If you’re a homeowner and have had to call a plumber to fix a problem, you know how expensive and annoying it can be. Wouldn’t it be great if you could fix your plumbing yourself? Well, it might be easier than you think! Read on to find out how.

Avoid using harsh chemicals to clear clogged drains by purchasing a hand-held manual auger. A drain auger is a one-time purchase as opposed to purchasing a new bottle every time a drain is clogged. This is especially helpful for people who deal with clogged drains often, such as people with long hair or kids who like to drop things down the drain.

Having to wiggle the toilet handle or hold it down to get your toilet to fully flush indicates that the tank parts need to be replaced. Kits that include all of the parts needed can be purchased in any hardware or home improvement store to easily do the repair yourself.

While it may seem like a seemingly harmless thing to do, never run potato peels through your garbage disposal. The chemical make up of this seemingly harmless food allows the potato to turn into a thick, viscous substance that can wreak havoc on the disposal itself, with the potential to render it completely useless.

If your home operates on well water and you notice pink or orange stains in your bathtub and other fixtures, this is due to iron in the water. This is something that needs to be taken care of by water softener, which you can buy at a store or have a company come out to your house and take care of it for you.

When it comes to plumbing, there is never an unsolvable problem. If you feel yourself becoming frustrated with the project, you should try to take a break from what you are working on. The greatest mistakes start to happen when you become angry and inpatient, so take a break and walk outside.

Be sure that you check on your water meter when it is not being used. Then, check on the meter 8 hours later. If the meter has changed, even a small amount, this could be a sign that there is an undetected water leak, which can be a severe problem.

As you can see, solving your plumbing problems yourself can be a satisfying way to save money and take care of your house independently. Next time you have a plumbing problem, you’ll be ready to tackle the issue yourself with the tips you’ve taken from this article.

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First of all PVC pipes are an incomparable mixture of toughness, flexibility, corrosion resistance and pipes are very easy to handle. PVC pipes are in different sizes and fit for all needs.

You can buy PVC pipe in sizes of 1/2″, 3/4″ 1″, 1-1/4″, 1-1/2″, 2″, 2-1/2″, 3″ etc. Usually the pipes name is based on the inside diameter but it is not very precise. It is another measurement called Schedule (Sched. or Sch.) for wall thickness. There are Sch 40, Sch 80 and Sch 200 pipes. To clarify, all 3  ̎ pipe despite of it’s Schedule 40,80 or 200 will always have the same outside diameter and fill be available for all 3 ̎ plastic pipe fittings. Sch 80 PVC pipe wall is thickness is greatest and therefore  most strongest. Schedule 40 is most used in plumbing.

For example:

2″ PVC pipe Sch 40 has a nominal inside diameter of 2″ and outside diameter of 2-3/8″. Thereby the socket for 2″ fittings is approximately 2-3/8″ in diameter.

Pipe markings differ in North America- NPS  and Europe DN (diameter nominal).

NPS (nominal pipe size) in two non-decimal numbers-diameter in inches and Schedule for wall thickness.

DN sizes are measured in milimetres.

Based on the NPS and schedule of a pipe, the pipe outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness can be obtained from reference tables such as those below, which are based on ASME standards B36.10M and B36.19M. For example, NPS 14 Sch 40 has an OD (outside diameter)  of 14 inches and a wall thickness of 0.437 inches. However the NPS and OD values are not always equal, which can create confusion.

Search for Harvel Clear™, one of today’s leading PVC pipe manufacturers website, and investigate state-of-the-art design using computer-generated stress analysis for optimum PVC pipe strength and performance.

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Today, across the USA, parts of Europe and the rest of the World, the use of plastic pipework for a wide variety of applications is becoming increasingly popular, especially in the last 15-20 years. There are several types of plastic  used by pipework contractors for varying purposes in construction. Some of the more popular plastic pipework includes Polyvinyl Chloride, Polyethylene and Cross-Linked Polyethylene.

Polyethylene (PE) Pipework

Polyethylene pipework is a common form of plastic appropriate for piping applications in tubing for rural water wells, underground irrigation and landscaping or farm drainage due to its higher flexibility in relation to the vinyls, although this is at the expense of a more workable strength. Polyethylene is composed from 100% ethylene and it is the lack of chlorine and this composition that gives PE plastic pipework it’s higher flexibility.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Plastic Pipework

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is arguably the most well-known of all the plastics, even outside of pipework and is today the most widely used of all plastics for pipe and fittings in construction. PVC pipework provides a balance of workable strength and cost effectiveness, leading it to be utilised for many pressure and non-pressure applications. Polyvinyl Chloride is generally one of the oldest plastics being used for pressure pipework, being used as far back as post World War I. PVC pipes tend to be considered one of the more rigid plastics and has also found widespread application in other pipework areas such as electrical conduit, process piping, commercial drains, irrigation, water mains and sewage.

Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX)

Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX) is a modified form of Polyethylene that has its molecular bond strengthened to enhance physical properties such as heat, chemical and crack resistance, making it ideal for hyrdronic transportation and hyrdronic heating (hot water).

Benefits and Limits

Plastic pipework provides numerous advantages to pipework contractor that has seen solid growth across the globe, especially over the last 15-20 years. Chief reasons of this growth and more widespread use in application has come through the plastic pipework’s properties of being light weight (in relation to copper and galvanised steel pipework), the ease of assembly during installation and low labour costs. This is on top of the more chemical based properties of having excellent chemical and corrosion resistance (again compared to copper and galvanised steel pipework).

 The limitations of plastic pipework mainly rest on its pressure capacity of up to 250PSI (Pressure per Square Inch) and the temperature restrictions of anything over 200F

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PEX tubes require fewer fittings as they involve less breakages and leakages. As compared to earlier rigid and tough plumbing units, PEX fittings are more flexible and durable units. Since these fittings do not involve soldering, there are no risks of nasty fumes attached with them. Tubing used for plumbing are weaved in reels as it is cost efficient and easy to use because of their reduced weight and warehousing space. In comparison to other types of tubes, PEX tubing involves less shipment cost. Some of the PEX tubing can be directly installed by using fewer fittings. Such fittings are composed of highly durable form of brass and copper so that they can be used for delivering long lasting benefits.

Installation of PEX tubing with these fittings is very easy and simple. It is done by inserting a PEX tube fitting over a pipe or tube and then by pinching a copper ring. Apart from this, there are other simple methods also, which are used for making connections and joints. One of them is done by using stainless steel fittings clamps to obtain maximum durability. Almost all types of PEX fittings are made up of brass and only few are manufactured by using plastic. The PEX tube fittings crafted by brass are covered by an extra layer of coating to make them corrosion and rust resistant.

Basic tools required for a standard crimping method of PEX tubing installation are de-crimping tool, pipe cutter and crimping tool. These tools are used with all kinds of fittings. A de-crimping tool is utilized to eliminate rings made up of copper from other fittings and tubes. The pipe cutter is extensively used to cut the tube to required size before using it for final installation. Main crimping tools used for numerous PEX fittings are available in varied sizes and dimensions.

PEX fittings can be made up of copper, stainless steel, lead or brass but the most efficient one is prepared from brass. As compared to other plastic and metal products, these PEX fittings are cost effective, simple to use and highly flexible that can be used for a break free and corrosion resistant plumbing system.

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There are 3 main mechanical methods for connecting two lengths of tube together.

1. Flared fittings – where the end of the tube is flared with a tool and then contained within a nut, sleeve and body.
2. Single ferrule fittings – where the ends of the tube are placed into a fitting with a single compression ring, a body and nut.
3. Double ferrule fittings – where the ends of the tube are placed into a fitting with two separate compression rings, body and nut. (Also known as the twin ferrule fitting, this is not strictly correct as the two rings are of different shape and length.)

For the purposes of this article the focus will be on the double ferrule fitting.

This style of tube fittings, like all the others, has one basic function. To securely join tubes together in a safe, seal tight assembly. Close tolerance machining on high quality CNC machines allows for consistent production of all components.

The double ferrule fitting has the ability to lock onto the tube with a ‘double bite’ feature. Each ring bites in to the tube giving two separate sealing areas. This style of fitting does so without transmitting torque or twisting the tube ensuring that the tube does not become ‘stressed’. Therefore, the mechanical properties of the tube are maintained. A further sealing point occurs at the bottom of the tube abutment. The abutment has an angle which the tube is forced into when the rings bite and drive the tube forward.

With stainless steel fittings the problem of galling is resolved by the use of silver plating. The internal parts of the nut are the only areas that are plated.

Materials such as high Nickel alloys, high temperature alloys, duplex and super-duplex’s are coated with an anti-gall agent in the same way. However, Molybdenum Disulphide can be used as an alternative. These materials are selected in order to be compatible with the fluid media contained within them. For chemical stability the ideal situation is that both tube and fittings are manufactured from the same material type.

There are strict assembly instructions to follow with this product type. The rule states that for the majority of sizes 1-1/4 rotations of the nut, from the finger tight position, will give the correct seal tight assembly. It is permissible to further ‘snug’ the fitting if a minor leak appears but this is normally unnecessary.

When access to any system is required these tube fittings provide an excellent ‘break-in’ point. The joint can be made and re-made many times over without loss of sealing integrity, providing the correct installation instructions are followed.

