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Many homeowners explore options for soundproofing their water and drain pipes. A second floor toilet's drain can make a lot of noise on the first floor when the toilet is flushed, for instance. Using insulation as a soundproofing material is not a good idea, as it is designed to be a thermal insulator, not an acoustic one. When deciding how best to insulate a drain pipe, there are a few key considerations you should keep in mind.
Recharging plumbing pipes after a fix will be required so that your appliances continue to work as they should. Recharge plumbing pipes after a fix with help from the president and owner of Source Development Inc. in this free video clip.
If you're partial to industrial-looking furniture, you can make an inexpensive and sturdy bed using old galvanized steel plumbing pipes. The key to doing it easily, without having all the pipes rethreaded so you can join them with conventional fittings, is to use clamp fittings that you secure with hex screws. If you use fittings of this type, you only need to cut the pipes to length, and you can do that yourself with a hacksaw or reciprocating saw. Galvanized pipes are strong, but to make sure your bed doesn't collapse, use pipe that is 1 inch or greater in…
Virtually every hardware store will have a vast array of PVC drain pipes to fit your plumbing project. A garbage disposal has two possible connecting points: the main drain pipe and the dishwasher drain pipe. The main drain pipe will always be connected, but depending on your needs, the dishwasher drain pipe may or may not be needed.
With so many fittings and pipes to choose from, building a pipe desk is a good beginner's do-it-yourself project, though you may want to do a bit of fine tuning to get your perfect fit. Before starting, try out other desks until you find one that feels comfortable for your size and needs, then measure it carefully. Use those measurements to tweak this average-sized desk as needed by purchasing longer or shorter pipes or having the pipes cut and rethreaded in the store to your custom lengths.
Porch and stair railings made from polyvinyl chloride require little maintenance and can withstand the abuse of the exterior elements. PVC is a nonporous, nonorganic material that is not affected by wood rot, mold or mildew, giving it the ability to last longer than its wooden counterparts. While the PVC spindles should last longer than wooden spindles, it could be necessary to remove the original spindles when making repairs.
The plumbing code has specific venting requirements for plumbing fixtures, because the consequences of poor venting can cause poor drainage and sanitation problems. Each plumbing fixture needs its own vent, but it isn't practical to provide a separate vent opening for each fixture on the roof. Consequently, all the vents connect at some point to a main vent stack. The code specifies how you should connect a sink vent to the main one.
Running Pex tubing to a toilet doesn't require years of experience as a contractor. Run Pex tubing to a toilet with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
When repairing toilet pipe, you're always going to want to shut off the main water valve first. Learn about toilet pipe repair with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
An aquarium chiller is a device used to maintain tank temperature below room temperature. Whereas an aquarium heater is used to heat tank water to accommodate tropical species of aquarium fish, an aquarium chiller is used to maintain low tank temperatures for cold-water species. Aquarium chillers come in a variety of shapes and sizes -- you can even make your own chiller if you so desire. Regardless, attaching the aquarium chiller to your tank requires little more than epoxy and PVC pipe.
Fixing a PVC plumbing pipe requires a PVC tube cutter, a repair coupling and a few other key tools. Fix a PVC plumbing pipe with help from a plumbing contractor with more than sixteen years of experience in this free video clip.
Fittings serve a key role in the world of plumbing. Basically, a fitting entails any joint used to join two lengths of pipe or pipe systems, or to terminate a pipe line. Fittings help pipe systems turn corners, split into multiple pathways and change sizes partway through a run. Fitting a coupling -- a common type of fitting -- over the lip of a copper pipe is a relatively simple process, provided you obtain the right coupling.
Pipes are used to build the piping systems that transport water to sprinklers, and pipe fittings are the pieces used to connect and redirect those pipes to one another. Pipes fittings used in sprinkler piping systems don't differ from fittings used in other piping systems. Instead, the size, shape and material of pipe fittings are dependent more on the pipes and the design of the piping system than the final destination of the transported water. Sprinkler pipe fittings are prone to rusting because of their proximity to moisture, which can be dangerous because rust weakens pipes and can cause leaks…
Washing machines take a lot of the time and effort of getting clothes clean out of your hands, but preparing a closet to house the appliances requires reconfiguring your plumbing. Piping water to and from a washing machine requires you to run supply lines to the back of the washer, and tapping into an existing drain line for the dirty water. Completing these tasks requires an advanced knowledge of plumbing systems and possibly a permit from your local building department.
