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10 Plumbing Terms You Need To Know If You Aren’t A Plumber | Sugar Land, TX
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1. Plumbing Trap
The plumbing trap, or the P-trap, is a piece of plumbing that, if it is working properly, you will not have to think about it. It is used to create a barrier in the drainpipe in your kitchen or bathroom, to prevent sewer gas from rising back up through the drain and into the house. It is also a handy place to catch a lost piece of jewelry if water has not been turned back on! Sewer gas naturally rises and would drift up into living spaces through these drains unless it gets blocked. The p-trap’s curve retains some water inside it, and this blocks the gas. If the drain is slowed or stopped, there might be a significant clog, which can be cleared by a Sugar Land, TX plumber.
2. T+P Valve
The T+P valve or the temperature and pressure relief valve is located on your hot water heater and is an important safety device in your home. If the temperature rises above a certain number or the pressure built up exceeds a specific psi, the valve will open and the pressure will be released. When this happens, there is often water released as well. Sometimes this is mistaken for a leak. It is best to contact a certified plumber to inspect and confirm whether a leak is present.
3. Plunger
A plunger is a tool used to help clear a clog in a pipe. They typically consist of a rubber suction cup, attached to a handle. They can be used in both sinks and toilets. Often the shape and size of the plunger will help you determine where it is designed to be used. This tool is one that can be used both commercially and personally. Every homeowner should have at least one plunger in the house. However, sometimes your plunger may not be strong enough to clear the blockage in your sinks or toilets. If that happens, it is time to call a plumber!
4. Grey + Black Water
Greywater and black water are two very different types of wastewater. Greywater is the wastewater that flows from sinks, showers, bathtubs, and washing machines. This type of wastewater contains fewer contaminants and can be more easily treated, processed, and reused. Recycled greywater is often used for irrigation, but it can also be used for flushing toilets.
Blackwater is the wastewater that flows from bathrooms and toilets that contain biological waste, as well as wastewater from dishwashers which could contain pathogens and grease. Blackwater is also treated and can be reused for irrigation. The process to treat black water is more complex than the systems for greywater.
5. Flapper
Yes, a flapper was a young woman in the 1920s, who had short skirts, short hair, and short tempers for the stiff culture of acceptable behavior. However, that is not the flapper being referred to on this list! This flapper is a rubber seal for the flush valve in the back of your toilet tank. An improperly seated flapper is one of the leading causes of a leaking or running toilet. If you suspect this is the cause, take a look in the tank to see if the seal is properly closed. If it is, and the toilet is still leaking, now is the time to call your local plumber.
6. Hard + Soft Water
The main difference between hard and soft water is the presence or absence of dissolved minerals. Hard water typically has an excess of magnesium and calcium. Rainfall is naturally soft water, but when it flows through the ground system, it can pick up these additional minerals. Soft water is preferred, as the hard water can damage your water systems inside your house, as well as cause your skin and hair to dry out. Both hard and soft water is safe to drink. Installing a water softener will actively decrease the effects of hard water. Contact your local Sugar Land, TX plumber to determine what you may need.
7. Float Valve
The float valve is another common piece of equipment in your toilet tank. It maintains the correct level of water in your tank. If the flapper is not working correctly, it will cause the float valve to stay open, as it attempts to fill the tank with enough water. A plumber can verify this problem as well.
8. Septic System + Tank
A septic system is a personal underground water treatment plant. These are often used in rural areas where centralized sewer systems are unavailable. The septic system consists of a septic tank and a drain field. There are several different types of septic systems, but they all use the same basic principles: the collection of wastewater, the treatment of wastewater, and the reintroduction of treated water back into the underground water tables.
9. Shutoff Valve
A shutoff valve is a very important piece of equipment and every homeowner should know where they are located as well as how to use them. Shutoff valves are located on sinks, toilets, and anywhere water comes into the residence. These valves are used to control the flow of water to household plumbing fixtures. Knowing where this is and how to use it can prevent a toilet from overflowing, and provide a temporary fix until a plunger or plumber can be found.
10. Auger
An auger is another specialized tool, like a plunger that is used by both a professional plumber and a standard homeowner. This term, auger, can reference several different tools, depending on the circumstances and context. For our purposes, this tool is being used in reference to household plumbing. It is relatively simple to use and consists of a rigid, but a flexible pipe, surrounded by a spring. Used to clear clogs, it can be especially helpful if the plunger is unavailable or didn’t work.
No matter why you need a Sugar Land, TX plumber, contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of West Houston today for free estimates!
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