Simple Plumbing Repairs For The Home and Farmstead
Simple Plumbing Repairs For The Home and Farmstead
Simple Plumbing Repairs For The Home and Farmstead
2202: Simple
Plumbing for the Home, by Anonymous
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
Title: USDA Farmers' Bulletin No. 2202: Simple Plumbing for the Home
Author: Anonymous
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIMPLE PLUMBING FOR THE HOME ***
SIMPLE
PLUMBING
REPAIRS
■ for the Home
and Farmstead
CONTENTS
Page
Repairing water faucets and valves 1
Frostproof hydrants 4
Repairing leaks in pipes and tanks 5
Pipes 5
Tanks 7
Water hammer 8
Frozen water pipes 8
Preventing freezing 8
Thawing 8
Repairing water closets 9
Flushing mechanism 9
Bowl removal 10
Tank "sweating" 12
Clearing clogged drains 12
Fixture and floor drains 12
Outside drains 13
Tools and spare parts 13
Emergencies 14
Prepared by
Northeastern Region
Agricultural Research Service
Washington, D.C.
Revised December 1972
You can save money and avoid delays by making minor plumbing
repairs yourself.
Jobs that a farmer or homeowner can do with a few basic tools include:
PRECAUTIONS
Polluted water or sewage may carry such diseases as typhoid fever and
amoebic dysentery. If you do your own plumbing work, be sure that—
FROSTPROOF HYDRANTS
Frostproof hydrants are basically faucets, although they may differ
somewhat in design from ordinary faucets.
Two important features of a frostproof hydrant are: (1) The valve is
installed under ground—below the frostline—to prevent freezing, and (2)
the valve is designed to drain the water from the hydrant when the valve is
closed.
Figure 3 shows one type of frostproof hydrant. It works as follows:
When the handle is raised, the piston rises, opening the valve. Water flows
from the supply pipe into the cylinder, up through the riser, and out the
spout. When the handle is pushed down, the piston goes down, closing the
valve and stopping the flow of water. Water left in the hydrant flows out the
drain tube into a small gravel-filled dry well or drain pit.
Repairing Leaks
Pipes that are split by hard freezing must be replaced.
A leak at a threaded connection can often be stopped by unscrewing the
fitting and applying a pipe joint compound that will seal the joint when the
fitting is screwed back together.
Small leaks in a pipe can often be repaired with a rubber patch and
metal clamp or sleeve. This must be considered as an emergency repair job
and should be followed by permanent repair as soon as practicable.
Large leaks in a pipe may require cutting out the damaged section and
installing a new piece of pipe. At least one union will be required unless the
leak is near the end of the pipe. You can make a temporary repair with
plastic or rubber tubing. The tubing must be strong enough to withstand the
normal water pressure in the pipe. It should be slipped over the open ends
of the piping and fastened with pipe clamps or several turns of wire.
Vibration sometimes breaks solder joints in copper tubing, causing
leaks. If the joint is accessible, clean and resolder it. The tubing must be dry
before it can be heated to soldering temperature. Leaks in places not readily
accessible usually require the services of a plumber and sometimes of both
a plumber and a carpenter.
Tanks
Leaks in tanks are usually caused by corrosion. Sometimes, a safety
valve may fail to open and the pressure developed will spring a leak.
While a leak may occur at only one place in the tank wall, the wall may
also be corroded thin in other places. Therefore, any repair should be
considered as temporary, and the tank should be replaced as soon as
possible.
A leak can be temporarily repaired with a toggle bolt, rubber gasket,
and brass washer, as shown in figure 6. You may have to drill or ream the
hole larger to insert the toggle bolt. Draw the bolt up tight to compress the
rubber gasket against the tank wall.
WATER HAMMER
Water hammer sometimes occurs when a faucet is suddenly closed.
When the flow of water is suddenly stopped, its kinetic energy is expended
against the walls of the piping. This causes the piping to vibrate, and leaks
or other damage may result.
Water hammer may be prevented or its severity reduced by installing an
air chamber just ahead of the faucet. The air chamber may be a piece of air-
filled pipe or tubing, about 2 feet long, extending vertically from the pipe. It
must be airtight. Commercial devices designed to prevent water hammer are
also available.
An air chamber requires occasional replenishing of the air to prevent it
from becoming water-logged—that is, full of water instead of air.
A properly operating hydropneumatic tank, such as the type used in
individual water systems, serves as an air chamber, preventing or reducing
water hammer.
Preventing Freezing
Pipes may be insulated to prevent freezing, but this is not a completely
dependable method. Insulation does not stop the loss of heat from the pipe
—merely slows it down—and the water may freeze if it stands in the pipe
long enough at below-freezing temperature. Also, if the insulation becomes
wet, it may lose its effectiveness.
Electric heating cable can be used to prevent pipes from freezing. The
cable should be wrapped around the pipe and covered with insulation.
Thawing
Use of electric heating cable is a good method of thawing frozen pipe,
because the entire heated length of the pipe is thawed at one time.
Thawing pipe with a blowtorch can be dangerous. The water may get
hot enough at the point where the torch is applied to generate sufficient
steam under pressure to rupture the pipe. Steam from the break could
severely scald you.
Thawing pipe with hot water is safer than thawing with a blowtorch.
One method is to cover the pipe with rags and then pour the hot water over
the rags.
When thawing pipe with a blowtorch, hot water, or similar methods,
open a faucet and start thawing at that point. The open faucet will permit
steam to escape, thus reducing the chance of the buildup of dangerous
pressure. Do not allow the steam to condense and refreeze before it reaches
the faucet.
Underground metal pipes can be thawed by passing a low-voltage
electric current through them. The current will heat the entire length of pipe
through which it passes. Both ends of the pipe must be open to prevent the
buildup of steam pressure.