The strength of the fitting is such that the tube contained will burst before the fitting shows any sign of a leak or movement. This is subject to certain constraints on the wall thickness of the tube. If the wall is too heavy the rings will not bite as well, as when the tube wall is too thin, the tube will collapse rather than allow the rings to bite fully. Reference to the manufacturers’ product information should be made in all instances. The tube should generally have a hardness of no more than 80 on the Rockwell ‘B’ scale.

There are a number of manufacturers of this product type around the world and they generally contain the term ‘LOK’ in their product name. The major manufacturers encourage users of this product type not to inter-change different products. It is deemed as sacrilege to mix parts from different producers. It must be realised that, with the possible exception of two manufacturers, all bar none are based on the same original design. (The same inventor then went on to design a further two versions of the original design, the two exceptions mentioned previously.) Interchangeability in this product is actually advertised as a positive by some companies. Those same companies quite often offer part number cross referencing in their product literature.

This product is used in many industries including the following:

1. Petrochemical
2. Oil & Gas
3. Water
4. Paper production
5. Hydraulic
6. High pressure systems.
7. Nuclear
8. Offshore
9. Pharmaceuticals
10. Food & Beverage
11. Pneumatics
12. Cryogenics
13. Emission control

Tube fittings are produced in a vast range of styles with manufacturers offering tees, elbows, unions, male connectors, female connectors and many others. Reducers allow the installers to change from one tube size to another, even from metric to imperial. Unlike the flared fitting, there is no set standard to manufacture the double ferrule fittings to. However, certain unwritten rules apply and all producers use the same method of distinguishing between metric and imperial fittings. A step, or shoulder, is machined on to the metric fitting body below the hexagon portion, and on the front end of the nut. This is also clearly seen in all the manufacturers’ literature.

How To Use Compression Fittings With Plastic Tubes

Some folks are familiar with compression tube fittings. After all, the average household nowadays has at least one compression fitting installed in its water line.

Value Plastic BDF18-81 Build-a-Part Tube Fitting, 1/8-27 NPT

Value Plastic BDF18-81 Build-a-Part Tube Fittings, 1/8-27 NPT Thread White ABS (pack of 25) Overview. Value Plastics manufactures plastic tube fittings and connectors to join tubing to commonly-used threaded ports.

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Valves can be considered as fittings but are normally referred to as a separate category. Plumbing fittings, just like their pipe material counterparts, can be of a metal or plastic material base. However, a fitting with a movable valve will be generally made of metal, mostly brass.

Building codes will also be a determining factor for what fixture and pipe materials will be selected in the construction of specific areas of a building. As such, taking extreme water temperature, vibration and other stresses within the assembly environment into consideration will dictate what the appropriate pipe and fixture material should be.

Piping will commonly be made of copper, brass, steel and the plastics CPVC and PVC. The industry standard list of plumbing fittings are Tees, elbows, crosses, caps, barbs, nipples and plugs. These fittings are in all shapes and sizes. A full description of each part can be obtained online or in standard plumbing manuals which are also available online.

One can also find free, information online to guide one on what fittings can be used to comply with specific building codes within a specific Geo-targeted area. Other common but more involved plumbing fittings are used for very specific purposes. For instance, a plumber will install a Clean-out which allows one to easily open and clean out an obstructed drain without the extra work of removing the existing plumbing fixtures.Clean-Outs are placed in strategically easy locations throughout a drainage system within and outside the building structure.

They normally have screw on top caps that give the maintenance engineer and easy access to every part of the system. The maintenance worker uses an ‘auger’ or snake to remove clogging within the section.

Another common fixture, the combo-tee is a bent pipe fixture that allows a plumber to easily remove any obstruction that is clogging the pipe with a snake. The bend is designed specifically to easily accommodate the curved motion of the snake, making cleaning very effective.

Connection types: pipes can be connected simply by thread-pipe, screw on and off arrangement.

A Coupler is used to join together two pipes of dissimilar size. It should be obvious that there are many different types and can be custom fabricated if necessary.

A Union is a threaded coupling used which works like a large nut. The threading on both sides allows for easy assembly and dis-assembly of two pipes.Soldering is used by heating flux which will permanently join two pipes.PVC piping is permanently joined in a similar way with solvent welding. This will allow PVC to be joined without heating or melting the plastic piping.

Steel, specifically stainless steel compression tube fittings and pipe are used in an environment that is highly prone to corrosion.Where liquid or gases need to be in an absolute leak-sealed transport tube and fixture system, stainless steel is the first material to be carefully considered.

Also the material of choice for most petrochemical and food processing applications, stainless steel fittings, connectors, braces and pipes can also be found to be most reliable with minimal inspection, replacement or maintenance.

