Before you do any DIY plumbing repair or project, you need to know some basic safety precautions. These include legal requirements for plumbing installations and general tool safety tips. And because plumbing work involves dealing with pipes, you also need to know what is in the pipe. Is it sewage? Or pressurized water? And the possible consequences of those actions. Do Plumbing the safe and smart way begins with thinking about what you need to do next. Take some time to consider what is in the pipe or if turning off the water first can make a difference between finishing simple plumbing project to causing a costly plumbing disaster. Think before you open the drain – before you remove a cleanout or separate drain parts, ask yourself first if it is possible that the contents of the pipe is going to drain in your direction. Drains are not usually under pressure however a clog in a drain can create significant pressure because of gravity and the weight causing the clog. Several plumbers have their own horror stories to share about opening a cleanout in a basement and triggering a firehouse effect of gushing sewage. Shut Off The Water – In case there is a possibility that your work will involve a water supply, turn off the water just to be safe. In some cases, what might appear as a decorative knob or cap actually suppresses pressurized water. You do not want to have to look for it in a panic. Be Informed – Check all necessary local building as well as Florence plumbing codes before you begin any significant plumbing project. You should know what you can do on your own and what type of work requires a professional. Obtain a permit if it is needed for your plumbing project. Protect Your Eyes – you have to wear safety glasses if you are doing plumbing work. There are some tasks like using a reciprocating saw or a drill, hammering, working under the sink while looking up, and even snaking a drain can damage your eyes. You also have to be aware of the possibility of contaminants like drain gunk or sewage splashing into your eyes. Protect Your Hands – Don't forget to protect your hands by wearing work gloves. Your hands will be coming in contact with various kinds of chemicals and materials when taking on plumbing projects, and by using gloves, you will be able to prevent injuries. When utilizing a drain machine of any type, it is recommended to wear latex gloves underneath the leather gloves so you will have protection against the germs that are commonly found in drain lines. Protect Your Lungs – you should always use a face mask when needed to protect your lungs. If your project involves sanding or sawing, you have to take extra precautionary measures by using disposable face mask so you won't inhale dust particles. Practice Tool Safety – always exercise caution when you are using power tools, and be sure to follow the instructional manual provided by the manufacturer. When you drill large holes for pipes using a powerful ½ inch drill, you need to take extra precautions because this is a common hazard for plumbing work. You need to make sure that the cutter or drill bit won't bind while you are using it. In case the bit stops, the drill will continue working. Additionally, be extra careful when soldering or utilizing any heat on pipes, particularly on the wall or close to any insulation. Utilize a heat shield to safeguard surrounding combustible materials whenever you are working with a soldering torch. Read labels – you should read instructions and labels all the time especially when working with machines or chemicals. Stick to the recommendations at all times. Be sure to check the warning labels on the equipment and products that you will use. You should also know what you have to do in case an emergency happens. Don'ts Plumbing may seem simple but it is actually very complicated. So the general rule of thumb is to never rush into thins. Consider every phase of your plumbing project and be sure that the plan works before you begin tearing into your pipes or removing the fixtures. Ignore code requirements – building and plumbing codes are set in place for your protection, everybody in your household, as well as the general public, so they must never be ignored. For instance, leaving out a basic vacuum breaker, which is a common code requirement, in a water supply line could most likely result in the contamination of the public drinking water. Ignore the odor of gas – if you suspect a possible gas leak or smell natural gas, stop whatever it is that you are doing immediately. In case it is safe to do so, switch off the gas, and contact your gas company right away. Never try to find the gas leak on your own. Cut blindly – before you drill or cut anything into a ceiling, wall, or floor cavity, you should know what is behind the surface. Cavities usually conceal electrical wiring, plumbing pipes, as well as ductwork, and several other things that you wouldn't want to drill into. Use tools and equipment incorrectly – you should use equipment and tools for their intended purpose only. Incorrectly using them can lead to injury or damage to the tool or equipment. Those that are poorly maintained can also pose a safety hazard. Be sure to check all your things to make sure that they are all in good condition before using them. Call Plumbing Experts Florence if you need the assistance of an expert residential plumber.Plumbing Experts Florence
