Plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, bathtubs, and shower receptors, are crucial for proper water and waste management in homes and commercial buildings. They also play an important role in interior design.
While it may be tempting to perform DIY plumbing installation projects, there are many reasons why you should leave the job to professional Cleveland Ohio Plumbers. Here are a few of them:
Pipes
Your pipes are responsible for transporting water throughout your home. They can be made of a variety of materials, but are generally constructed to withstand constant use and exposure to the elements. On a daily basis, you shower, wash dishes, flush the toilet and much more, all with the help of your pipes. This is why it’s important to take the time to maintain your plumbing systems.
Plumbers are often called to repair or replace broken pipes. However, a few preventative maintenance tips can help keep your pipes in good condition. Insulating your pipes, keeping a trickle of water running at all times and using a water softener can all contribute to less frequent plumbing issues and lower utility bills.
The most common type of pipe found in homes is PVC. This durable, flexible plastic is commonly used for drain lines and water supply lines. PVC pipes can be easily shaped and bent to fit into tight spaces, making them a popular choice for plumbers. PVC is also resistant to corrosion and can withstand high temperatures, which makes it an ideal choice for hot and cold water applications.
Another type of pipe plumbers often use is PEX. This newer innovation in plumbing is better suited for hot and cold water applications than its predecessors, and it can handle more pressure as well. Like PVC, PEX is easy to work with and is available in a wide range of sizes and colors. In addition, plumbers can easily identify PEX pipes by their color-coded markings — blue for cold water and red for hot water.
Copper pipes remain a popular choice for many plumbing projects. They can withstand high levels of pressure and have a beautiful aesthetic that many homeowners prefer. However, they tend to be more expensive than their plastic counterparts. Additionally, copper pipes require more maintenance than other types of pipes to ensure they don’t corrode.
If you hear banging and gurgling sounds in your plumbing system, chances are there is trapped air in the pipes. This can cause a number of problems, including slow water flow, reduced pressure and even clogged pipes. To avoid this issue, be sure to regularly clean your gutters and drain traps. Also, make sure that Q-tips and other items not meant to be flushed are kept out of your toilets.
Fittings
There is a vast array of fittings available to plumbers for connecting and redirecting pipe lines. Many fitting designs are used primarily for pressurized systems, but some are also suitable for low-pressure or non-pressurized setups. Most are created from steel, brass, or chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) and come in a range of sizes and shapes. Some can even alter the size of a pipe’s diameter.
A nipple is a short stub of pipe, typically male-threaded, that connects to other fittings or pipes. Close nipples are threaded on both ends, while open nipples have only one end. A reducing bushing is similar to a close nipple, but has one or more threads of different sizes. A double-tap bushing is a special form of reducing bushing, with two ports in a circular shape, often with hex heads to accommodate a wrench.
Pipe and fittings are usually joined using either clamps or soldering techniques. The latter involves heating and melting a chemical compound that partially dissolves the adjacent surfaces of piping and a fitting to create a permanent bond. This method is often used with copper supply pipes in older residential systems, but crimping technologies are rapidly replacing soldering as the preferred means of joining PVC and other types of plastic piping.
Clamps, which require no melting, join pipe and fittings by compressing a rubber sleeve around the joint. These sleeves are then secured with stainless-steel worm drive clamping bands that create an optimum seal to prevent leaks and breakages. Most commonly used with plastic piping, these clamps can also be installed on copper systems.
Some plumbing fixtures are also fitted with a gasket that’s encased within a coupling housing. When the coupling is in place, a groove in the pipe and an inset gasket engage each other to provide a tight fit. A wrench or socket can then be used to tighten the bolts and nuts that secure the coupling and pipe together.
Whether it’s for the bathroom, kitchen or any other area in your home, there’s much to consider when choosing plumbing items. The color and style of tapware, for example, can significantly affect the look of a room and add or subtract from your property’s value. For this reason, it’s a good idea to rely on professional advice when it comes to choosing these and other fittings.
Valve
Valves are devices that regulate, direct or control the flow of gasses, liquids, fluidized solids or slurries by opening, closing or partially obstructing various passageways. They can also serve to change pressure in a system. Although technically valves are a type of fitting, they’re generally discussed as a distinct category due to their unique operation and the variety of styles available to target specific plumbing needs.
A common valve style is the quarter-turn valve, which features a pivoting ball with a hole drilled through it that, when turned either parallel or perpendicular to the direction of flow, opens and closes the passageway. These are simple, compact and easy to use, making them ideal for applications where precision isn’t a high priority.
Another common valve is the gate valve, which features a small flap inside that is normally open to allow water and sewage to exit your home while keeping them sealed from backflow. These are typically found in toilets, but can also be installed under sinks to help prevent flooding during a sewer backup. When the flap is opened by gravity, it allows the water and sewage to flow freely while the valve closes when a flush occurs.
Pressure control valves are designed to stabilize pressure and reduce that screaming noise caused by a buildup of pressure known as “water hammering.” These are often installed at major water lines to ensure a constant pressure throughout the system, which helps to prevent leaks and other problems.
Sweat valves are a special type of valve used to connect copper pipes. They are soldered or “sweated” onto the pipe, and they can be removed for maintenance or repairs without shutting off the entire system. This makes it possible to work on a particular area of the house or business without interrupting the water supply to the whole building.
Other types of valves include multi-turn, butterfly and rotary valves, each with its own unique operation. Multi-turn valves are operated by cranking a handle that moves a plug, plate, membrane or other controlling device into place to open or close the passage. Butterfly valves feature a spinning action that renews and polishes seating surfaces, which helps to prevent the wear that is commonly seen in other types of valves.
Fixture
Plumbing fixtures connect to the pipe system and help to deliver and drain water. They include faucets, sinks, toilets, showers and bathtubs. They’re typically designed for a specific purpose and come in a wide variety of styles, materials, finishes and prices. Because they are exposed to water on a regular basis, they need to be made of durable materials that resist corrosion and other damage.
Fixtures also need to have shut off valves or angle stops installed on the water supply line that leads to them. This is so that the water flow can be stopped if a fixture needs to be repaired or replaced. A plumber can install these on the supply line or at the fixture itself.
Sinks and faucets should be checked regularly for leaks. Leaks can occur in the faucet handles, aerators, spout or drains and should be repaired right away. A dripping or leaking faucet can waste water and money. If you hear banging or whistling noises coming from your pipes, this is a sign that the piping system has a leak.
Other signs that your plumbing system may have a leak are high water bills and unexplained drops in water pressure at home. You might also notice wet spots on the floor or walls. If you shut off all of the water fixtures in your house and see that your water meter is still spinning, this could be a sign of a hidden leak in the piping system.
If you only experience low water pressure with certain fixtures in your house, it might be time to replace them. Old and damaged fixtures can reduce your water pressure significantly.