You can never know too much about plumbing: how it is still changing with new and innovative ideas. Understanding the basics of your plumbing systems is often a must if you do not want to deal with the hassle of leaky pipes in your building. If you’re new to plumbing work, read this plumbing checklist to help you understand it better and how it works.     

    

Plumbing Tips    

These are some of the essential plumbing tips in 2022 that will help you care for your plumbing system. If you want to ensure that your plumbing systems continue to function correctly, consider these tips:    

   

Tip 1: Inspection is A Must  

It will help if you do assessments routinely. Your plumbing system is an integral part of your building, and problems with it can cause problems in some other parts of your structure. Your plumbing system controls water flow, wastewater, drains, and more.     

Inspection can help you find possible problems in your system and fix them right away. Without this, you may encounter minor issues that can turn into something serious, which causes more problems and additional costs. It would be best if you also considered hiring a professional to inspect your plumbing systems as an amateur or someone with little to no experience will be unable to spot not-so-obvious signs of deterioration or damage.  

    

Tip 2: Cleaning and Maintenance      

Maintaining and cleaning your plumbing systems are just as crucial as inspection. Professionals inspect to see if repairs are needed or if you have significant problems with your unit. Consider installing access doors for easier access to your plumbing systems while keeping them safe and protected. Consider hiring professionals to clean and maintain your plumbing systems, as they would know what to do and how to do it properly.       

By ensuring your pipes are getting their routine cleaning and maintenance done, you are prolonging their lives and durability, saving them from damage and deterioration. It would also be best not to attempt to clean your pipes alone, as you will need more than just a brush and some cleaning chemicals.  

    

Tip 3: Know the Important Parts    

You should always know the essential parts of your plumbing systems, especially the shut-off valves. You can shut it off by twisting these valves to save yourself from water damage or flooding in your building. Every central plumbing fixture in your building will come with a shut-off valve for emergencies.  

    

Tip 4: Always Trust the Professionals    

Another tip you should not take lightly is to trust professionals over your intuition or some random DIY YouTube video. Don’t take any chances, especially regarding something as important as your plumbing systems. One amateur mistake can lead you to more significant problems and costly repairs. If you are unsure about the problem with your plumbing systems, call a plumber and deal with that issue immediately.   

    

Tip 5: It is Always Worth the Cost    

While some people might think they can do the plumbing work themselves, it does not usually end on a good note. Without proper experience and tools, you cannot expect to get an easy fix by following a guide online. Plumbing problems may cause various issues, especially if you run a commercial business like a restaurant or a hotel. Remember that paying for plumbing work will always be worth the cost.     

    

If there is any doubt, always call a professional. To prevent plumbing issues early after construction, hire a plumbing expert to provide you with the design of your plumbing system, not someone who understands just the basics of how plumbing works.   

Guest Contributor: Chris Jackson

Hygiene is one of the critical factors in maintaining large cities. The cleanliness we enjoy today is all thanks to the accessibility of clean, running water. Without this convenience, cleaning our homes and workspaces becomes difficult. The humble plumber is a wonderful person you can thank for clean running water.  

Giving people confidence in your abilities is essential to such an important task delegated to plumbers. Nothing sparks confidence in your clients like your shiny new plumbers’ license.    

If you’re looking into becoming a licensed plumber, this article is just for you!  

  

Check In with Your Authority Having Jurisdiction 

Different states have different prerequisites for becoming a licensed plumber, and some states don’t need a license altogether. To figure out what you’ll need to become a licensed plumber, you must refer to your state’s AHJ.  

AHJs for plumbing have information regarding local safety standards. As such, they are one of the most reliable sources of information for becoming a licensed plumber.  

  

Apprentice Plumber  

Like all jobs, you’ll need to accumulate the experience necessary to become a plumber. Depending on the state that you’re in, you may need to apply for an apprenticeship license or register as an apprentice. You’d need basic requirements to become an apprentice. These include being 18 years old and obtaining your high school diploma or GED.  

As an apprentice, you’ll typically work with Journeyman or Master Plumbers, learning skills directly from them through on-the-job training and coursework. Apprenticeships last between two to six years, so take your time to learn from the best plumbers to become one yourself.  

