Repairing & Maintaining the

Home Plumbing System

Instructional Materials Service

Texas A&M University

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.

Plumber’s Toolbox

Additional Plumbing Tools

Plumbing Wrenches

Closet Auger

DWV and Supply Systems

Repairing Faucets & Valves

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

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

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.

Ballcock Valve

Refill Valve Fill Valves

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

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.

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

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

Caulking Tools & Caulk

Repairing Leaks in Pipes

• 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

• 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

Selecting & Using Pipe

Copper

• 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 40 -100 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‖

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

Step 1

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

Step 2

Simplest Method

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.

• 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.

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

Plastic

• 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

Preparing the Connection

Making the Connection

• Press pipe and fitting firmly together

– Turn pipe 1/4 turn to evenly distribute cement

• Hold for 15 - 20 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.

Making the Connection

Clearing Clogged Drains

and Traps

Plungers

• Water should be standing in fixture when

using a plunger

• Cover overflow openings to prevent air from

coming in or out

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

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

Clog Remover

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

Chemical Cleaners

• For loosening grease, clogs, and soap

• 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 CuSO3 or NaOH based drain chemicals

• Flush pipes with cold water after use

• Follow label directions

Traps & Cleaners

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

• 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

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

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

Septic Tank • Purchased or constructed on site

• Adequate to hold sewage for three days

– Allow at least 40 gallons per person per day

• 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

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

Spray Distribution Systems

• WastewaterSeptic Tank Treatment TankDisinfectant TankPump TankSpray NozzlesLawn 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

Lawn & Garden Irrigation System

Layout

Irrigation System Components

• Backflow preventer

• Cutoff riser

• Automatic controller

Licensed Landscape Irrigators

• Design irrigation systems

• Install backflow preventers

• Excavate trenches

• Assemble PVC tubing

• Install pumps and controls

• Supervise technicians & laborers

Water Hose Repair

• Male end

• Female end

• Hose splice

Residential Property Inspection

• Structural systems

• Electrical systems

• HVAC systems

• Plumbing systems

• Appliances

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?

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.

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 77843-2588

http://www-ims.tamu.edu

2006