Looking for a Nice Quiet House? Better Check the Plumbing

(ARA) - With all the environmental noise in our high-tech society, its little wonder that peace and quiet have become highly prized luxuries. Noise ordinances are regularly sought and passed to control everything from the volume of recreational watercraft to the backfire of car engines. In most neighborhoods, residents are restricted from making noise or playing stereos loudly before 8 a.m. or after 10 p.m. as a courtesy to other neighbors. There is even a Noise Pollution Clearinghouse that exists on the Internet to help reduce noise pollution and create an awareness of its various sources.

But noise isnt restricted to the great outdoors. Inside, there are equally as many sources of noise disturbance, including squeaky floors or doors, rattling windows, a dripping faucet or a toilet that continues to run. Manufacturers have invested heavily into technologies that make todays dishwashers, washing machines and even refrigerators much quieter. Homeowners routinely pay extra for additional soundproofing procedures and insulation between living spaces.

With all the noise to deal with, its easy to overlook one primary source -- the homes plumbing system. Plumbing pipe can be the source of two types of noise -- the sound of water flowing through the pipes and what is commonly referred to as water hammer, the banging or knocking sound thats heard within copper piping systems due to pressure surges that occur, for example, when a shower is turned off suddenly or when a washing machine changes cycles. A shock wave results as the fluid inside the pipe decelerates sharply, causing the pressure to rise and the fluid to compress.

Unfortunately for homeowners, traditional copper pipe is rigid and, therefore, not capable of expanding. Compounding the problem, copper has very poor insulating properties; consequently, any noise in the system is transmitted throughout the home. An alternative material, CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride), is not only less rigid than copper, it also has superior insulating properties.

In an effort to determine how much noise results and is transmitted in metallic pipe and how much noise could be reduced with the installation of a CPVC piping system that offers superior insulating qualities, NSF International, a well recognized, independent testing lab, conducted testing designed to compare noise levels between FlowGuard Gold CPVC pipe and copper pipe.

These tests documented the noise level (average of three tests) for the FlowGuard Gold 3/4 inch pipe at 35.9 dBA versus 55.4 for the 3/4 inch Type M Rigid copper pipe. To put the 19.5 dBA sound level difference between the two pipes in perspective, it was concluded by NSF that the copper pipe was four times louder (as the human ear interprets sound level) than the FlowGuard Gold CPVC pipe.

To compare the difference another way, consider that the human whisper at 25 dBA approximates the noise level of water running through a FlowGuard Gold pipe, versus a washing machine at 65 dBA, which is closer to the level of noise of water flowing through a copper pipe.

Other common noise levels register as follows:

* Rustle of leaves - less than 20 decibels

* Normal human conversation - between 60 and 70 decibels

* Busy street traffic - between 70 and 80 decibels

* Locomotive - approximately 90 decibels

* Jack hammer - approximately 100 decibels

* Rocket ship - between 110 and 120 decibels

In addition to its quieter operation, FlowGuard Gold CPVC pipe has been gaining in popularity and is being installed in more homes for other reasons, as well. The foremost reason is reliability. Unlike copper which is subject to corrosion and pinhole leaks that can lead to premature failure, CPVC pipe will never pit or corrode. This also means it will never leach harmful metals into the homes drinking water. In addition, it will never scale like copper, which allows it to retain full water-carrying capacity. And, its easier and safer to install because it utilizes an innovative, one-step solvent cement bond which does not require a torch for soldering.

To learn more how the selection of the right plumbing product can minimize noise in your home, as well as the many other benefits of CPVC plumbing, visit www.flowguardgold.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Essential Plumber Tools For The Do-It-Yourself Plumber

In the journey of homeownership, there will undoubtedly come a time when a professional plumber must be called in to address repairs that are simply out of the average homeowner?s comfort zone. However, just as often there will occur those simple plumbing repairs that do not necessarily require the attention of a professional. For those of us who wish to tackle these repairs, it is essential to have certain fundamental plumber tools on hand in order to successfully complete the project.

There are several basic plumber tools that should be included as staples in the average household.

One plumber tool that is absolutely necessary in the common tool kit is called the plumber?s pliers. This particular plier ? also often referred to as channel lock pliers or water pump pliers ? is used to steadily hold a pipe in place while making a repair. Its serrated teeth make it an invaluable tool.

The pipe wrench is used to tighten pipes. The unique design of this plumber tool lends itself to tackling the most common of plumbing projects with ease of handling.

Another plumber tool of the utmost importance is a basin wrench which allows the at-home plumber to manipulate nuts and bolts underneath a sink. Because of the awkward positioning of this job, the basin wrench can be extraordinarily useful.

