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Plumbing FAQ

The following plumbing FAQ will help you acquire the right knowledge to solve typical plumbing problems. Use this plumbing guide to help you handle simple plumbing maintenance. When in doubt ask your local plumbing service provider for professional plumbing advice.

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Piping & Fittings

What is the distinction between PVC and CPVC plastic pipes?
Although both CPVC and PVC are rigid plastic pipes the former carries hot and cold potable water supply, while the latter is used for drain systems, cold water supply and venting.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of plastic and copper supply lines?

Pipe Material	Benefits	Drawbacks
Copper	Bacteriostatic Clean water	Cold Water Pitting Erosion Corrosion
Plastic	Inexpensive Easy installation No corrosion Non toxic	Weaken after prolonged exposure to heat

Drain & Sewer

What is a vent and what is its function in the plumbing system?
Vents overhang from every roof through which sewer gases evaporate out of the building. Indeed each drain must be properly vented to raise sewer gasses out through the roof, and prevent sewer odors from permeating the house.

How do I avoid root intrusion in the main sewer line?
Apart from regular drain cleaning, avail of professional plumbing consulting in regards to what chemicals, if at all, can resolve this plumbing problem.

Kitchen Plumbing

What can I do to relief a partially clogged kitchen drain?

Fill the sink with just enough water to cover the plunger's cup positioned over the drain's opening.
Move the plunger up and down and repeat action until water drains easily out, indicating that you have lifted the obstruction.
If plunger fails to unclog the drain then place an empty bucket under the sink's trap. Unscrew the trap and see if you can take out the source of the obstruction.
Employ a plumber's snake if you cannot reach the clog yourself. Drain augers extending to different lengths will enable you to hit and break the clog.

What is the function of an aerator on a faucet?
An aerator is attached at the tip of the faucet to spread water flow into many small streams, and help save on water and reduce extensive splashing.

How do I clean the garbage disposal and maintain a fresh scented kitchen?
As a rule of thumb make sure to turn off power to the garbage disposal before cleaning this kitchen appliance.

Method 1 – Pour 1.5 cups of baking soda down the kitchen drain along with a cup of white vinegar. Allow the mixture to sit for several minutes before carefully pouring a medium size pot of boiling water to flush clean the drain.

Method 2 – Mix a gallon of water with one tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach and pour the solution down the drain. After a couple of minutes flush the drain with cold water.

Fresh Scent – Place several ice cubes together with citrus fruit's rinds in the drain and grind clean the disposal's cutting blades while adding a pinch of fresh scent to the kitchen.

Plumbing Fixtures

What are plumbing fixtures?
A plumbing fixture is a device that enables a particular use, receiving water from the plumbing water supply and draining wastewater to the DWV system. Plumbing fixtures include toilets, urinals, sinks, bathtubs, showers, bidets, drinking fountains. Plumbing accessories such as faucets and shower heads compose the sub category of plumbing fixtures.

Why are traps located under plumbing fixtures?
A trap is a U, S, or J-shaped pipe located below or within a plumbing fixture. Each drain trap retains a water seal to prevent sewer gases from penetrating buildings.

What is a fixture's shutoff valve?
Typically found under or besides the actual plumbing fixture, a shutoff valve is used to stop the water supply to a specific fixture. The main shutoff valve will stop water supply to building. The shutoff valves should be turned off in case of water related plumbing emergencies.

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Plumbing Tools

What is a plumber's snake?
Consisting of a coiled metal wire attached to a device with a crank that rotates the wire as it moves down the drain - a plumber's snake is a flexible auger used to remove clogs lodged in drain pipes that a plunger cannot lift.

Hot Water

Why is hot water sometimes rusty and brown?
Dirty hot water is caused by the following:

Various chemicals cause rust to enter the water lines and exit via various fixtures and appliances.
Contaminated water enters the clean water supply due to loose fittings or damaged pipe lines.
Water heater's sediment travels in the hot water supply to the various plumbing fixtures and appliances.
A defective glass lining in the water heater may cause the metal jacket to rust and color the hot water released from the boiler.