  

Journeyman Plumber 

After working with other plumbers for a while, you’d be looking to start doing jobs on your own. The process begins with becoming a journeyman. To become a journeyman, you’ll need to pass the licensure exam in your state. If your state does not have one, your city or municipality may instead have one, so it’s essential to check the requirements in your area.   

Understanding the questions you’ll encounter in the exam is vital. Thankfully, the internet makes it easy to look for the recommended study material in your area. The licensing board responsible in your area may have their recommended study guides, which will go a long way in achieving success with your exam.  

You can choose which industries you want to work in as a journeyman plumber. For example, during your apprenticeship, you may prefer working on big commercial construction projects or doing minor residential service work. With this journeyman license, you have the liberty to choose your path.  

  

Master Plumber  

The highest level in plumbing and what most plumbers work to achieve in their careers is becoming a Master Plumber. While becoming a master plumber, you’ll need around two to four years of additional experience and work in the plumbing trade on top of your experience as a journeyman. Depending on your location, you may also need to complete a training course.  

As a master plumber, you open yourself up to a variety of opportunities, such as being able to work towards a high managerial position, maybe you prefer doing planning work through 3D CAD software, or perhaps you’d like to open your own company. You also get the most prominent influence in choosing the components that go into any job, so it’s essential to take your time doing research, like deciding if you need Plumbing Access Panels or not.  

  

Conclusion  

Any job can be worth working in as long as you want it to be, and that’s certainly no exception than becoming a plumber. The best thing is the freedom you get with this career. If you enjoy going out on your work truck doing the jobs yourself or prefer managerial and planning roles, you open your career up to take the path you want by becoming the best plumber.  

Guest Contributor: Chris Jackson

Plumbing problems are inevitable. Sooner or later, something will age out, rust, or burst. When that happens, you need to know what to do and how much you can DIY.

WATER LEAKING

First of all, find and shut off the main valve. It’s usually next to the water heater, under a sink, or near the washer. If you can’t find it, go out by your metre and turn the water off there. You need a special key tool for that.

Don’t try to showcase your DIY skills in this situation. Plumbing work in Australia is regulated by specific codesand you might get in legal trouble for trying to wing it. Better call a local professional.

Stop the inflow and sanitise the immediate damage. Then call a plumber to address the underlying problem (burst pipe etc). If only hot water is leaking, shut off the valve on top of your heater. Your home will still have a water supply, albeit cold.

PILOT LIGHT IS OFF

The pilot light on your water heater indicates whether the heating is working. First, find a metal box with knobs near the bottom of the heater. Set the temperature control to the “pilot” position. Next, look for the access panel and look inside.

There’s a button that feeds gas into the pilot light (usually red). Use a long lighter to reach in safely. Light the pilot light, then hold down the gas button for 35-40 seconds. Let go and, if the light stays on, change the temperature control knob back to “On”.

If it goes out again, call a plumber specialising in water heater repair. You’re almost certainly dealing with a faulty thermocouple (safety device).

JAMMED SEWER

When a home sewer becomes clogged, toilets might refuse to flush, water can flood out from under them, or sewage might come out of the shower.

For residential sewer troubleshooting, it’s best to look for experts who are familiar with the area. For example, if you live in Greater Western Sydney, you would look for a reputable plumber in Hills District. Until you can get professional help, reroute the waste outside. Find your cleanout and remove the cap. This reduces pressure on the line and the sewage goes into your yard instead of into your home.

GAS LEAKING

Gas leaks occur near stoves, furnaces, and water heaters. Move the appliance and turn the (usually red) valve or handle a quarter-turn to stop the gas flow. Leave the space and let it air out completely before you start diagnostics and repair.

If you still smell gas, shut off the main gas line. You can also call the gas company or a plumber to do it for you. In that case, also request immediate repair service. Gas leaks are fire and suffocation hazards and must be fixed immediately.

CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKING

These are highly lethal and even more urgent than gas leaks. Speed is key: CO acts insidiously and affected persons could just fall asleep and not wake up. Common symptoms of CO poisoning include drowsiness, headaches, and nausea.

Outfit your home with a CO detector. If it goes off, shut down every gas appliance, evacuate everyone, and call emergency plumbers.

Water leaks, malfunctioning heaters, and blocked sewers are all common household plumbing emergencies. You can troubleshoot the immediate damage and patiently wait for professional help. Gas leaks and CO leaks are hazards that require urgent action. Know which appliances run on gas, where the valve is, and educate all members of the household on emergency and evacuation plans.

