Repairing & Maintaining the Home Plumbing System. Instructional Materials Service Texas A&M University

Transcription

1 Repairing & Maintaining the Home Plumbing System Instructional Materials Service Texas A&M University

2 Introduction An individual able to make minor repairs to the water system will: Minimize downtime Save money Maintain a constant supply of fresh water A wise individual owns the necessary tools and is prepared to make minor repairs.

3 Plumber s Toolbox

4 Additional Plumbing Tools

5 Plumbing Wrenches

6 Closet Auger

7 DWV and Supply Systems

8 Repairing Faucets & Valves

9 Replacing the Washer A faucet that drips when closed or has a water hammer when opened has a worn washer. Shut water off at valve nearest to faucet Disassemble in order: 1. Handle 2. Packing Nut 3. Packing 4. Spindle Remove screw & worn washer from spindle Install new washer in cup

10 Washerless Faucets Utilize a cartridge in place of the valve stem & washer Cartridge: plastic insert with a neoprene O- ring Replace O-ring by cutting off worn ring and rolling a new ring in its place

11 Repairing Water Closets (WCs) Modern water closets use about 2 gallons per flush. A leaking toilet wastes enough water in a year to fill a swimming pool about 70,000 gallons! The flush valve, refill valve, and float ball are the parts most often replaced.

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13 Fill Valves Refill Valve Ballcock Valve

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15 Replacing Flush Valve Leaky flush valve is usually caused by a defective flapper A broken trip lever or an improperly adjusted lift chain can also be the cause New flapper valves, trip levers, and lift chains available at most grocery, hardware, and plumbing supply stores

16 Replacing Lift Chain & Flapper Valve Cut off the water supply and drain the tank. Remove the old flapper valve from the mounting bracket on the overflow pipe. Snap the ears of the new flapper onto the pins of the mounting bracket. Adjust the trip chain length. Turn on the water and refill the tank. Flush water closet to check action and length of trip chain.

17 Replacing the Fill Valve Fill valves are generally more cost-effective to replace. Be sure that the fill valve you purchase has an anti-siphon feature. Prevents fill valve from pulling water stored in tank into home water supply

18 Tank-to-Bowl Washer Shut off water supply Empty tank & bowl Disconnect water supply line from tank Disconnect tank from water bowl Remove seat and cover Remove bolt covers & bolts holding bowl to flange Replace washer, gaskets and bowl Re-install tank and reconnect water supply line Flush toilet a few times to check for leaks Install seat & cover

19 Caulking Tools & Caulk

20 Repairing Leaks in Pipes

21 Small pipe leaks: Rubber patch, metal clamp, or sleeve for emergencies Replace pipe as soon as necessary A leak at a threaded connection: Can often be stopped by unscrewing the fitting and applying a pipe joint compound

22 Large leaks in a pipe: Old pipe can be removed and plastic pipe put in its place Not inside buildings If near a joint, cut damaged pipe out and install new pipe with a union Leaks at soldered joints: Due to vibration or some other reason May be re-soldered if accessible

23 Selecting & Using Pipe

24 Three kinds: Type L (standard medium-wall copper pipe) Type M (thin-wall copper pipe) Type T (thick wall copper pipe) Resistant to corrosion Life expectancy years Can freeze several times before it will burst Useful where rigid pipes are difficult to place May be purchased in 10, 25 & 50 coils Sizes = ⅛ 1 Copper

25 Sweating Copper Tubing Use a propane torch for sweating fittings. Use a flux for the particular solder. Procedure: Cut tubing squarely Remove burrs Allow ⅜ additional length for each fitting Clean outside area of tubing thoroughly Clean inside of tubing thoroughly Test fit all parts for accuracy

26 Step 1

27 Sweating the Joint & Fitting Apply flux to cleaned portions of tubing Check fit again Place fitting on tubing, push against shoulder of fitting, and turn several times to distribute flux Heat tubing until flux boils Touch solder to seam of joint Solder will melt and flow into joint by capillary action when joint is properly heated Remove flame as joint is filled with solder Allow joint to cool Wipe off excess flux and set joint

28 Step 2

29 Simplest Method

30 Flare Fittings Slip flare nut on the copper tubing. Remove the burr from the end of the tubing. Wrap the tubing with cloth to prevent damage and place it in a vise. Apply a few drops of oil to the flaring tool.

31 Place flaring tool over end of tubing Place tubing flush with surface of tool Screw the flaring tool into the end of the tubing to make a flare. Remove tool, place flare nut in position. Tighten the flare nut on the fitting.