Additionally, an open-end wrench allows you to maneuver under a leak; you can tighten the bolts you need to tighten without losing your grasp. There are open-end wrenches of varying sizes; be sure to have several choices in your collection.

Be sure to also include pipe cleaning tools, tape, nuts and bolts of all sizes, and even a pipe cutter. If you are unsure about what to include as part of your essential plumber tools, visit your local home improvement store where you?ll likely find knowledgeable employees who will be happy to help.

Additionally, the Internet can be a valuable resource in gathering information about fundamental plumber tools. Do some research in advance to be sure to arm yourself with the most appropriate plumber tools for your tool kit.

Once complete your kit of plumber tools will prepare you for any at-home plumbing emergency. With proper preparation you can either perform a temporary fix until a plumber can arrive or simply repair it yourself. The rewards will be significant savings and the priceless feeling of self-satisfaction.

For easy to understand, in depth information about plumbing visit our ezGuide 2 Plumbing.

Top Ten Reasons To Be A Plumber

Have you ever been told you need a college degree if you want a high paying career?

Do you know over 25% of all college graduates work in jobs that don't require a degree?

Do you know you don?t have to go to college to get a great job or a great salary?

It?s true, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics; eight of the top ten fastest growing occupations do not require a bachelor?s degree.

One of the hottest job opportunities right now is plumber. Here are the top ten reasons why you should pursue a career in plumbing:

1. It?s a hot opportunity- Human resource issues are a serious threat to the plumbing industry. There is an ongoing shortage of skilled workers and the coming wave of Baby Boomer retirements will cause the current large problem to explode into a gigantic one.
2. The great pay- Plumbers are one of the highest paid construction occupations. Pay rates of $20-25 per hour are common. And depending on your location, you can earn up to $35 per hour and more.
3. Awesome benefits- The competition for quality plumbers is causing employers to put together amazing benefit packages including; paid vacations, retirement, and medical coverage including dental and vision insurance. If you join a union, the benefits are even better.
4. Incredible training opportunities- Most people enter the plumbing trade through an accredited apprenticeship program. By training as an apprentice you?ll earn a living wage, train with a seasoned veteran, and depending on the program you join you can earn college credit for the classes you take and the work experience you gain.
5. Employment stability- Employment of plumbers is less sensitive to changes in economic conditions than other construction trades. When construction activity declines; maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement of existing systems provide many jobs for plumbers.
6. Job advancement- Starting out as an apprentice and then reaching journeyman status you can accelerate your career by becoming a foreman, general foreman or even a piping superintendent. With additional training you could move into construction management or building inspection.
7. Create something that lasts- Plumbers help build homes, offices, hospitals, factories and sports facilities. You can be a part of something that lasts for generations.
8. Never be bored as a plumber- As a plumber you can work with gas piping, medical gas, water supply, waste water treatment, vacuum piping, underground utilities, residential service, residential and commercial construction? the possibilities are endless.
9. Make lifetime friendships- The construction community is a close knit group that serves and protects its members better than almost any group. Working as a plumber, you?ll make lasting friendships with other plumbers as well as members of other trades you work closely with.
10. Recognition- Get the recognition you deserve by doing quality work in the plumbing trade.

If this article has helped you and you think a plumbing career is the right fit for you, then visit the www.escoweb.com for more information.

J.K. Stephenson helps people find jobs that pay more than $20 per hour. Visit http://www.escoweb.com to learn more.

Discount Plumbing Supplies: Saving Money on Supplies

When you need a lot of plumbing supplies, you need discount plumbing supplies. This way you can get all of the supplies that you need for the job you have to do, but get them all at a discount. No one like to pay full price for anything, and getting something at a discount just makes it so much better. You will find that they are not hard to find, and you can find the supplies at a discount most anywhere if you know where to look.

The first place that you should look for discount plumbing supplies is your local discount plumbing supply store. You will see that they can offer part, pipes, and fittings at a lower price than your plumber might be selling them to you for. Going into a discount store like this is sure to pay off in the end if you are looking to buy a lot at one time. You will need to know what size fittings that you will need, as well as the right size of pipe for the most perfect fit that you can have. Some plumbing parts will have a standard size, and if you are not sure what size it is that you need for your plumbing, you can just buy the standard, and be sure that you will be able to use them in some project down the road that has to do with plumbing.

Many times plumbers will offer discount plumbing supplies if you have a large plumbing job for them to do. This is because they probably got the parts at a discount in the first place, and you can then get a discount from the plumber as well. If you have a plumber that will only charge you cost for the parts and supplies, that is a great deal. You know some plumbers make a lot of money off the supplies that they will use to get the job done. But to have plumber only charge their customers cost for the supplies is great. You will not find many plumbers that will do this, but if you have a plumber that is your friend, you just might get lucky in the money saving department.

