Bathroom Plumbing for the Do-It-Yourselfer
Whether you are looking to build your own bathroom, renovate the one you currently have or do a repair, bathroom plumbing is a job that needs careful attention. If you do a job improperly, it can cost you a few dollars to thousands, as water damage or improperly channeled water can create havoc later on.
Common repairs to bathroom plumbing may be done easily by someone who is mechanically inclined or is eager to learn. Changing a washer, a cartridge a broken toilet chain or a clogged drain can be jobs tackled by such individuals. However, even then, there are some key steps that if overlooked can cause problems.
Perhaps you are building or renovating a bathroom. Be sure you know how to proceed if you are installing new bathroom plumbing pipes to avoid costly mishaps or a more complex job than you intended.
Replacing a sink, tub or toilet can be done with the right resources. You need to think about the existing bathroom plumbing, dismantling existing fixtures, disconnecting and reconnecting the necessary pipe fittings and ensure proper positioning. Detailed instructions on how to install new fixtures come with them.
Some things to consider for new bathroom plumbing are:
* The right tools
* Properly laid out pipes
* Proper supply and drainage
* Sufficiently glued or soldered pipes
* Correctly angled gravity fed drains
* Knowledge of building codes and standards
* Insulation
When deciding whether to replace your own toilet, you also need to consider the floor construction and age of your home. In older homes, if there is cast iron pipes used for your bathroom plumbing, they will corrode eventually and aging wooden sub-floors deteriorate. Be prepared for what you find if you pull out your old toilet. With homes newer than 15 years old and on a concrete floor, these will not be issues.
When running bathroom plumbing pipes, you need to be wary of creating a situation for noisy pipes. Due to the expansion in copper piping when hot water runs through them, if not adequately insulated or spaced, they can cause rubbing against studs, support brackets or joists when they contract. If it is severe enough, it can create a leak.
The solution to this bathroom plumbing problem would mean opening up all the drywall and insulating between the pipe and framing at every noisy place you find. If the leak goes undetected, it can create water damage and mold.
Water pressure issues and improper pipe fastening to the frames can also create noisy pipes. Air chambers can be installed to cushion the energy caused by water motion in the bathroom plumbing.
Running bathroom plumbing as well as any water pipes on an outside wall leaves them vulnerable to outdoor temperatures and risk freezing. It is a good practice not to do this.
There are so many elements to creating the best bathroom plumbing that unless you do your homework and know your plan, abilities and limitations, is best left to the professionals. You want to ensure the utmost quality and expertise is incorporated into your job so you get the most out of what you put in, and an expert plumbing contractor can help you do just that.
Common repairs to bathroom plumbing may be done easily by someone who is mechanically inclined or is eager to learn. Changing a washer, a cartridge a broken toilet chain or a clogged drain can be jobs tackled by such individuals. However, even then, there are some key steps that if overlooked can cause problems.
Perhaps you are building or renovating a bathroom. Be sure you know how to proceed if you are installing new bathroom plumbing pipes to avoid costly mishaps or a more complex job than you intended.
Replacing a sink, tub or toilet can be done with the right resources. You need to think about the existing bathroom plumbing, dismantling existing fixtures, disconnecting and reconnecting the necessary pipe fittings and ensure proper positioning. Detailed instructions on how to install new fixtures come with them.
Some things to consider for new bathroom plumbing are:
* The right tools
* Properly laid out pipes
* Proper supply and drainage
* Sufficiently glued or soldered pipes
* Correctly angled gravity fed drains
* Knowledge of building codes and standards
* Insulation
When deciding whether to replace your own toilet, you also need to consider the floor construction and age of your home. In older homes, if there is cast iron pipes used for your bathroom plumbing, they will corrode eventually and aging wooden sub-floors deteriorate. Be prepared for what you find if you pull out your old toilet. With homes newer than 15 years old and on a concrete floor, these will not be issues.
When running bathroom plumbing pipes, you need to be wary of creating a situation for noisy pipes. Due to the expansion in copper piping when hot water runs through them, if not adequately insulated or spaced, they can cause rubbing against studs, support brackets or joists when they contract. If it is severe enough, it can create a leak.
The solution to this bathroom plumbing problem would mean opening up all the drywall and insulating between the pipe and framing at every noisy place you find. If the leak goes undetected, it can create water damage and mold.
Water pressure issues and improper pipe fastening to the frames can also create noisy pipes. Air chambers can be installed to cushion the energy caused by water motion in the bathroom plumbing.
Running bathroom plumbing as well as any water pipes on an outside wall leaves them vulnerable to outdoor temperatures and risk freezing. It is a good practice not to do this.
There are so many elements to creating the best bathroom plumbing that unless you do your homework and know your plan, abilities and limitations, is best left to the professionals. You want to ensure the utmost quality and expertise is incorporated into your job so you get the most out of what you put in, and an expert plumbing contractor can help you do just that.