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These plastic pipes are mostly used for drinking water distribution and waste water drainage system. In simple words, these pipes are multi-purpose and one can buy them at very affordable prices. However, before you move out and buy plastic drainage pipes, there are certain things that need to be taken into consideration.

• Plastic pipes tend to expand and contract and therefore, necessary arrangements need to be done
• Never put heavy load on these pipes as they can easily bend
• Don’t use these pipes in extreme heat conditions
• Never bind these pipes rigidly at their ends
• Due protection from nails while installing them
• Make sure that there are no rocks while installing these pipes and they are laid on the trench bottom

Now when it comes to buying these plastic drainage pipes, you can visit any brick and mortar shop and check out the range. However, you should do a fair amount of market research before you buy these pipes. There are a number of online sellers as well, which come up with a wider range of pipes at very affordable prices. Be it plastic drainage or geocomposite drainage, you will get each and everything here at highly competitive prices. The only things you need to know is the pros and cons of these pipes and use them accordingly so as to get the maximum benefit.

‘AQUA’ provides a comprehensive range of drainage systems at competitive prices. Slotted plastic drainage pipes were later followed by plastic catch-pits.

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A qualified plumber is able to use his technical skills to adeptly solve any broken water pipe or fitting related problem, whether the repair, replacement or installation of a new line is required. However there are some tasks that you can do manually, these will usually be explained by the plumber.

The water supply pipes are typically composed of copper or plastic, and can be 3mm, 2cm or 2.5 cm in circumference. Copper is a perfect material to use as it lasts longer and is less prone to mineral accumulation than other metals, however for a more cost effective solution you can use non-corrosive plastic piping.

Fittings are made from either brass or plastic. The pipe material will determine what type of fittings should be used. To ensure that both features are properly sealed and that their metals do not create a problematic reaction, maintaining the correct combination between pipe and fitting materials is essential.

There are some characteristic pipe problems which can affect your plumbing. To fix a burst pipe, you can simply replace the faulty section with a new one. You may want to ask a professional plumber to help you out with the attachment of the pipe to the fitting. Additionally, you can put waterproof tape over the section that is leaking which will provide a temporary solution.

Pipe sweating is an additional pipe-related problem you may encounter. You may notice moisture drops forming on the pipe when the water inside the pipe is considerably colder than the humid air outside. Self-adhesive tape can be used to insulate the pipe which should help control the problem. Wipe the pipes off and then securely tape the pipe and fittings so that they are completely covered.

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Pipe fittings, like pipes themselves, come in different types of material. They can be made of strainless steel, copper, or PVC (which is short for polyvinyl chloride) to name a few. While many are rounded, there are other types of fittings. Male and female, plain end bell or socket, pipe clamp ends, or ribs are just a few. They are as varied as the pipes they connect and have varied requirements for strength depending upon the pipes and the material that they are expected to funnel, whether it is solid or liquid.

The best sources of pipe fittings are the local hardware or plumbing store. While it is sometimes possible to mix materials for pipes and the fitting it is not recommended. Most times the material for the fitting should match the material used for the existing pipes. Depending upon whether the goal is to join two full pipes or to repair a crack in an existing pipe without digging out the entirety of the system, purchasing a threading dies may also be recommended. Large retail stores may provide the items that a person needs but a plumbing store might be required for unusual prospects such as joining two pipes of different diameters.

Cost of pipe fittings varies by material and purpose. While there are exceptions, PVC pipe fittings typically cost less (in the range of a few dollars) than do stainless steel fittings, which can costs about $6 or $7. A specialized fitting, like those for infrared tube heaters, can cost as much as $80 or more. These also often require shopping at very specialized stores or online, which can add costs for shipping and handling. Depending upon a person’s budget shopping for these items in mass when they are on sale can save not only considerable money, but time later on as they will be available when they are needed and will not require a special trip to the plumbing store to obtain them.

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Water supply lines are typically composed of copper or plastic. The main difference between the two are: Copper last longer and are less prone to mineral accumulation. while plastic is cheaper, easier to install and non-corrosive. Thus, a choice has to be made among the two when you engage your interior designer.

Fittings are made from plastic or brass, the pipe material will determine the suitable fittings to be used. It is important to ensure the correct combination between pipe and fitting materials and both features are properly sealed so the metals do not to create a problematic reaction.

To fix a burst pipe, you can simply replace the faulty section with a new one. For leaking pipes, you can put waterproofing tape over the leaking to provide a temp solution. Another pipe related problem is pipe sweating. Moisture and drops form on the pipe whenever the water inside the pipe is colder than the humid temperature outside. You can apply self-adhesive tape to control the problem. Wipe the pipes dry and then securely tape the pipe and fittings so they are covered completely.

If all else fails, no worries, just call your reliable plumber to solve your plumbing headaches!

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