Guest Contributor: Diana Smith

Tables are an integral part of a kitchen. It is the place where you can create and share a meal with friends and family. But more than merely functional, tables come in many different shapes and styles, from round to rectangular. A good table will last for years, providing comfortable seating for all your guests and a clean surface to enjoy your delicious meals on.

Choosing the right kitchen table is an important decision. It will often be the one piece of furniture you and your family spend the most time around, so it should be comfortable, durable, and stylish enough to fit into your home’s decor. That is why this buyer’s guide for modern kitchen tables is here to help.

BEST MATERIAL FOR KITCHEN TABLES

The material is the first thing to consider when shopping for a kitchen table. While there are many choices, glass, marble, and metal have their unique pros and cons.

GLASS

Glass is a great material for a modern kitchen table because it is sturdy, easy to clean, and can be found in various colors and thicknesses. It does not scratch easily but should be handled with care because it can break.

MARBLE

Marble is made of stone and therefore durable, but it has the added benefit of looking elegant and classy and being stain resistant and easy to clean. However, marble can chip or crack if dropped or bumped against something hard, so care needs to be taken when handling this material.

SOLID WOOD

Solid wood tables look great but are not as durable as glass or marble, so this material should be used with caution. While it is the most expensive option, solid wood is also a very stable material and very easy to keep clean.

METAL

Metal is a good option for modern kitchen tables because it is lightweight and not prone to chipping or breaking. However, it also tends to scratch easily, and it will also rust if left wet.

CHOOSING YOUR KITCHEN TABLE SHAPE

The next important thing to consider when buying a kitchen table is the size and shape of the table itself, both in terms of its overall size as well as the size of the individual seating pieces that make up the tabletop.

ROUND TABLE

We can’t all be the owners of an oval or round dining table, but if you find a nice round table that looks good in your kitchen, you may want to consider investing in it. Round tables are more comfortable to sit at than rectangular ones.

This is the most common table shape in modern kitchens because it allows for maximum visibility – particularly with regard to seating arrangements – and provides maximum surface area for food preparation and serving.

SQUARE TABLE

A square table provides a roomier area for the same number of people as a round table, so it is a good option if you feel cramped at round tables. It also allows for more leg room. Square tables are great for young families who have to accommodate children’s booster seats.

Consider a square table instead of a round table that doesn’t fit in with your kitchen’s look. This is the most common shape for traditional dining tables, so it should be the one you choose if you want to keep your kitchen’s appearance classic.

RECTANGULAR TABLE

Rectangular tables are the most popular table shape in modern kitchens because it provides a roomy area for sitting and dining or entertaining, even with an asymmetrical seating arrangement. They also suit modern homes, providing plenty leg room for all guests.

A rectangular table can work well in any layout, as long as the seating arrangements suit your needs and the overall size is appropriate for your kitchen décor. You can make it work as long as you have enough room for everyone to feel comfortable.

OVAL TABLE

With an oval table, you may have to adjust the kitchen’s layout depending on where the seating arrangements will be. This is because it will take up more surface area than other dining options. However, it also provides extra room for food preparation and serving and more flexibility in seating arrangements since more people can fit around one circular shape than any other type of table.

CHOOSING THE CORRECT TABLE SUPPORTS

The next thing to look out for when buying a table is the type of support it has. This will depend on whether the table uses legs to support itself or if it is an entirely flat surface.

A-FRAME

This type of support is typically paired with glass tables, as they are a good option for casual surfaces such as coffee tables, and they provide adequate support without taking up too much space in the living room or family room. However, if your table will see heavy use, this support may not be strong enough to hold it up properly over time.

X-FRAME

This support is typically paired with metal or wood tables, as they provide a table’s most sturdy and stable support. Metal tables can also be found in other types of materials, such as glass, marble, and solid wood.

SQUARE LEGS

If you have a small table, you may want to consider square legs to give it some extra structural support. This will help ensure that it will last a long time and not become unstable over time, which is important if you plan on entertaining large groups of guests or family members regularly.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Buying a table for your kitchen can be stressful, but with the tips and tricks that we have provided you, you should be able to purchase a great table without too much work. If you choose the right size, shape, and material for your kitchen, your new table will be a piece of furniture that will last for years.