The Water Rainbow is an after-market faucet for Jacuzzi brand hot tubs that directs incoming hot and cold water into a single flat ribbon shape. When the Water Rainbow is installed, holes are drilled in the side of the tub and piping and valves are connected. Correcting a leak in the Rainbow's plumbing involves finding the source of the escaping water and making the necessary repairs.
A sunken concrete wall can cause a number of issues with a structure, including leaking water. The primary method of repairing these issues is to jack the wall back into position. When jacking the wall upward isn’t possible, you can still repair minor issues, such as water leakage along the floor of the wall. Repairing the wall is a quick process, requiring you to fill in the crack with a water-resistant caulk that keeps the water at bay.
Gas pipes deliver natural gas into homes for fueling fixtures such as ovens, water heaters and furnaces. However, in some homes, old gas lines that are no longer in use can become stuck as the metal rusts. Removing these gas lines to make room for new ones may be an essential part of installing a new appliance that requires a gas supply. There are several ways to replace stuck gas pipes, so it's always best to start with the simplest procedures before moving on to more complicated options.
Grouting pipe involves installing cementitious material around the inside or outside surface of a submerged length of pipe to prevent or stop corrosion of the pipe and plug any existing holes. The process of grouting usually involves advanced equipment and complex procedures. For homeowners with large exposed pipes like culverts that run beneath driveways over drainage ditches, however, a relatively simple do-it-yourself solution to grouting exists.
Some kitchen and laundry sinks use a galvanized pipe between the sink and the P-trap. When making repairs to the sink basket it is necessary to lower and remove the galvanized pipe from the sink. Unlike PVC or thin metal drain pipe, galvanized pipe uses coupling nuts that require pipe wrenches to remove. Lowering a galvanized pipe under a sink also requires holding the pipe so it doesn't turn as you are removing the coupling nuts.
Galvanized-pipe greenhouses, also known as "hoop houses," are great additions to backyard gardens. Simple to build with the proper tools, these structures can range in size and complexity, depending on your needs. The shape helps shed water and snow -- and allows for considerably more headroom than a gabled greenhouse. Although building a galvanized-pipe greenhouse requires a few special tools, your garden's productive life will far outlast the first frost and provide fresh produce through much of the winter.
Dealership technicians often are required to attend to any and all requests for repairs. One of the categories for customer complaints is "leaks, squeaks and rattles." As silly as it may sound, these types of repairs can be a source of frustration for a technician. Duplicating the exact condition that reveals the fault can be an exercise in futility, if communications are misleading or confused. A clear description of the problem may be all that is needed for an accurate diagnosis. While the actual repair needed still may require the attention of a professional, relating the exact symptom eases the…
Through clean-burning natural gas, a gas fireplace produces heat and provides ambience in your home without the hassle of the wood-burning process or the inauthentic look of an electric fireplace. However, gas fireplaces are prone to their own problems. Old gas pipes may not be able to deliver enough fuel to keep your fireplace lit. Before you pay for an entirely new fuel delivery system, take steps to open up a fireplace's old gas pipes. Servicing gas pipes requires you to follow important safety procedures to prevent accidental fires and explosions.
Galvanized pipe is stainless steel pipe that has been covered with a second coating through electrical attraction. The bonded layer of metal, typically some sort of zinc alloy, protects the pipe from rust. While galvanized steel pipes can eventually rust as the coating wears out, they are still used in a number of pumping and plumbing systems, and are rated based on what type of pressures they can withstand.
Transite pipes are cement pipes that contain asbestos or other types of insulation. The addition of insulation to the cement makes the pipes stronger and longer-lasting. These pipes are typically used in irrigation applications or in older homes for waste lines. Like any other type of pipe, transite pipes can develop cracks or breaks over time, which can be repaired using a coupler. Adding a coupler to transite pipes allows you to repair the damaged section of pipe without having to dig up and replace the entire pipe, which can require special permits or equipment.
Commonly used to connect an appliance to a gas line, copper pipe is reliable and fairly easy to work with. Because the connection requires a few fittings, it's best to use a gas copper pipe kit that comes with all the necessary parts. Installing the copper pipe is safe because of the safety check you will conduct to ensure that you don't have any leaks.