If you can use used parts, you might be able to find many discount plumbing supplies that you will be able to use. While not every part that you might come across used, will be able to be reused, you might be able to save some money and cut some corners by using some used parts. This is a great help to anyone that is trying to get a plumbing job on a budget themselves, and you will be glad that you checked out the used parts as well when you were looking for a discount.

As you can see, there are many ways to get discount plumbing supplies that you need. Just because the piece is not brand new does not mean that you can not use it. Always be sure that your plumbing parts have a tight fit for the best results, and you will not go wrong.

Carl has been a professional plumber in a company he owns for more than 10 years not only is he experience in unclogging just about anything but also an expert in installing plumbing fixtures and installing new water lines. Carl will give you some helpful tips on plumbing installation when you visit http://www.alliedesolutions.com

Plumbing - U-Trap Pipe Replacement

A few weeks ago, our family noticed water coming out of the cabinets around the kitchen and bathroom sinks. With a little inspection, we discovered the same problem in each case was at fault. The U-trap pipe was leaking due to being worn out from years of use. The pipe as its name suggests is U-shaped.

The importance of the U-trap other than keeping your floor dry and getting rid of water is that because some water is in the bottom of the pipe at all times, this helps prevent sewer gases from entering your home and harming you or your loved ones.

After diagnosing the problem, the next step is to go to the hardware store and get a replacement. Other than a flashlight (no matches or open fire source!), you will need a pipe wrench(only if you can't use your fingers to remove the nuts holding the pipe) and replacement pipe (either metal or PVC). You should check the pipe to see if you can remove it without a wrench, thus saving you some money if you don't need one, providing there is not one in the toolkit already. A word about pipe wrenches: You know that number they give such as 18"? That refers to the handle length AND the full opened width of the wrench jaws. Confusing, huh? Just be sure you pay for what you need.

After getting what you need from the store, unscrew the collars or nuts around the pipe, gently move it a bit to see if it moves, then pull out of position, and insert the new pipe and appropriate hardware. See that it is secure. Turn on the water. Check for leaks. If you have anymore problems with leaks from the same source, recheck all pipe connections for the U-pipe and P-pipe. The P-pipe is the one that leads from the U-trap pipe into the wallpipe connection, which, as the name suggests is the pipe leading into the wall and from there the sewer.

C. O. IRBY, III
bingle42@yahoo.com
I learned home improvement by doing it myself, but since I'm still learning I would be glad to hear from you any tips you have. I live in a 50+ year old house.

How to Tackle a Leaking Tap without a Plumber

It’s nice when the man of the house is a jack of all trades. Knowing a little carpentry, knowing about electrical issues, and being able to perform a little plumbing is a great asset. However, some men aren’t as handy as others, and a plumbing problem such as a tap leak can send you running straight for the telephone to call a plumber.

Having a leaking tap is very terrible! What if all the plumbers were out for a vacation during summer? Would you wait for the next season before your leaking problems be fixed? Of course not, and the bottom line is that you could probably handle this yourself regardless. Maybe it’s time to put down the phone and learn a little bit about handling the small jobs yourself.

If you have never experienced fixing a leaking tap your whole life, this is the perfect time to practice. Remember to be patient, especially if this is your first time doing this. You can’t expect to transform into a plumber at the drop of a hat.

If you don’t have a clue on how to fix a leaking tap, look for old books in your house. There might be some easy and quick steps on how to fix it yourself. It would be better to look for the pages with illustrations in it so you can go through it properly and follow the procedures at once.

Here are some simple steps that might help you fix that leak. You need to have some equipment such as screw drivers or wrenches. You will also need a new washer to replace the old one. Patience is the last thing that you need in order to successfully manage that leaking tap.

First, find a shirt that is not your favorite. Of course plumbing is not a very clean process so you should wear a shirt that is used only at home. Find something that is comfortable. Be ready to face dirt and all slime and indulge in a bath later.

Now, turn off the main cork. Be ready to get things started. Next, you should take a spanner and uncork the top of the tap. If you have finished removing it, remove the damaged or the broken washer and replace it with a new one. The replacement you will be using should be durable and with high quality. Now you can cover it again and you should tighten it with a spanner so that it will not leak again.

Now your job is already done and it was fun and easy right? Now, if that tap leaks again, you can easily do it next time without the help of the plumber.

Jo Williams has an interest in Home & Garden and Leaking Tap, for more FREE information and articles please visit Leaking Tap Resources