DIY Plumbing Tips

Website design By BotEap.comPlumbing is a skilled and varied profession that incorporates many different areas of the trade. Some plumbing jobs should be left to a professional plumber for health and safety reasons. Plumbing jobs that involve working on gas pipes for central heating boilers should definitely be left to a professional gas fitter or heating engineer, as one mistake could cost you or someone else your life. There are many DIY plumbing repairs that you can do yourself without endangering yourself or anyone else.

Website design By BotEap.comThis article will discuss the topic of repairing a leaky pipe joint and tell you how to make an effective repair that will last. Leaky pipes can be annoying, to say the least, but a leaky faucet left unattended for a long period of time can cause a great deal of damage to your property. Most leaks come from poorly fitting pipe joints, these pipe joints can be found in a number of applications including the following.

• Kitchen sinks, bathroom traps and basin traps are all connected to the sewage pipe by a threaded joint; if the gasket leaks, it can damage the units, the floor, or anything under the gasket. The best way to remedy this type of leak is to remove the connection nut and make sure the rubber washer is in good condition and is present. The next step is to make sure the tubing is fully inserted into the trap fitting. A good idea is to bond the threaded portion of the trap with PTFE or thread tape to ensure a good seal.
• Leaks from compression joints or mechanical joints can also be corrected in a similar way. Compression joints do not normally require maintenance, but if they are disturbed or if the pipe they are connecting to is disturbed, the joint can begin to leak. If you find a leak at one of these joints, the best thing to do is isolate the water and completely drain the pipe. This can be done in most cases by opening the faucets. Carefully loosen the joint with a wrench; it is a good idea to have some sort of container or towel under the joint to catch any residual water that may be left in the pipe. Unscrew the nut completely then tape the treads at the joint with PTFE tape or use joint compound, retighten the nut and the repair is complete.