Water Heaters - Gas

Chapter 9

Herein Lies the Rub
Like to soak or shower off the stress of the day? Then you know how frustrating it can be to wrestle with a leaky faucet or showerhead. And it's no fun to find yourself standing in a pool of soapy water that refuses to go down the drain.

Fact is, the bathroom has evolved to the status of "personal refuge" and "private sanctuary". To help you keep it that way, the plumbing and drain experts at Master Plumbing and Leak Detection offer these helpful hints for keeping your bathroom's tub , shower, and sink in shipshape condition.

Fun With Fixtures
Let's begin with a few words to the wise about the actual fixtures that deliver the water we use for bathing - tub faucets, and showerheads.

Tub faucets

Like sink faucets, tub faucets can be compression style or washerless. To take apart nay style tub faucet, pry off the cap, unscrew the handle, and remove the escutcheon. In a compression faucet, you'll see the stem and packing nut. You may need to use a deep-socket wrench to grip and loosen a recessed packing nut. To repair a washerless tub faucet, remove the stop tube and draw out the retainer clip to get at the cartridge.

Shower Heads

If your shower had leaks where it meets the arm, you probably need to replace the washer. To reach it, loosen the collar, using tape-wrapped rib-joint pliers. Unscrew the head from the adjusting ring. Erratic or weak water pressure usually indicates mineral build-up. To restore proper flow, clean outlet holes with a pin or unscrew a perforated faceplate and soak it overnight in vinegar, then scrub it clean. If the shower head pivots stiffly, check the washer for a wear and coat the swivel ball the petroleum jelly before reassembling.

Sink Faucets
It's such a big category; we've given "sink faucets" its own story. Refer to the kitchen faucet section in chapter 1 for more information.

The Main Drain
The main drain is the pipe from your home to the city sewer or septic system. The most common blockage is caused by roots from surrounding trees and bushes. Master Plumbing and Leak Detection is prepared to provide any solution to your problem, from blockages to repair or replacement of your main drain.

Common Causes:

Roots Sludge build-up Foreign object Damaged pipe Belly Misaligned Collapsed

Recommended Solutions:

Open by cabling Clean by jetting Inspect with in-line sewer camera to identify the problem Repair or replace

Recommended Prevention:

Regular cabling to reduce build-up Install clean out for access

How Vents and Traps Work
At first glance, drains seem to work even without traps and vents. Plenty of do-it-yourself leave out these key components, without understanding their importance.

	Traps hold enough water to form an airlock against sewer gases. Vents equalize pressure to aid drainage and allow sewer gases to escape to the outer air Without a properly functioning trap and vent, high or low pressure in the drains may create unsafe conditions. If you suspect improper venting, schedule and appointment with Master Plumbing and Leak Detection.
High Pressure Without venting, high pressure in the drains may force sewer gas out through traps and toilets. You'll probably hear gurgling and bubbling in the fixtures. You may also smell the vile bacterial odor mixed with sewer gas.
Low Pressure Without proper venting, lower pressure in the drains may cause siphoning in the traps whenever you drain fixtures. If the traps are dry, sewer gas vents directly into the house.
How Cleanouts Work Drain lines have removable cleanout plugs fitted to pipe tees or wyes to facilitate cleaning. You'll usually find a large cleanout near the connection of the soil stack and sewer line. This cleanout is more efficient way of rooting out the sewer line. To clear internal house drains, smaller cleanouts are located at least every 100 feet in modern plumbing systems. You may find such cleanouts on outer walls at the ends of plumbing runs or in the basement. In older homes, DWV connections were made with molten lead, which required special tools and training. Today, no-hub couplers have largely done away with this method of joining cast-iron pipes. If your home needs DWV repairs or improvements, you'll find these to be real timesaver - not to mention the way they help you avoid exposure to molten lead.
What You Can Do to Avoid Problems! Here is some preventive maintenance steps that will help you guard against future problems with your home's main drain.
Kitchen Sink Reduce the amount of cooking grease and fats going down the drain. Wipe greasy pans with a paper towel before washing. Use a degreaser regularly to prevent grease and sludge build-ups.
Garbage Disposer Follow manufacturer recommendations for proper usage. Run ample water before, during and after disposer use. If the garbage disposer is not functioning properly, depress the unit reset button, typically located at the bottom of the unit.
Bathroom Sink Run ample water washing soap, shaving cream and toothpaste down the drain. Use degreasers or enzymes to prevent build-up of body oils and soap residue.
Tub or Shower Install strainer to catch hair and foreign objects. Use degreasers or enzymes to prevent build-up of body oils and soap residue.
Toilet Avoiding storing or placing small objects on the toilet tank or around the toilet. Keep the seat cover closed.
Laundry Keep your washer's lint trap clean. Install a lint catcher on the laundry drain hose and clean it regularly. Use degreasers or enzymes to prevent build-up of body oils and soap residue.
Water Heater Follow manufacturer recommendations for proper use. Drain regularly according to manufacturer recommendations. Inspect for signs of leakage and rust. Listen for unusual noises.
Because its really never seen, your home's drain can easily be forgotten. That is, until it's not working properly! If you need help, schedule and appointment with Master Plumbing and Leak Detection.
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