Ductile iron pipe is the foremost pipe used in the water utilities industry, although this has not always been the case. In the United States and Canada in 2012, more than 600 water utilities still use cast iron pipe systems. Cast iron pipe's first recorded use was in 1455 in Siegerland, Germany. Nearly 200 years later, France's Louis XIV asked that a cast iron pipe system be constructed from a pumping station to his home in Versailles. Learn the differences of the two types of pipes by comparing their weight, composition, longevity and investment.
Plumbing nuts are sometimes used to join pieces of PVC pipe together, and they work for awhile. However, when repairs are needed, you may find the nut is stripped or rusted, making it difficult to remove. You can get stripper nuts and bolts free from pipes by using a couple tricks. If you can access both ends of the bolt, the nut should come off easily. If you can only access one end, try and push the bolt through to release it.
A rooftop HVAC -- heating, cooling and air conditioning -- unit is common for offices, schools and large commercial buildings that can use free roof space to save money when installing major air conditioning units. But if the gas furnace is also being installed on the roof, contractors need to install not only ductwork but also gas lines leading up to the top of the building. Key concerns with these lengthy gas lines focus on pressure and entry points into the heating unit.
A well point connected to a hand pump supplements residential water supply and provides homeowners a sufficient amount of water. If you notice a reduced flow of water from the well or water full of contaminants, you need to backflush it clean. Backflushing, or backwashing, is a process that improves water flow and removes accumulated debris, dirt and particles from the top and around the screen. The most common means of backflushing a shallow well point is through surging, a process that pumps water and contaminants in the well.
You go to water the plants out front and little more than a trickle drips from the hose. You load the washing machine and it takes forever to fill up. The problem may be low water volume. If you have low water flow in your home, there could be many different reasons. Most of the fixes are simple and do not require a plumber. Begin by checking the water pressure with a gauge, which costs about $10, and fits most exterior faucets.
Bringing water into a home does not always mean tying into a municipal water system. Homes in rural areas use a well for supplying the water needs for the entire house. To get the water from the well inside, you will need to install well pipe with the right fittings to prevent contaminating the well.
Insulating your dryer vent can be an important step in ensuring proper operation of the dryer and in preventing energy loss in your home. Approximately 6 percent of the home's heating and cooling energy is lost as a result of improper insulation of dryer vents, electrical outlets and other vents in the home, like those found in the bathroom, according to Insulation.com. Meeting minimum dryer insulation-thickness requirements can prevent this loss from occurring.
Shower fixtures eventually wear out and must be replaced. When working with copper water pipes, you must weld the replacement shower fixture valve in place. Be sure to purchase a high-quality replacement fixture to avoid having to replace it again within a few years. These fixtures get a lot of use in a busy household.
When local utilities carry out work on water mains or when hydrants are flushed, sediment and sand can enter your PVC supply lines. While this isn’t typically harmful to your health and most of this sediment is caught by faucet filters and water filtration devices, over time it can build up and present a problem. While it’s difficult to remove all sand from water supply lines, purging your pipes can remove the bulk of it and return your drinking water to its normal state.
Ford uses a positive crankcase ventilation valve on the 1990 F-150 series trucks. The PCV system routes crankcase pressure, consisting of blow-by gasses and partially unburned hydrocarbons, into the engine intake to prevent them from escaping into the atmosphere. Over time, the PCV valve clogs and stops functioning properly. Periodically check and repair the PCV system to maintain emissions standards and prevent over pressurizing the crankcase, which can damage or blow out seals and gaskets in the engine.
When installing a new gas appliance, replacement or redirection of existing gas lines may be necessary. This process often involves changing or replacing the elbow joint, as it typically determines the direction of the rest of the line. Always exercise proper precautions, as working with gas can be dangerous.
Water leaks inside the home can be incredibly frustrating. Even the smallest leaks can slowly rot floor joists, ceiling panels and drywall material. Leaks behind the wall and in the ceiling can be extremely troubling; it is hard to detect them with the eye. There are several tricks you can use to help you locate the source of a water leak behind the wall or in the ceiling without cutting large sections of building material out.
