3 Facts About Plumbing Systems New Homeowner Should Know
Are you experiencing a plumbing issue? Well, it’s always a good idea to call a professional plumber. Don’t attempt to fix the issue on your own if you don’t know what to do.
Things Every Property Owner Should Know About Their Plumbing System:
Locating The Main Water Valve And Turning It Off
Before a plumbing emergency happens, you need to know where your main water valve is located and how you can actually turn it off. As a homeowner, you have access to your home’s inspection report and you can find where the main water valve is located. Make sure everyone else in the house knows where the main water valve is located too.
In the event of a plumbing emergency and your home is flooding, you need to locate the main water valve and turn it off immediately. Start by looking around the perimeter of your home because it’s likely going to be placed at ground level. If you can’t find it, start by turning the main water valve located inside your home.
When you locate the main water valve, turn it clockwise. Depending on the type of main water valve installed, you need to turn it more or less until the water stops flowing and the professional plumbers arrive to the scene.
Identify Your Waste System
As a homeowner, you need to know whether you are using a city sewer or a septic waste system. If you are using a city sewer system, you have total responsibility for all the drain pipes coming from your home until the point of entry at the city sewer main. You should know the approximate location of the point of entry and where the lateral line runs from your home to that point of entry.
On the other hand, if you are using a septic waste system, you need to know where it is located on your property. There should be regular maintenance of the septic tank at least once every 3 years. Failure to do this will result in waste water flooding in your backyard.
Know The Age And Types Of Pipes
Old pipes made from galvanized materials or clay are likely to corrode, crumble or break. If you have older pipes, hire a professional plumber to replace them immediately. Newer pipes made from materials such as PVC, PEX or copper are durable but also have their own share of problems. identify the type of pipes in your home and their age to take the necessary preventative measures.