Tips for Stress free life  >  Expert Zone   > Home Improvement      

 Home Improvement Tips


I Need What Part?


One of the first things you learn as a homeowner is that you may own your home, but you don't actually live in it full time. You get to spend the rest of your time living in the hardware store or hardware dept of your local retail store. Unfortunately the older the home the more frequent you visit this vast place with aisles and aisles of thingies and who whos, that previously meant little more than, ''?that aisle that my dad use to get all kinds of shiny pipes, connectors, and silver and brass things." A place where he spent many hours, (and you will too), talking about stuff with strange names and even stranger looking objects'd plumbing.

For now I'm just going to talk about plumbing. The first thing to realize is that older homes have plumbing systems that use galvanized pipe, which will corrode over time, leading to low pressure and leaks, (modern homes use copper and flexible pipe). Also in most modern homes there are usually "stop valves", (these are the little turn thingies) under each sink and toilet in the house, the most important one is the main water cut off. KNOW WHERE THIS IS LOCATED!! Or be ready to watch "Ole Faithful" wash your ceiling.

So, as a result of my many "Trial by Water" episodes of plumbing problems, I thought it time to clarify some of the incorrect definitions of plumbing terms with the correct ones used by the pros, at least, the "pros" in my local hardware store. These are all terms that I have come across in my attempts (more failures and disasters than success stories) to rectify some problems I have encountered with my 20 year old home.

1) ABS pipe? not to be confused with PVC pipe

ABS-Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene: ?It is a rigid black plastic pipe used for drain, waste and vent lines.

PVC-Polyvinyl Chloride:

?It is a rigid white or cream colored plastic pipe used in non-pressure systems, such as drainage, waste and vent systems.

2) Aerator:

This is not biology?. it is NOT part of a woman's anatomy.

?It is a device screwed into the end of a faucet spout that mixes air into flowing water, and controls flow to reduce splashing.

3) Drip Channel:

This is not a TV channel for plumbers, or your spouse's cousin.

?A metal channel that is designed to prevent water running down a shower door from dripping onto the floor when the door is opened.

4) Fitting:

No, not a "dry" run of putting all the parts together to see if they "fit", also included here to point out another bunch of terms to look-up.

?Any pipe part used to join together two sections of pipe, such as elbows, couplings, bushings, bends, wyes, etc.

5) Flow Rate:

Wrong?how high the water spouts out of the tap when the handle breaks off and the water is still turned on.

?Rating in gallons per minute (GPM) or gallons per hour. (GPH)

6) Nipple:

Again..this is NOT anatomy

?A short length of pipe installed between couplings or other fittings.

7) O-Ring:

Has absolutely nothing to do with a Space Shuttle although they serve a slightly similar purpose.

?It is a round rubber washer used to create a water tight seal, chiefly around valve stems.

8) Snake;

All I could envision here was a real sake put into the toilet to "eat" anything in its path on the way to the septic tank, then the screams of the next person "using" the toilet when the snake returns.

?A long, highly flexible metal wire or coil used for cleaning drains. Also called plumber's snake.

9) Stillson Wrench:

Not a hat that looks like a pipe wrench.

?It is a large L shaped pipe wrench. It has jaws that are adjustable and will tighten as pressure on the handle is increased. It is also known as a pipe wrench.

10) Teflon Tape:

Not a how to video of plumbing projects involving plastics.

?A fluorocarbon polymer with non-sticking properties used to wrap pipe threads to seal a joint.

11) Yoke:

This is not a funny story by a Swedish plumber.

?It is usually a brass casting that holds both the hot and cold valves and the mixing chamber for the water.

If you have a plumbing problem and are not sure about how plumbing works, this is not a time to experiment. Take it from personal experience, the disasters you can create are not worth the need to say "humph who needs a plumber..I can fix this!" Do yourself a BIG favor and consult a plumber. If it is a small job that you can confidently fix yourself I have but one piece of advice to give?shut off the water first!!!!!!!

...and that is about it except for these final words that my late father always said:

A good flush beats a full house every time.

Henry Morgan is a computer technician who spends his spare time playing Mr.Fix It around the house. He has learned many a lesson the hard way and enjoys sharing his knowledge to help others. He is currently supporting this site: http://www.plumbingworks.info

Please feel free to use this article on your web site or newsletter. All I ask is that the resource box is left intact and if the article is used on a web page, please ensure that the URL is a live link. Thank you.


MORE RESOURCES:

Obama Refinance Plan – Find Mortgage Help and Debt Relief Today
Subprime Blogger (blog)
The Obama refinance plan was created to help homeowners find mortgage help and get the debt relief they need today. If you have a significant amount of ...

and more »


BigNews.biz (press release)

Bad Credit Debt Consolidation – Consolidate Today for Debt Relief
Subprime Blogger (blog)
If you are having trouble getting rid of debt then you may want to consider consolidating today for debt relief. By going through bad credit debt ...
Debt Consolidation Easy To Qualify ForBigNews.biz (press release)
Unsecured Debt Consolidation Loans: Get StartedBigNews.biz (press release)
Debt Consolidation Non Profit: How To Get StartedBigNews.biz (press release)
BigNews.biz (press release)
all 13 news articles »


Telegraph.co.uk

Federal Government Credit Card Debt Relief Plan – Educate Yourself on Debt Issues
Subprime Blogger (blog)
The federal government credit card debt relief plan is designed to help credit cardholders better understand their options when it comes to getting out of ...
Credit Debt Relief: How To Get StartedBigNews.biz (press release)
Obama Credit Card Debt Relief Plan – Websites to Help Increase KnowledgeSubprime Blogger (blog)
Federal Government Credit Card Debt Relief Program – Lower Credit Card ...Subprime Blogger (blog)
Subprime Blogger (blog)
all 243 news articles »



BigNews.biz (press release)

Getting Help With Debt Relief – How to Choose A Debt Relief Firm
BigNews.biz (press release)
Successfully getting oneself out of debt unaided can certainly boost one's ego and fill the soul with a sense of accomplishment and power. ...
Credit Card Debt Relief – How You Can Lower Your Monthy Bill With Debt ...BigNews.biz (press release)
Debt Settlement Can Help You Settle Your Increasing DebtsBigNews.biz (press release)

all 4 news articles »


Credit.com News

Obama Credit Card Debt Relief Program – Pay Off Revolving Debt Today
Subprime Blogger (blog)
The Obama credit card debt relief program was created to help Americans pay off revolving debt as soon as possible. If you have been in a revolving debt rut ...
Federal Government Credit Card Debt Relief Plan – End Your Debt ProblemsSubprime Blogger (blog)

all 140 news articles »


BigNews.biz (press release)

Get Debt Relief – Do You Qualify For Debt Settlement
BigNews.biz (press release)
An experienced debt relief agent will very likely be able to help one identify a plausible hardship and so meet all the required specifications.

and more »


Live-PR.com (press release)

Freedom Debt Relief Receives Industry Certification
Live-PR.com (press release)
(live-PR.com) - SAN MATEO, CALIF., March 15, 2010 -- Freedom Debt Relief (FDR) has received the Goldline certification for excellence among debt settlement ...

and more »


Free National Credit And Debt Relief Help Seminar Promotes Economic Bailout
I-Newswire.com (press release)
... self improvement, is hosting a FREE 45-minute telephone seminar recording with author Chauncy Williams about credit and debt relief and management . ...

and more »


Federal Government Credit Card Debt Relief Plan – Help Yourself Out of Debt
Subprime Blogger (blog)
The Federal Government credit card debt relief plan was created to help Americans get out of debt as soon as possible. If you have been struggling to dig ...
Credit Card Debt Relief: How To Reduce 50% Or MoreBigNews.biz (press release)
Credit Card Debt Relief Programs More Effective Than EverEarthtimes (press release)
General Interest : Personal Debt Relief Services - Tips to Find The Top ...SkyNewswire.com
TMCnet -PR Web (press release) -BatchBuzz (satire)
all 329 news articles »

Google News

You are here Home > Tips for Stress free Life > Expert Zone > Home Improvement


| Home Improvement  | Home Improvement - Complete list 

| Main Home | | Meditation Corner

                |Health Tips  | Workplace Tips  | Soul Tips  |Expert Zone  |

Recommend us  |

 Books, DVDs and accessories on meditation & yoga  |

[About us] [Contact] [Privacy Policy]

Copyright 2006, Meditation is Easy.com, All rights reserved