When you suspect a problem with a leaking pipe behind the drywall in your home, it’s time to investigate. The source of the leak may not be where the damage is visible, and you must track down the likely origin of the problem. This investigation may mean checking roof areas as well as upstairs bathrooms in hopes of finding a leak that is more easily accessible. If not, you will have to remove the drywall from the suspected source and replace it after repairing the plumbing problem.
Eaves are integral structures of your roofing system. They serve a number of functions, including protecting window and door structures, removing water from wall areas and providing thermal insulation. Leaking eaves generally indicate a problem with the roof or gutters on the house, and further investigation and repair is usually required. Ice dams, which are ice buildup in gutters and roof areas that prevents the flow of water from the roof, is a major cause of leaking from the eaves.
Galvanized steel has an increased resistance to rust compared to regular steel due to a zinc coating. Unlike rust-resistant alloys, such as stainless steel, the galvanized coating does not provide much protection if it gets damaged. Rusting can potentially occur on or near the bolts of a pipe coupling, greatly diminishing its strength. In addition, bolts can be damaged by extreme heat or mechanical damage. Replacing the bolt is the fastest, most economical solution for repairing a rusted or damage coupling bolt since actually repairing a bolt would cost more than the bolt costs to replace, take longer and is…
Floor toilet flanges may break no matter what they are made of, leaking water around the toilet until you either replace or repair the flange. The flange fits over the drainpipe in the bathroom floor, working in conjunction with the wax ring to keep the waste water from the toilet flowing down the toilet’s drain line. Installing a repair strap over the toilet’s flange fixes any damage and involves less work than installing a brand new flange.
PVC, the abbreviation for poly vinyl chloride, is used for many applications including plumbing and piping systems in the home. The pipe connects to kitchens, bathrooms and other areas of the home that use water, such as utility sinks and outside water lines. Making a PVC faucet requires only a few steps.
Copper material was once used to create most plumbing pipes. To decrease the chance of pipes corroding over time, a lot of new homes use PVC piping, which is a hard plastic material. For those with copper still in the home, it is possible that the piping has been in place for decades. Removing old copper pipes from a fixture is often a little tricky. Newer copper pipes aren't as stubborn and are typically undone with just a little elbow grease.
Condensers and evaporators are two specialized parts that must work properly to ensure your air conditioner runs smoothly. When your air conditioner is turned on, high pressured gas leaving the compressor enters the condenser where the gas is cooled and turned into a fluid. This fluid then makes its way into the evaporator unit where it evaporates. The pipes leading from the condenser to the evaporator must maintain an even temperature, thus you may insulate these pipes to ensure your air conditioner and all its parts continue to work properly throughout the summer and winter months.
Digging and pouring your own slab foundation is the best option for a do-it-yourself project. These foundations are inexpensive, and easy to dig, pour and maintain. There are many different variations of the slab foundation, but for a home project, the monolithic approach is the best. Keep in mind that slabs are for small houses only, usually one-floor ranch models. While you will not have a basement, you will have added stability.
The ice maker inside your Samsung RB215LASH refrigerator is connected to your home's plumbing via a supply line running from the bottom of the rear panel. Disconnecting the water pipe allows you to move the refrigerator to a new location or prepare the ice maker for a period of prolonged inactivity. With the water disconnected, only the power supply remains to be unplugged when it's time to pack up the refrigerator.
Galvanized pipes are made of strong steel. The process of galvanization aims to stop rust and the effects of age. However, a leak can occur over time in the pipe elbow, a connecting piece between two sections. You can temporarily fix the hole in the galvanized pipe elbow until the plumber arrives or until you can get the proper supplies to fix it yourself.
A vanity is the counter and sink assembly found in home bathrooms. Most modern homes come with vanities already installed. Over time, it's possible for the cabinets of the vanities to become separated from the wall or damaged in other ways. The idea of replacing a bathroom vanity can be intimidating, especially when a water pipe is connected to it. The process of changing a vanity does require knowledge of construction, but it can be completed in an afternoon.
The Frigidaire Gallery is a line of consumer front-loading washing machines. As you use the washer, you can experience performance problems, such as a leak. When you encounter a leak from the bottom of your washer, you can troubleshoot on your own to try to stop it.
The Bosch Logixx 8 uses a steam technology system, instead of just hot air, to dry clothes. This drying method removes wrinkles and folds from clothes during the drying process that hot air alone cannot. If a Bosch steam dryer leaks, it may be due to a number of possible issues.
