The easiest way to locate where your sewer connects to the city is to call your local Water and Sewer department. Tell them you want to know where your sewer lines are located and they will send a locator to mark the approximate location of your underground pipes where they connect to the...
Locating frozen water pipes isn’t always easy, though. Here’s how to find a frozen pipe: Turn on all the faucets in your house. If there’s barely a trickle of water or no water at all, the pipe that leads to that faucet is probably frozen. Look in the obvious places first. ...
Estimated Cost: $0 to $35 Before You Begin It’s absolutely crucial that you locate andturn off the water at the main shutoff valvein your homebeforeyou start the thawing process. When apipe freezes, there’s a good chance that the expanding water will cause the pipe to burst. Once tha...