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33 Plastic (PVC) Pipe Water and fire resistant Easily placed, no special tools required Completely replaced cast iron pipe Easily punctured Loses strength under prolonged exposure Perforated: septic tank & field drainage Solid: house-to-sewer connections, irrigation systems, municipal water and sewer lines, downspout drainage, and more

34 Mark pipe Cut to length Ream burrs Clean interior surface of fitting & exterior surface of pipe Chemically & mechanically Check accuracy of fit Apply PVC cement to surfaces Plastic

35 Preparing the Connection

36 Making the Connection Press pipe and fitting firmly together Turn pipe 1/4 turn to evenly distribute cement Hold for seconds Clean off excess solvent Check for accuracy and allow to set before pressurizing connection CAUTION: Be sure adequate ventilation is available when working with PVC solvent.

37 Making the Connection

38 Clearing Clogged Drains and Traps

39 Plungers Water should be standing in fixture when using a plunger Cover overflow openings to prevent air from coming in or out

40 Cleanout Augers Flexible cables used to clear obstruction in drains. If drain is closed by root growth, use a power auger If necessary to use a root saw, drain should be replaced

41 Water Pressure Breaks up obstructions / forces objects through pipe Insert hose well into the pipe Use rags to minimize backflow of water Jet nozzles can increase the effectiveness A clog remover can break up obstructions in pipes Placed on end of hose Insert hose into pipe until the obstruction is reached Turn water on Bladder swells & seals off the pipe Valve opens and forces a strong jet of water into clog

42 Clog Remover

43 Removing the P-trap Necessary to unclog some drains Use a bucket to catch water overflow Make certain washers are firm and tight to prevent leaking

44 For loosening grease, clogs, and soap Chemical Cleaners Don t use in pipes that are completely stopped up Must directly contact the stoppage to be effective Do not allow to contact porcelain finish Only CuSO 3 or NaOH based drain chemicals Flush pipes with cold water after use Follow label directions

45 Traps & Cleaners

46 Sewage Disposal System Develop plans for sewage disposal system at the same time as the water system. Residential DWV systems operate on gravity. Fall in drain and waste lines is very important. Fall of ⅛ to ½ per foot of run is adequate in most situations

47 Three stages for sewage to become harmless: Sedimentation: solids separate by weight from liquids Decomposition: by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria Purification: liquid is aerated through soil in disposal field

48 Most common, least expensive method of rural sewage disposal is a septic tank with an conventional drain field system May not be possible in some areas Heavy, impervious soil or a high water table will prevent use of septic tank Spray systems are used if a percolation test determines they will function properly After installation, no costs other than periodic pumping to remove sludge

49 Line from House to Tank Length determined by: Slope of the ground Location of house and well The disposal field Locate to prevent well contamination Laid in a straight line / at a uniform grade Grade of drain determined by size of line Minimum fall of ⅛ /ft of run for a 4 diameter drain Lesser slope may be used on larger diameter pipe

50 Purchased or constructed on site Adequate to hold sewage for three days Allow at least 40 gallons per person per day Septic Tank Place downhill from home and no closer than 30 ft. Contents: Scum: grease & lighter solids rise to the top Sludge: heavier solids sink to the bottom Liquid: remains between layers of scum and sludge

51 Final Disposal System Liquids only - not easily clogged Minimum slope 2 ft. per 100 ft. of run Liquid purified by aerobic bacteria After leaching through disposal field, liquid should be free from odors, suspended solids, and harmful bacteria

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53 Spray Distribution Systems Wastewater Septic Tank Treatment Tank Disinfectant Tank Pump Tank Spray Nozzles Lawn or grassy area Treatment Tank: Decomposition/purification continues Aerator continuously bubble air into bottom of tank Disinfectant Tank: Chlorine added for further purification All types of soils

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55 Lawn & Garden Irrigation System Layout

56 Irrigation System Components Backflow preventer Cutoff riser Automatic controller

57 Licensed Landscape Irrigators Design irrigation systems Install backflow preventers Excavate trenches Assemble PVC tubing Install pumps and controls Supervise technicians & laborers

58 Male end Female end Hose splice Water Hose Repair

59 Residential Property Inspection Structural systems Electrical systems HVAC systems Plumbing systems Appliances

60 R/E Inspectors Note Leaking faucets & hose bibs Showers & WCs working improperly Age, brand, & energy source of water heater Water heater installation details pressure relief vented to exterior? drain pan? raised above floor?

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62 Acknowledgements Kirk Edney, Curriculum Specialist, Instructional Materials Service, developed this PowerPoint presentation. Vickie Marriott, Office Software Associate, Instructional Materials Service, assisted in the development of this PowerPoint presentation.

63 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Reproduction or redistribution of all, or part, of this presentation without permission is prohibited. Instructional Materials Service Texas A&M University 2588 TAMU College Station, Texas