The kitchen sink is clogged, and you stand there scratching yourhead wondering what to do. Then there's that irritating drip-dripfrom the faucet keeping sleep at bay.
Not many people are plumbing gurus. Knowing when to roll up yoursleeves and when to pick up the phone could save you money and grief.
In this age of the Internet, many people run for the computer tosearch out how-to tips from information Web sites. Armed withprintouts, many take a deep breath and plunge into the world of do-it-yourself remedies. Saving money is often the motivator, butplumbers caution over-zealous homeowners.
"The questions you want to ask yourself are 'Do I feel confidentenough in my ability to repair the problem?' 'Is it worth everythingif a nut blows in the middle of the night and then I have to dealwith water damage?'" suggested Wilbur Ray, owner of Wilbur RayPlumbing in Clarksville, Tenn.
Ray said he has encountered literally hundreds of customers whoattempted to make perceived simple repairs only to have those effortsresult in costly consequences.
"Murphy's Law is a big part of plumbing, any plumber will tell youthat," Ray said.
Maintenance is key
Ray is adamant about one particular tip to prevent cloggingproblems.
"Never, I repeat, never pour grease down a drain," Ray said.
J.D. Daigle, owner of Sewer Bee, also in Clarksville, agreed.
"Any kind of grease is a major no-no. It cools, hardens andbecomes slimy almost like a glue with warm running water," Daiglesaid.
The gooey grease then catches random particles of waste foodmatter. The gooey mess continues to mushroom until a drain isclogged, causing water to back up into the sink.
"But maintenance to drains is important," Daigle suggested."Drains require attention just like a car or anything else."
The best maintenance tool in Daigle's estimation is a bacteriacleaner, not liquid abrasive chemicals.
Daigle swears by a product called Bio-Clean, which is availablethrough plumbing supply outlets.
"It's an organic product that even if a small youngster were toconsume, it wouldn't harm him like most liquid or granular toxicproducts would," he said.
Suparna Kumar, a certified poison specialist with VanderbiltHospital Poison Control Center confirmed that Daigle's recommendationis an enzyme-based detergent that would not prove life threatening ifswallowed.
"But, it's important people realize this Bio-Clean product isproduced by Jabco International. There are other products with bio-clean in the name that contain highly toxic chemicals," Kumar said.
She suggested people look for Jabco International, a subsidiary ofKinzie & Payne Bio-chemical, on the product before assuming a falsesense of security for their children. She cautioned, however, thateven with this product there could be vomiting and nausea ifswallowed.
Having the right stuff
If you should decide to brave the frontier of do-it-yourselfplumbing, having the correct tools is a step toward success.
Professionals suggest the following:
PIPE WRENCHES. You'll usually need two pipe wrenches--one forholding and the other for turning. Use pipe wrenches only on pipes.The teeth in the jaws of a pipe wrench can bite into the metal andcan mar chrome-finished buts and pipes.
OPEN-END WRENCHES. Adjustable wrenches and monkey wrenches will dothe job, also. These tools have smooth jaws and can be used for hexor square nuts. These wrenches are ideal for working with interiorparts of faucets and valves.
STRAP WRENCHES. These can be used instead of a pipe wrench whenworking with chrome-coated pipe if a regular pipe wrench might marthe surface.
VICE GRIP WRENCHES. These are ideal for holding and working pipeof small diameter.
BASIN WRENCHES. These are used to remove or tighten nuts and hosecouplings under sinks and lavatories.
The alternate positions enable you to reach nuts that wouldordinarily be inaccessible to other wrenches.
Before making that call to the professionals, you might want totry a few tips from plumber Al Radford.
Radford said homeowners might opt to try using "a goodprofessional plunger" to dislodge stoppages.
He said to cover the overflow hole on a bathroom sink or theadjoining sinkhole if you're attempting to unclog a kitchen sink.
If you don't, you'll lose the plunging pressure. Use a goodprofessional plunger and work the clogged drain hole.
"That will take care of a clog in the trap; past that, thehomeowner is basically out of luck, unless they are experienced,"Radford said.
When it comes to finding a remedy for that dripping faucet,Radford said replacing the washer will usually take care of theproblem.
"If you should decide to replace the faucet, then be sure to readthe instructions and have the proper tools on hand," he said.
"And don't forget to turn off the supply line first thing, beforeyou do anything," he added.
Because most faucets require a nut to be held in place underneaththe sink while a bolt or screw is tightened at the top, Radford said,"You truly need a plumber's helper."
Scott Emerson works for Radford Plumbing. As a professional, heagreed.
He said installing a faucet is a job that requires someexperience. "Odds are the inexperienced do-it-yourselfer could tearup a new faucet and then pay a plumber to get another," Emerson said.
Gannett News Service
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий