A frost free leaky outdoor faucet, also known as a sillcock or spigot) is not just annoying; it can cost you a small fortune in water bills if left unchecked. In addition, a leaky outdoor faucet can also cause damage to your Oklahoma City home and yard.
Fortunately, for even a novice do-it-yourselfer, a leaky outdoor faucet can frequently be fixed with just a few basic tools and about 30 minutes.
Identify Source of Outdoor Faucet Leak
The first thing you need to do is to determine where the outdoor faucet leak is coming from.
First check to see if the leak is occurring around the top cap that sits just back behind the handle. Inevitably this cap becomes loose on frost free outdoor faucet and all you need to do is simply tighten it back up using your hand. Overtime this cap becomes loose due to changes in seasonal temperatures or simply from frequent use of the faucet.
Next, check to see if it is leaking directly out the spout itself.
If the leak is occurring from the faucet spout, even after you have confirmed the handle is fully turned to the closed position, then chances are there is a failed washer sitting back behind the faucet handle.
Disassembling the Outdoor Faucet
To replace the washer, first turn the water off to the outdoor faucet. Usually the shut off valve to the outdoor spigot can be found inside your Oklahoma City home, for example in a utility room just behind the outdoor faucet. The shut off valve may also be located in the basement.
Next, turn the outdoor faucet to the full on position to relieve any pressure in it and to allow the water to fully drain from the faucet.
Now, using a screwdriver remove the screw that holds the handle onto the faucet.
With the screw removed, pull the handle off.
After removing the faucet handle, use a wrench to remove the faucet nut that sits back behind the handle.
Replace Washer and Clean Internal Faucet Area
Typically it is the washer that sits behind the faucet nut (sillcock nut) that fails. Remove it with your fingers or small screw driver and examine it for damage or wear. If you see either, replace the washer. Also, make sure the internal faucet (sillcock) is free from dirt and grime. If there is grime in it, flush it out with water.
Re-assemble Outdoor Faucet
Once you have replaced the washer and the internal faucet area is free of any grit, reattach the faucet nut cap, the handle, and the screw that holds the handle onto the faucet.
Test Repaired Outdoor Faucet
Turn the water back on at the valve within the basement or utility room to the outdoor faucet and observe water flowing freely from the faucet.
Turn the handle to the off position. If the washer or grit was the problem the leak should no longer be present.
Note that with a frost free outdoor water faucet, the actual shutoff valve sits far back into the faucet / sillcock pipe, (approximately 8 inches), so do not be surprised to see a few drips of water initially after shutting off the faucet. After a few minutes, however, you should see no more drips. With that your leaky outdoor faucet is a thing of the past!
If performing these steps doesn’t take care of the leak, you should call your Oklahoma City plumber who will be able to readily identify the source of the leak and repair it for you in no time.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Donovan
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing repair contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
Opening up, modifying, or entirely removing one or more walls is relatively easy but guaranteed to make a mess. In addition, you must patch the floor, walls, and ceiling.
Before you remove any wall studs, you must determine whether or not the wall is a bearing wall—part of your Oklahoma City home’s structural system
Be aware that plumbing, wiring, or other mechanical equipment within a wall can make removal far more involved. Rerouting plumbing, in particular, can add significantly to the work. If this proves too difficult a task, your Oklahoma City plumber is trained to quickly and efficiently remove walls.
To prepare for demolition, mask off the area with plastic sheeting to prevent the dust from permeating your home, and protect the floor with drop cloths. Turn off the electrical circuits that supply power to receptacles, light switches, and wires in the wall. Pry off any moldings.
To remove gypsum wallboard (drywall), punch through the center of the panel with a hammer and use a prybar to extract the pieces. To dispose of plaster and lath, smash the plaster with a sledge hammer and then pry off the lath.
1. Pry any remnants of surface material off the studs of the wall you intend to take out. On the walls that adjoin it, remove the surface material back to the first stud. Pull any remaining nails from all exposed studs.
2. Make sure water and electrical circuits are turned off and then remove any wiring or plumbing from the wall; properly cap pipes and terminate circuits. If you’re unfamiliar with this type of work, call an Oklahoma City electrical or Oklahoma City plumbing contractor.
3. Knock out any fire blocks between the studs. Cut through all the studs except the end ones a few inches up from the floor. Pull and twist the upper lengths of the studs to free them from the top plate. Using a hammer, knock over the short stud blocks at the base and pry them up. Pull out or cut off any remaining nails.
4. Make a diagonal cut through each end stud at a downward angle and then pry out the two pieces, beginning with the lower half. Pull them free from the top and bottom plates and the anchoring studs in the adjoining walls.
5. If the top plate goes through the adjoining wall, cut it flush with that wall’s top plate. Remove the top plate by making a diagonal cut across it and then wedging a prybar between the two halves and pulling downward. Pull out any remaining nails.
6. As with the top plate, if the bottom plate goes through the adjoining wall, cut it flush at the end first. Then make an angled cut across it, taking care not to cut the floor. Pry up the plate and pull out any remaining nails.
Article Source: http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/wall-open-up.html
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumber, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
Are you the type of homeowner who thinks he can fix anything and everything? Do you make it a habit of repairing any plumbing mishaps in your Oklahoma City home?
If so, and you don’t know what you are doing, you may end up causing thousands of dollars in damage before you know what hit you.
Hopefully, this will make you think twice before grabbing your wrench next time!
Of course, there are some plumbing jobs that you can try on your own without any risk. For instance, a leaky faucet is a small job that you may want to tackle before you call in your professional Oklahoma City plumber.
If you know what you are doing you will probably be able to stop the leak, and avoid paying a professional for their services. This is not something you can make worse, in most cases.
But what about more extensive plumbing projects? These are tasks such as running new piping through your walls or replacing an entire bathtub.
Oklahoma City plumbers know exactly how to handle these large jobs. You, on the other hand, are probably less experienced and will be moving forward without all the knowledge that you need.
If you make a mistake during a large do-it-yourself plumbing project it may end up costing you more than you ever imagined. What would happen if the new piping burst? Or if there is a leak underneath that new tub you installed?
Soon enough the water would begin to cause major damage to the walls, flooring, and other areas of your Oklahoma City home.
This does not mean that you should always hire an Oklahoma City plumber. If you are confident you can handle a task without the slightest problem, go for it. But any job that is too big should be passed onto a professional plumber instead.
Article Source: http://www.elocalplumbers.com/blog/diy-plumbing-mistakes-1000s-damage-606
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing repair contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
Water flowing in pipes can cause all kinds of weird noises. We all know what water running through a pipe sounds like, but what about some of those other plumbing sounds - like creaks or cracking sounds, rattling, whistling and the most annoying or scary of them all, that loud banging noise? Let’s look at what causes those sounds and how you can fix them. You should be able to manage most of these, but if the problem persists you should seek the service of your Oklahoma City plumber. He can easily handle any pipe repair or installation that may be necessary.
Creaks or a cracking sound
These are usually caused by the expansion and contraction of the water pipes themselves. As hot water runs through a pipe, it naturally heats the pipe, causing it to expand slightly. Once the water stops flowing, the pipe cools and the metal contracts, resulting in the creaking or cracking sound. The easiest way to fix this is to put some insulation around the pipe, or if the pipe is running through a tight fitting hole in the wood framing, cut a notch in the framing so the pipe can expand and then contract without that creaking sound.
Rattling
The cause and remedy are similar to the cracking sound. The rattling sound comes from the pressure of water running through a loosely attached pipe, causing it to vibrate slightly. When a loose pipe vibrates against something solid, like framing or the strapping designed to hold it tightly, you hear the rattling sound. Stopping the pipe from vibrating will fix the rattle. Put some cushioning around the pipe or fasten the strapping more securely so the pipe won’t vibrate.
Whistling
This is usually caused by water flowing through a restricted section of the plumbing. The restriction can be sediment in the pipe or a defective washer or valve. If the whistling only occurs when a particular faucet is turned on, that’s likely where the problem is, and replacing the washer or repairing the valve seat should fix it. However, if the whistling sound occurs when any faucet is turned on, the problem is more likely in the main water supply valve itself. Adjusting the water pressure at the main water valve may dislodge the impediment, or the change in water pressure itself could get rid of the whistling sound. If that doesn’t eliminate the problem, you may have to get the water valve replaced. This is most likely a task for your Oklahoma City plumber.
Banging
The loud banging sound when you shut off the water flow is actually called “water hammer,” and is a fairly common complaint in older Oklahoma City homes. The flow of water through the pipes contains energy, and when the flow is abruptly stopped, this energy causes the loud banging sound. Initially a home’s plumbing system was built with short pieces of pipe that filled with air and acted as air cushions to absorb the water’s energy when the flow was stopped abruptly. However, over time the air has leaked out, meaning there is no air cushion left to absorb the water energy.
