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home
maintenance: the water system
The
plumbing in your house is made up of two systems: the
clean-water supply system & the waste water system.
Both systems require periodic attention to keep in good
operating condition. However, before you make any major
changes in your plumbing, find out what your local
plumbing codes require. Most communities have adopted
some type of plumbing code.
Clean
Water Supply
water
meter
You
have a water meter to measure water consumption for
billing purposes if you are on a city water supply or if
you purchase your water from a local water
association.
You
may use the meter, however, to discover how much water
you are using for a particular job. First you must learn
how to read it. Locate your meter & study the dial
carefully. You can usually tell how to read it. One type
reads like a car odometer; a second type reads like your
electric meter. Each of the five or six dials contributes
one number to the total digit. All meters have a special
pointer that makes a complete revolution for each cubic
foot of water consumed at a given time.
Shutoff
Valve
The
most important thing to know about the plumbing in the
house is the location of the main shutoff valve. If a
pipe breaks or the water heater bursts, turn off the main
shutoff valve fast. There also should be various "local"
shutoff valves. Locate them, too. There should be one
under each sink, on toilet tanks & on the washing
machine.
Water
Noises
"Water
hammer" is annoying but not serious. It is a phenomenon
that occurs when a valve abruptly stops the flow of
incoming water. The problem may be corrected by one of
these methods: replacing an "offending" faucet that is
spring-closed w/ one that is manually closed. The
manually closed one operates more slowly. reducing the
high water pressure by closing the main shutoff valve
slightly checking the temperature on the hot water
heater. It should never be above 140 °F. installing
a shock absorber to prevent the vibration. This is a job
for a professional plumber rather than a
do-it-yourselfer. |