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Basic Plumbing

The Plumbing Code

The Code outlines the best and most modern methods to be used in plumbing installations. Since the plumbing in any private or public building is a part of the community water and sewage disposal system, it is vital that such installations should not be left to the discretion of irresponsible individuals. The protection of the public health and safety must be maintained by the establishment of sound code provisions. A plumbing or sanitation code is not a plumber’s code. It is rather a set of Rules and Regulations imposed by cities, counties and states on anyone who undertakes any work involving the installation of drinking water, sewer or toilet facilities in homes, offices, factories, schools and hospitals. Regardless of who might do the work, plumbing and sanitation codes require that it be done in a specific, safe manner because it was found that failure to do so caused widespread disease, which can be crippling and deadly-to the community.

Licensing

Plumbers must demonstrate their competence as installers of plumbing systems to an official executing board prior to being issued a license. A plumbing code which is technically perfect is valueless if its provisions are not observed and enforced. The issuance of a license by a community specifies that the license holder is qualified both theoretically and practically and that their technical knowledge is sufficient to maintain the standards of the code.

Is licensing intended to prevent anyone but a plumber from doing sanitation work? NO… Licensing prohibits the irresponsible, incapable person from endangering the health of your family, neighbors and community. Any person may do the work that has sufficient knowledge to do it in a safe manner, so long as the Rules and Regulations of the plumbing and sanitation code are observed.

However, those wishing to do such work must

demonstrate their ability by taking out a license and passing an examination. Most States require that, like a doctor, nurse, dentist or pharmacist, anyone whose work affects the public health and safety shall have adequate knowledge and training.

No one wants a “quack doctor” to treat his family or a “soda clerk” to fill his prescriptions. For precisely the same reasons, one does not want a “handyman” to do work in his home, office or factory which can adversely affect the health of his family, his employees or his neighbors. Done improperly, this work would probably need to be rectified at the time the property changed hands, which means paying twice for the same work.

Inspection and Permits

Through the issuance of permits and the requirements of public inspection, a community can assure itself of proper plumbing code enforcement. The permit allows the plumbing inspector to protect the consumer by assuring plumbing installations are done properly. The inspection of such plumbing work insures that the installation is being completed in accordance with code provisions.

It Pays to Take Care of Our Plumbing

The average household plumbing system represents an investment of about fifteen percent of the value of the house. No part of the house is more important. Nothing in the house is used more often. A smoothly functioning plumbing system is a pin to health and adds to the convenience of modern living.

There are many things that an owner or renter can do; there are many things that should be left to an expert-the plumbing contractor and his staff of journeymen plumbers.

Minor repairs should be made promptly. Annoyances such as a clogged drain, drippingfaucet or a leaking flush valve in the toilet, are more than a mere bother – they usually waste money. This booklet suggests remedies for these and many other household plumbing problems.

Major repairs, replacements, and new plumbing installations should be left to the supervision of a plumbing contractor. His working methods are based on years of experience – and his guarantee is assurance that all materials and methods are of the highest quality.

Where and How to Shut-Off Water

Knowing where and how to shut off water for the entire house or any part of it can be mighty important in an emergency. That’s why it is extremely important for all members of the family to know where the valves are and in which direction they should be turned to shut off the water.

One way to identify the valves is to have a tag on each valve indicating its function, that is, which fixtures or group of fixtures it controls. Valve identifying tags may be obtained from plumbing dealers. Many plumbers are glad to offer a valve tagging service to their customers or prospective customers.

Another method of identification is by means of a valve chart. Because this is somewhat more elaborate, it is usually employed only for houses with several bathrooms. A drawing is made of the basement piping with all the valves indicated. The valves are numbered on the chart and tags with corresponding numbers are placed on the valves. Still another idea which aids in identification is to paint pipes a distinctive color.

Obviously, the most important valve in the house is the main shut-off valve for the entire plumbing system. This valve, generally located on the house side or service of the water meter, usually has a handle like a wheel. If it has not been used in many years, it may require a wrench to turn it. Because the easy operation of this valve in case of emergency is so important, it is advisable to place a few drops of oil around the valve handle once or twice a year. This will prevent the sticking action of corrosion.

The shut-off valve may be the ground-key type with a small hole bored in its side for draining the pipes after the water is shut off, or it may be a drain and stop with a cap nut covering the drain opening. In either case, close the opening before turning the water off. Unless this is done, water will spurt with force.

Where no means has been provided for shutting off a drain opening, drive a small wooden peg into it until the pressure is relieved by draining the piping that is exposed.

In addition to the main shut-off valve at the meter, the well plumbed house has individual shut-off valves on the branch lines leading to individual fixtures, groups of fixtures or equipment such as water heaters, water softeners, automatic washers, etc. Many contractors, when installing plumbing fixtures, provide separate shut-off valves or stops for each individual fixture. These will be found on the supply lines below the fixture. These individual stops are a great convenience to regulate water flow in case of repairs as well as emergencies.

Upper, cut away of a Ball Valve.

Below, cut away of a Gate Valve.

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