You can put that air cushion back into your plumbing system by turning off the main water supply and opening all the faucets in your Oklahoma City home to drain the system. Next, turn the water supply back on and work your way up through the house, turning off the faucets as water flows through them. This should trap some air in the air chamber so it will once again provide the cushioning effect. If this doesn’t work, you can buy a “water hammer arrester” that attaches directly to the water supply pipe where the water hammer originates.
If your Oklahoma City plumbing is making any of these sounds, you should be listening because it’s telling you it needs some plumbing maintenance. The sound is caused by something not working properly in your system and if you ignore it, over time, that small sound could lead to larger problems.
Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/waterhammer#ixzz1mHkQ1peF
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing repair contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
Every Oklahoma City homeowner should have certain tools and supplies on hand in case of a plumbing emergency. Here are a few bathroom plumbing supplies that you should always have on hand so that you can make a simple plumbing repair while you wait for your Oklahoma City plumber.
Repair Kits:
We all have to deal with a leaky sink, a toilet that won’t flush, or water that won’t turn off at some point. The best way to deal with this is to make sure you always have plumbing repair kits on hand. You can pick up simple toilet repair kits at any big box store or Oklahoma City hardware supply store. They generally include all the basic parts needed to repair a toilet.
Sink repair kits will generally have bolts, nuts and washers included, and some may have the stem for the handle as well.
Plumber’s Putty:
While plumber’s putty won’t cure a leaky hose, it will certainly work in a pinch. You can buy this in small jars at most Oklahoma City hardware stores. It’s designed to form a temporary seal for leaky hoses or similar parts. If you discover your bathroom sink is leaking from the connector, this is the best thing to apply until you can call your professional Oklahoma City plumber to arrange for a more permanent fix. Having this material on hand can potentially save you lots of money in water damage repair.
Pipe Epoxy:
Epoxy is similarly not a permanent fix for a hole in a pipe or hose, but it will plug it up long enough to get it fixed. Just as with the putty, the epoxy is good to use in a pinch. The difference is the epoxy can generally be used on wet or dry surfaces, and forms a more secure bond. Use sparingly, though, as it can be very difficult to remove later.
Pipe Wrench:
You never know when you’ll need to tighten a bolt in a hard-to-reach place. Pipe wrenches are designed just for this. They are large enough to reach and grip the farthest pipes in the back of a cabinet or wall.
Washers, Bolts, Nuts:
These are so inexpensive that it’s silly to not have some extra ones on hand. You can store these in a small decorative jar or even an old coffee tin. If you have them, you won’t have to worry about running out in the middle of a repair to pick them up.
Drain Snakes:
If you discover a drain that isn’t draining properly, or worse, a toilet that keeps backing up, the easiest fix is to use a snake to remove the clog. Letting a clog go untreated will only make it worse and can potentially cost you a lot more down the road in repairs. You can pick up an inexpensive snake for around $20. Just keep it in the package and tuck it under the cabinet somewhere out of sight, and then you will have it when you need it.
A Well Stocked Toolbox:
Keep a toolbox handy and accessible. Always make sure you have all the essential tools inside it. Screwdrivers, both flat and Phillips heads, wrenches of different kinds, extra screws, hammers, a level, etc. This will prevent you from scurrying around later trying to find the misplaced tool when you need it most.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/tools-and-equipment-articles/7-must-have-bathroom-plumbing-supplies-2220294.html
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing repair contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
It wasn’t that long ago in history that people were still using outhouses for the toilet and pitchers and cisterns for basic washing, taking a bath once a week or less. In the last century or so, advancements in the science of plumbing as well as knowledge of bacteria have changed the field of plumbing. Whether you are talking about toilets or tubs, changes have made modern day plumbing more convenient as well as more hygienic for everyone in the Oklahoma City home. Your Oklahoma City plumber has followed plumbing advancements every step of the way, ensuring that no matter how much technology changes, he can handle any plumbing repair that comes his way.
The Business of Going
When most people think about in-home plumbing, their minds go to the toilet. Vast improvements in toilet design were made in the mid-19th century. At the turn of the 20th century, new innovations were being patented every week. Between 1900 and 1932, designs for 350 new types of water closets were received at the United States patent office. Two of the first patents were for what evolved into the most common type of toilet found today: the siphoning wash down water closet. Even today, new improvements are being made on the way water and contents are removed from the bowl: engineers are working on perfecting the design of a motor for toilets with a jet flush system.
