What Plumbers Do and Why You Shouldn’t Do It Yourself
Orillia Plumbers are responsible for repairing and installing pipes and fixtures in homes, office buildings, and industrial facilities. They must be able to interpret blueprints and plans, and adhere to building codes and regulations.
Plumbers must also have strong math skills in order to accurately measure and make adjustments to plumbing systems. This is a demanding career that often requires working nights and weekends to address emergency situations.
Washers are perforated plates, discs or rings made from a variety of materials that’re sandwiched between a threaded fastening like a screw or bolt and the surface into which it’s driven. They reduce rotative friction and the risk of material damage by spreading the force applied to the nut or bolt across a larger surface area. This also helps protect surfaces coupled by the fastener from scratches, dents or marring, which can cause a nut or bolt to loosen over time.
There are many different washer types, all designed for specific purposes. Flat or disc-shaped, they’re typically made of materials resistant to heat and chemicals, as well as corrosion-inducing elements. Some washers are specially designed to absorb vibration, while others prevent the ingress of liquids. Some have specialist lubricity to help increase the lifespan of the fastener or to reduce the friction between surfaces.
Metal-coated washers offer an additional layer of protection against wear and tear. They’re commonly used in high-stress applications where the washer is exposed to a lot of stress, pressure and vibration. Metal coating also increases the strength of a washer, making it more resilient against extreme conditions.
A worn or faulty tap washer can lead to water leaks around the faucet body. It’s important to replace the washer regularly, even if there are no visible leaks, as this can improve the longevity of your taps and prevent water wastage.
If you’re unsure about how to repair your washer, speak with a plumber. They can help diagnose and fix the problem effectively, ensuring your plumbing system continues to function smoothly.
Damaged Valve Seats
Valve seats ensure a seal between the valve disc and the body of the valve to prevent fluid leaks and maintain system pressure. They are critical components in the overall performance of a valve and must be made from materials that can withstand the fluid or gas that passes through them, such as elastomeric and thermoplastic materials that resist degradation and offer chemical compatibility. Valve seat failure can lead to significant fluid loss, environmental hazards and safety risks, as well as inefficient operation and energy consumption.
Among the main causes of damage to a valve seat is improper installation or maintenance. For example, an improperly set valve lash can cause the valve to strike against the seat, which leads to wear and tear. Other factors that can cause valve seat damage include poor quality or defective parts, over-revving the engine, abrasive media, and inadequately matched parts. A damaged valve seat can affect the operation of the entire valvetrain.
The most common solution to a worn or damaged valve seat is re-surfacing, which involves grinding the valve seat with a tool that looks like a specialized abrasive grinder bit to recut it deeper into the existing surface. Re-surfacing is far less precise than lapping, which removes microscopic amounts of metal from the surface. Nevertheless, it can improve the quality of the seat and prevent damage.
However, re-surfacing can be dangerous because it exposes workers to a dangerous amount of beryllium dust. OSHA regulations state that workers should not be exposed to more than 2.0 micrograms of beryllium per cubic meter during an eight-hour shift. Therefore, it’s best to have a professional perform the job to avoid serious health problems.
There are a few ways to prevent or fix a damaged valve seat, including installing new seats, using a cleaning oven, and checking the valves for proper height and alignment. Another preventive measure is to create and implement maintenance protocols that outline how often and when the valves should be inspected, replaced and maintained. It is also important to use high-quality valves because they are less prone to early wear and damage than low-quality valves.
Broken Pipes
A burst pipe can be a catastrophic event that threatens property damage and flooding if not dealt with quickly. This type of situation typically requires the expertise of a professional plumber to ensure that the water supply can be restored promptly and that the broken pipes are correctly repaired. However, there are several things that you can do to minimize the impact of a broken pipe until the plumber arrives.
The first step is to turn off the water supply to the affected area. This can be done by finding the water shut-off valve, which is usually located in a basement or near the water meter. It is also important to know where all the water shut-off valves are in your home so that you can quickly turn them off if necessary.
You should then begin to clean up any standing water as quickly as possible to prevent further property damage. This can be done by using wet/dry vacuums, dehumidifiers, and fans. It is also important to use a disinfectant cleaner on any areas that have been exposed to water, as bacteria can grow in these conditions.
Depending on the location of the pipe, you may need to shut off your entire home’s water supply to gain access to it. If this is the case, you should find the main water valve and turn it off immediately to stop further damage. You should also shield any wooden ceiling joists, wires, and any other objects that could be damaged by the water if they are located nearby.
Once you have stopped the flow of water and cleaned up any damaged areas, you can begin to make temporary repairs. There are several products available that can help you do this, including duct tape and plumber’s putty. Duct tape has a rubberized texture and can create a waterproof seal when wrapped around a leaky pipe. Plumber’s putty is similar in that it can be used to create a waterproof seal on leaky pipes, but it has the added benefit of being able to be removed and reapplied without damaging the pipe.
Broken Fittings
When a fitting becomes broken, it needs to be replaced. If it’s left unattended, the resulting leak can cause costly water damage. While some DIYers try to monkey around with makeshift repairs, this is not recommended since it can lead to worse problems. A professional plumber is better suited for these types of repair jobs.
To replace a broken fitting, first shut off the water supply to the affected area. This can be done either by shutting off the main water valve or turning off a local switch near the damaged pipe. Once the water is turned off, remove any remaining water from the line with a pipe cutter. It’s a good idea to wear safety goggles while working with a pipe cutter because it can shoot out burrs and sharp edges that may harm you or your work area.
After cutting off the old pipe section, prepare to install the new one by cleaning both the pipe end and the valve fitting with steel wool. You can also spread soldering flux on the ends of the pipe and inside the valve to improve the seal. Wearing gloves, turn the pipe to drain it of any remaining water. If there is a lot of water, it’s best to place a bucket under the pipe to catch it.
Once the old pipe has been cut and cleaned, you can begin to loosen the fitting using a wrench or socket. Use steady pressure; erratic movements could damage the threads or the fitting itself. If the fitting still does not move, you can try lubricating it with penetrating oil. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the bottle for the proper application.
If the line is still broken, you can replace it with a push fit pipe fitting. These are easy to use because they only require that you ‘push’ it over the connecting pipe. If you’re not comfortable with this, you can still do a quick repair by cutting off the pipe at the damaged spot and then using a rotary cutter to make a ‘v’ shape into the end of the pipe to create a new connection.