CAUTION: This method of thawing frozen pipe can be dangerous and
should be done by an experienced person only. It cannot be used to thaw
plastic tubing or other non-electricity-conducting pipe or tubing.
Flushing Mechanism
Figure 7 shows a common type of flushing mechanism. Parts that
usually require repair are the flush valve, the intake (float) valve, and the
float ball.
In areas of corrosive water, the usual copper flushing mechanism may
deteriorate in a comparatively short time. In such cases, it may be advisable
to replace the corroded parts with plastic parts. You can even buy plastic
float balls.
Flush Valve
The rubber ball of the flush valve may get soft or out of shape and fail
to seat properly. This causes the valve to leak. Unscrew the ball from the lift
wire and install a new one.
The trip lever or lift wire may corrode and fail to work smoothly, or the
lift wire may bind in the guides. Disassemble and clean off corrosion or
replace parts as necessary.
Most plumbing codes require a cutoff valve in the supply line to the
flush tank, which makes it unnecessary to close down the whole system
(fig. 7). If this valve was not installed, you can stop the flow of water by
propping up the float with a piece of wood. Be careful not to bend the float
rod out of alignment.
Bowl Removal
An obstruction in the water closet trap or leakage around the bottom of
the water-closet bowl may require removal of the bowl. Follow this
procedure:
Tank "Sweating"
When cold water enters a water closet tank, it may chill the tank enough
to cause "sweating" (condensation of atmospheric moisture on the outer
surface of the tank). This can be prevented by insulating the tank to keep
the temperature of the outer surface above the dew point temperature of
surrounding air. Insulating jackets or liners that fit inside water-closet tanks
and serve to keep the outer surface warm are available from plumbing-
supply dealers.
CLEARING CLOGGED DRAINS
Drains may become clogged by objects dropped into them or by
accumulations of grease, dirt, or other matter.
Outside Drains
Roots growing through cracks or defective joints sometimes clog
outside drains or sewers. You can clear the stoppage temporarily by using a
root-cutting tool. However, to prevent future trouble, you should re-lay the
defective portion of the line, using sound pipe and making sure that all
joints are watertight.[2]
[2] For information on laying sewers, see Agriculture Information Bulletin
274, "Farmstead Sewage and Refuse Disposal." For a free copy, send a post card
to the Office of Information, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
20250. Include your ZIP Code in your return address.
If possible, sewer lines should be laid out of the reach of roots. But if
this is impossible or impracticable, consider using impregnated fiber pipe
which tends to repel roots.
Always use the proper size wrench or screwdriver. Do not use pipe
wrenches on nuts with flat surfaces; use an adjustable or open-end wrench.
Do not use pipe wrenches on polished-surface tubings or fittings, such as
found on plumbing fixtures; use a strap wrench. Tight nuts or fittings can
sometimes be loosened by tapping lightly with a hammer or mallet.
It should not be necessary to stock a large number of spare parts. Past
plumbing troubles may give some indication as to the kind of parts most
likely to be needed. Spare parts should include:
Faucet washers and packing.
One or two lengths of the most common type and size of piping in the plumbing system.
Several unions and gaskets or unions with ground surfaces.
Several couplings and elbows.
A few feet of pipe strap.
An extra hose connection.
EMERGENCIES
Grouped below are emergencies that may occur and the action to take.
The name, address, and phone number of a plumber who offers 24-hour
service should be posted in a conspicuous place.
Burst pipe or tank.—Immediately cut off the flow of water by closing
the shutoff valve nearest to the break. Then arrange for repair.
Water closet overflow.—Do not use water closet until back in working
order. Check for and remove stoppage in closet bowl outlet, drain line from
closet to sewer, or sewer or septic tank. If stoppage is due to root entry into
pipe, repair of pipe at that point is recommended.
Rumbling noise in hot water tank.—This is likely a sign of overheating
which could lead to the development of explosive pressure (Another
indication of overheating is hot water backing up in the cold-water supply
pipe.) Cut off the burner immediately. Be sure that the pressure-relief valve
is operative. Then check (with a thermometer) the temperature of the water
at the nearest outlet. If above that for which the gage is set, check the
thermostat that controls burner cutoff. If you cannot correct the trouble, call
a plumber.
Cold house.—If the heating system fails (or if you close the house and
turn off the heat) when there is a chance of subfreezing weather, completely
drain the plumbing system. A drain valve is usually provided at the low
point of the water supply piping for this purpose. A pump, storage tank,
hot-water tank, water closet tank, water-treatment apparatus, and other
water-system appliances or accessories should also be drained. Put
antifreeze in all fixture and drain traps.
Hot-water and steam heating systems should also be drained when the
house temperature may drop below freezing.
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1972 O-478-903
Transcriber Note
Produced from material made availablel from the Internet
Archive and is placed in the Public Domain.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of USDA Farmers' Bulletin No. 2202:
Simple Plumbing for the Home, by Anonymous
*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIMPLE PLUMBING FOR THE HOME ***
Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will
be renamed.
Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright
law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works,
so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United
States without permission and without paying copyright
royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part
of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm
concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark,
and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive
specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this
eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook
for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports,
performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given
away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks
not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the
trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no
restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it
under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this
eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the
United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you
are located before using this ebook.
1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including
any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access
to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format
other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official
version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site
(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense
to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means
of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain
Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the
full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed
to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has
agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid
within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are
legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty
payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in
Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg
Literary Archive Foundation."
* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all
copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue
all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm
works.
* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
1.F.
1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO
OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in
accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the
production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses,
including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of
the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this
or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or
additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any
Defect you cause.
Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other
ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To
donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate
Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search
facility: www.gutenberg.org