Healthy and Happy
Another major advancement with the changes to plumbing is the general health of the population. One reason improvements in plumbing helped with the health of the population was the steady switch from lead pipes to those made of copper and PVC. This improvement in the water delivery system kept people from being exposed to harmful levels of lead that leeched into the water from the pipes. Also, being able to draw a fully heated bath on demand in your Oklahoma City home was a luxury for most until a few decades into the 20th century. With the expansion of citywide plumbing, gas and electricity service, bathtubs began to become a staple in every home. As people had increased access to clean, warm water for bathing and washing, the demand for tubs grew. This improved the health of the general population, as fewer people were coming in contact with harmful bacteria for prolonged periods of time.
Economic Improvements
Plumbing was a matter of better access, which came as technology improved and rural areas were attached to larger septic systems. Financially, people were able to improve their in-home bathrooms, allowing for increased plumbing improvements. A survey taken by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs between the years of 1925 and 1926 showed that, between 1918 and 1926, bathtub sales increased five times over, from 818,000 to 1.2 million. The bathtubs were in cities, towns, and rural areas - no one area was left untouched. In the years following World War I, particularly the years when Herbert Hoover was president, the country went through an amazing growth. This showed in the amount of plumbing supplies produced, the number doubling between 1919 and 1923.
This spurt of economic growth barely slowed during the depression and World War II. In the 25 year period between 1929 and 1954, plumbing product sales rose an amazing 357 percent, from $498 million to $2.3 billion. Even in the rough economic times of today, people are continuing to make improvements to their Oklahoma City kitchens and bathrooms.
More than Just Business
While the health and economic changes in plumbing have grown immensely in the past century, it hasn’t been only business. Cosmetic changes have greatly improved modern plumbing, making it more convenient for everyone. These little changes include valves that control temperature changes, preventing scalding in the shower, and changes that provide a lessened impact on the environment, such as low-flow shower heads.
The advancements in plumbing have improved not only the health but also the happiness of the general population. From quieter, more efficient pipe systems to the delivery of clean water, plumbing has grown immensely in the last century - and thank goodness for that.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Gentry
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing repair contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
When it comes to spending money hiring a plumber, it can be a hard thing to budget for, particularly in the current economic climate. A lot of people will decide to do the work themselves, which is all well and good if you have the necessary tools, skills and experience, but the rest of us are left requiring the services of a professional Oklahoma City plumber. Here are a number of scenarios which may lead to you requiring the services of a professional plumber:
- Your toilet is blocked. This is not beyond the realms of the average person being able to fix. If you have a plunger in your home then you can certainly have a go at unblocking the toilet, just don’t flush the toilet in an attempt to shift the blockage as you will end up with water everywhere. If, after using a plunger, the toilet is still blocked you will need to call in a plumber.
- Your plumbing knowledge and skills are poor. There is no shame in it, the vast majority of people lack the knowledge and experience to be able to adequately deal with plumbing problems in the home. If you are someone who does not have the necessary plumbing experience then you would be better off not attempting any DIY plumbing in the home, leave it to a professional plumber. Trying to fix something yourself and making a bad job of it will likely end up costing you a lot more than just getting a plumber to come out in the first place.
- Water is not draining away from your sinks. If the water is struggling to drain away from your sinks the likely cause is a blockage in the pipes. You can buy chemical solutions that when poured down the sink are supposed to dissolve the blockage but be very careful when using chemicals and don’t over use them. Your best bet would be to get an Oklahoma City plumber to come out and clear the blockage.
- Home improvements and new plumbing installations. Whenever you are planning home improvements like a new bathroom, new kitchen or installing a new en-suite bathroom into your Oklahoma City home, you will want to do so with the help of a qualified, professional plumber. Water and waste pipes need to be plumbed in correctly, if they are not you could end up with a financial nightmare later on.
From the few points above you should be able to see why it sometimes necessary to hire a professional plumber. There are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk of plumbing catastrophes in your home:
- Ensure your toilet is not being used to flush away things it was not designed for. If your toilet is blocked then there is a good chance that someone has been flushing something they shouldn’t, toilets should only be used for human waste and toilet paper. Speaking to all members of the family to ensure they understand this could save you money in the long term.
- If you are planning a trip away for a prolonged length of time it might be wise to shut off the water supply to the house. This will get rid of the risk of you returning home to find it flooded due to a leak while you were away.
- Try not to let waste food and cooking grease go down the kitchen sink. Grease will solidify when it cools causing it and any waste food to begin clogging up the pipes.
- Make everybody living in the property aware of where the water shut off valve is located. Shutting off the water as quickly as possible in the event that something goes wrong could save you a lot of money.
At some point everybody owning a home will be presented with some form of plumbing related problem. It is therefore important to know what you can do to in such situations and when to call in a professional Oklahoma City plumber.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phil_Wheater
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City plumbing company, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