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Repairing or upgrading your plumbing system can be a confusing and daunting task because of the many types of pipes you might encounter. They can all blend together but which are the best ones for your system? The answer isn't as clear as it was before when the selections were still limited. To help you make an informed decision, provided below are the primary types of plumbing pipes that you will encounter during a home remodel. PEX PEX is a flexible and color-coded plastic pipe that work well as water supply lines, which DIYers commonly encounter. This type of pipe is easy to use as well as easy to cut and join. PEX is known to yield to logic and DIYers can easily create 90-degree curves with it. This type of pipe is a no-brainer when it comes to DIY plumbing projects. PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride PVC pipe has taken the plumbing industry by storm over the last few decades. It is a plumbing material that is lightweight and easy to work with compared to the conventional galvanized steel pipe. You will most likely use the PVC pipe for waste or drain pipes, or stacks, which are the pipes you see on the roofline. PVC pipes are easy to work with. Its installation is easy and the tools you will need include a milter box, hacksaw, as well as solvents that will “glue” the pipes together. Diameters are evidently indicated on the pipe's white surface. In case it is not visible, you can determine the diameters using a sizing tool like the Pi-Piper. Rigid Copper The rigid copper is your water supply line. You can use a hacksaw, Skilsaw, or a specialized copper tube cutter to cut rigid copper. However, the connection is a different issue because it needs an experienced hand to solder the copper pipe together. It is recommended to have extra copper pipes that you can practice on. The rigid copper pipe is also ideal for water supply since it doesn't carry the health risks that are commonly associated with PVC. ABS ABS pipes resemble PVC pipes. The primary difference is that the ABS pipes are available in black colors. They are the older version of PVC pipes and are usually no longer allowed to be used according to specific plumbing codes. Just like PVC, ABS pipes are commonly used for vent and drain pipes. When working with ABS, it is highly recommended to have it replaced with PVC. Flexible Copper Tubing Flexible copper is ideal for short runs. You may have seen it connected to your water heater or perhaps for cold water supply in tight spots. This type of tube can be easily cut using a hacksaw. It can also be bent and used around corners. Since it is not that resistant against extreme temperatures, it is not ideal to use this type of people for exterior use. Galvanized Steel Galvanized steel is extremely popular. It is made up of galvanized steel, with both ends of the pipe threaded. Each pipe is screwed to each other using connecting joints. Although it is extremely durable, galvanized pipe is hardly used for the Florence plumbing system of a new home construction. It is also not recommended for DIYers to run new lines with it. Cast Iron There are still several homes that have older cast iron pipes. Despite its old and worn out appearance, cast iron can still be used up until it rusts completely through. Call Plumbing Experts Florence for all your plumbing needs.Plumbing Experts Florence A residential plumbing is comprised of a complicated system of fixtures and pipes that work together to offer clean water, safe and effective disposal of wastes, and a lot more. Since a plumbing system involves public and home safety, its design is strictly monitored by building codes, and plumbers are licensed, regulated, and credentialed as well to guarantee proper workmanship. This doesn't imply that you can't do your own plumbing. As a matter of fact, you will find a lot of guides and step by step instructions for various DIY plumbing jobs online. However, plumbing skills, knowledge, and the right tools are essential to the success of any plumbing project. In case you do not have the right tools for the job or perhaps the time, experience, and fortitude to get the job done correctly, then it is best to hire a plumber. However, you can just hire any plumber. You need the right plumber, one who will do the job correctly, safely, and affordably to prevent the project from becoming a costly disaster. Once you've found the best plumber, always keep his number handy. You'll eventually realize that doing so will help you a lot especially in cases of plumbing emergencies. When hiring a professional plumbing contractor like those from Plumbing Experts Florence, your task involves finding the best one and oversee the workmanship quality. Here are a few things you need to know. Qualities Of A Good PlumberA good Florence plumber must have several things. When you are interviewing potential plumbers, you need to know if they have the following: License – most states require working plumbers to have a license. Apart from a license, a good plumbing contractor must have a clean complaint record. You can check your state's government website to find out if there are any formal complaints filed against them. You can also check The Better Business Bureau for customer complaints. Insurance – even though you have a homeowner's insurance that provides some degree of protection, your plumbing contractor must have a workman's compensation at a minimum of $500,000 liability insurance to protect you and the plumber in the event he gets injured while on the job at your house. Experience – know how long the plumber has been providing his services and how long he's been in business. Most good plumbers had to spend years to gain the skills and knowledge in dealing with different kinds of plumbing problems. References – it is important to ask references of their clients in the past. A good plumber will not hesitate to give you a list. Once you have it, call them and ask if they were happy with the work provided by the plumber or if they have any complaints on the quality of their job. Warranty – you must work with a plumber who can guarantee his work and the parts for one year or more. Social skills – it is also important to consider the social skills of the Florence plumber you intend to hire. It will have to have a plumber who have good communication skills. Someone who can clearly communicate with your, has good work habits, and is trustworthy. You can find a good plumber from personal referrals, online referral services, and print ads. Don't forget to do your research if you want to make an informed decision. Call Plumbing Experts Florence if you need help with your plumbing system.Plumbing Experts Florence |
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Plumbing Pros Florence 2117-B W. Palmetto Street #103C Florence, SC 29501 843-536-4568 http://plumbingprosflorence.com/ Archives
November 2018
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