Sacramento Contractors - Plumbing, Roofing, Remodeling, Landscaping, Concrete & more. Tips for DIY plumber, roofer, remodel & landscape projects.
DIY Plumbing Tips from a Contractor
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
Can you serve as your own handyman (or handyperson)? For complex jobs, you need a plumber, but simple maintenance can often be a DIY project.
Simple Spring Plumbing Tips
Spring is a time when many homeowners engage in maintenance tasks like spring cleaning and home renovation. It’s also a good time for homeowners to check up on their plumbing system to protect their home from clogged drains, leaks and water damage. Keeping up with this basic maintenance on a yearly basis can help keep your home functional throughout the year.
Perform a Water Heater Check Up
Temperature settings: on the water heater, setting the temperature very high in an attempt to obtain more hot water can be dangerous and lead to serious scalding burns for the building's occupants unless water tempering or mixing valves or other temperature safety controls are provided and properly set at the plumbing fixtures. At a temperature setting of 100 degF or below most water heaters are unlikely to scald an occupant; more than 5 minutes exposure at 120 degF are required to produce 2nd & 3rd degree burns on adult skin.
Watch for Water Leaks Associated with Sprinklers and Outdoor Faucets
The most common reason is called “Low Head Drainage”. "Low Head Drainage" occurs when the lowest head on a zone allows water to drain from the lateral piping, out of the sprinkler. If it is low head drainage, residual water will stop flowing after all the water has left the pipe.
Turn the Water Valves
A threaded plumbing fixture such as a shower head, faucet or aerator can become stuck due to mineral deposits that accumulate over time. The same is true for plumbing nuts that secure a fixture in place. The longer the fixture has been in place, the more likely it will be stuck and cause removal problems. In many cases, though, it is possible to loosen the stuck plumbing fixture.
Check Under Sinks and Supply Hoses
The supply hoses simplify installation of toilets, faucets, water heaters and more. Flexible supply lines bring water and gas from the permanently installed pipes behind your walls to your fixtures and appliances. Take a look under your sinks and check the supply hoses that run to your dishwasher, clothes washer and other water-using appliances. Look for moisture, puddles, rust, corrosion and other warning signs of a leak.
Drain the Sediment from Your Water Heater
Have you flushed your water heater lately? This boring but important chore should be done at least once a year to remove sediment that accumulates on the bottom of the tank. That's especially true if you live in a hard-water area. The task is easy to blow off because it's out of sight—but skipping it is costing you a lot. Sediment buildup reduces the heating efficiency of your water heater.
Test the Toilets for Leaks
Leaking toilet? You may not need a new one, but before you can fix it, you'll need to find out the real problem. It could be as simple as a flapper leak or toilet valve leak. If so, the fix is pretty simple.
Clean Gutters and Down Spouts
If the gutters are too full, water can actually damage the roofing and the fascia (the boards behind the gutters, rather than the tough tissue in the human body). Overfull gutters can spell trouble below deck as well, as water pouring over the gutters versus going cleanly down the spouts can mean water getting to your foundation, and possibly into your basement and crawlspace. The torrents can also do a number on your garden beds if they’re right under the gutters.
What are the two biggest users of water in your home? Toilets and landscape watering. In fact, during the summer, half of all household water use can be for the lawn and garden. However, it's possible to dramatically reduce your water consumption, lower your water bill and still have a beautiful, productive garden if you institute water wise landscaping . Just follow these eight steps: Water deeply & Add organic matter to your soil. Work in 3 to 4 inches of organic matter such as well-rotted manure or finished compost. Mulch around your plants with leaves, wood chips, bark, hay or straw. Mulch retains moisture and cools the soil. Add at least 2 inches of organic matter each year. Grow cover crops or green manures. Deliver water to the root-zone. Soaker hoses ensure that up to 90 percent of the water you apply to your garden is actually available to your plants. Sprinklers can claim only a 40 to 50 percent efficiency. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses minimize evaporation...
From choosing the right lighting to deciding on the perfect mix of storage components, designing a closet is no easy feat. Custom storage solutions, convenient dressing areas, glamorous design details – you deserve a closet with everything you could want in a custom closet and then some. Make it an Extension of Your Bedroom "Your personal closet is a space that should not be overlooked and designed only for function, but rather made into an extension of your bedroom. For this closet, I wanted to create a jewel box atmosphere and to design not only a wardrobe, but a dressing room. I designed the layout of the closet, keeping the function of utmost importance. We also added beautiful wallpaper and plush carpet, and used lucite rods, mirrors and crystal lighting to add a bit of glamour. I wanted to my client to feel like she was shopping in her own closet!" — Kathryn Ivey Vary Storage Types & Incorporate Contrasting Colors Today In: Lifestyle “Planning a master ...
Asphalt paving for your residential or commercial property is a big job that requires a professional, experienced company to ensure proper installation and long-term results. To avoid costly repairs from shoddy workmanship, it is imperative that you hire a reputable asphalt contractor for all your asphalt needs. Tips for Hiring an Asphalt Company Check References & Reputation A contractor who is licensed in the state of California and insured to complete commercial paving projects is essential for ensuring quality, safety, and good results. While many contractors choose the minimum amount of insurance required by state law, a reputable company will protect your property by having full insurance for their entire crew, including general liability, auto liability, workers’ compensation, and an umbrella policy. They should also keep an adequate crew on site. A properly staffed team consists of five to eight fully insured workers, depending on the size of the paving project. Find...
