The plumber is highly skilled and equipped to address a wide variety
issues that occur in both input and output plumbing systems. The plumber
prefers being called to solve major problems, those requiring his
extensive training, and would just as soon let the layman tackle minor
problems. Therefore, it is worth the homeowner's effort to learn how to
distinguish tasks that he can do from those better left to the
professional plumber. It could also save significant expense.
You, the amateur plumber, must first understand how all of the plumbing
in your house functions. We can categorize it into five systems:
service, supply, drain, waste, and vent. The service system is what
connects your house to the water source, which is typically provided by
the city. The supply system distributes incoming potable water
throughout the house. Drainage systems empty plumbing fixtures while
preventing sewer fumes from entering the house. Waste plumbing connects
the drainage system with septic tanks or public sewers, while vents are
designed to equalize air pressure in both the drain and waste systems to
assure proper functioning and to prevent backflow.
A plumber originally installed piping for all five of these systems when
your house was built. A plumber also hooked up the appliances that use
water, namely, the water heater, dishwasher, washing machine, and
sometimes refrigerator or even dryer. The plumber also took precautions
to avoid all cross connections, or possible ways for tainted water to
get back into the water supply should negative pressure occur. Of
course, piping and appliances get replaced from time to time due to wear
and other reasons, and habitual use of fixtures can change. Thus it
behooves the amateur plumber to periodically reassess his plumbing
systems.
Start with the water heater. Check its age and consider replacing it (a
job best left to the professional plumber) in the near future if it's
older than eight to twelve years. Make sure the thermostat is set so
that your hottest water is no more than 120 degrees to avoid scalding.
If it doesn't have a TPR valve or the valve isn't properly terminated
(typically about six inches above the floor), call a plumber
immediately, for this is a safety concern.
Now go through the kitchen and baths checking the location and
operability of the shut-off valves. Fill the fixtures and then look
underneath while they drain to check for leaks. Also note whether the
faucet assembly leaks. Fixing these problems is something you can
probably do yourself rather than call a plumber. If you know or suspect
that some faucets have been replaced since the house was built, make
sure the spout tip is higher than the basin overflow level; otherwise,
you have a cross connection. To remedy this, replacing the faucet
yourself or hiring a plumber depends on your comfort level.