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Understanding The Plumbing In Your Home

admin • May 04, 2016

One of the most simple but useful tips to remember is to get to know the plumbing in your home and how it all works. Too often people make the mistake of ignoring signs of a problem in their home or failing to investigate and tend to an issue before it becomes something much larger. If you are just moving into a house or having your house built, it is an excellent idea to learn and write down things like where the main shut off valve is and how to operate it. The main shut off valve is what allows all water flow in your house and supplies water to all of your pipes, and appliances. If a massive leak or problem were to happen, you will want to know how to shut off the water supply in a big hurry so your home isn't flooded in the blink of an eye.

 

Plumbing is a crucial aspect in every home that is used every day, so when a problem arises it helps to have an understanding of what could be the cause. Knowing where to begin will help figure out how it can be fixed.

 

Preparing For Cold Or Freezing Weather

 

One of the most costly mistakes that can be made is forgetting or deciding not to winterize and turn off outdoor water lines/hoses. If you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures then clearing the flow and even sitting water in any line that can freeze is very important. If the water does happen to freeze in a pipe then it has a major possibility of expanding then cracking the pipe. This can be a large and expensive job to fix. If not fixed then when you go to reuse the pipe when thawed out and warm again you may not have water and it will most likely be leaking into the ground or in your home somewhere.

 

Winterizing and correctly shutting down all pipes before freezing weather hits will surely save you a great deal of time, hassle, and money by avoiding something like a broken pipe. For any other questions, issues, or concerns, you can address them to a professional Alexandria plumber.

 

Understanding The Location Of Pipes In the Walls

 

If you are planning on knocking down a wall or making some home improvements then you will want to keep a few things in mind. If you don't already know where the pipes run through your home then it is important to find out. You would not want to break through a wall and crack a pipe open spilling water out. Simple tools/meters can be purchased to help you better locate where pipes may lie in your floor/walls so you can save yourself from a broken pipe or worse.

 

Lastly, once you know where the pipes are then it is always good to document the location so you can know for the next time you are performing any type of project in your home. Following these simple tips can save from making common but costly mistakes in and around your home.

 

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