Tornadoes and Plumbing Do Not Mix

Following a tornado impact in your area, there are several things that may break down in your house. Most people may concentrate on holes, roofing problems and broken glass; however, your plumbing system could also be at risk. If you are not familiar with the methods a tornado can trigger plumbing issues in your home, take a look at the items below.

Examine for functionality

When you have concluded that your home is fundamentally firm and you are prepared to test your plumbing, the first step is to make sure that everything’s working as designed. Walk throughout your home and cut on all the faucets, ensure that you can get water to flow through faucets and showerheads, and flush all the toilets.

As you evaluate each fixture, pay attention to how the water acts. Is the toilet draining slowly? Is the water pressure lower after the tornado? Do some of the water pipes make sounds when providing water to a specific room? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, it would be in your best interest to call a plumber to execute a more detailed test of your pipes.

 

Review plumbing equipment

The next task is to review any gear that is a piece of your plumbing system. This may involve pumps, water heaters, conditioning systems and any device linked to the plumbing.

The purpose all through this segment of the inspection has two parts. Your first item to look out for… is whether or not the tornado triggered a leak in any of the linked water pipes. After you have seen that there aren’t noticeable leaks, you need to ensure the gear itself is not cracked, bent or somehow damaged. As inspecting appliances go – Appliances like washers and dishwasher, running a test load to make sure that water flows and exits out of drains as designed.

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How Do you Change the Water Temperature?

A broken water heater which is not functioning at its greatest potential could be stealing energy away from your home and your very own piggy bank. However working to make easy changes, such as modifying your water heater’s temperature can fix this issue. Lowering your water temperature might also decrease your water heating bill by upwards of 5%. But before jumping on that, it’ll be to your advantage to have some tips. Here’s a short outline to checking your water heater temperature.

Modifying Electric Water Heater Temperature

Altering the water temperature on an electric heater is stress-free. These types of water heaters include temperature instruments on the unit. Change the thermostat by hand to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid being shocked – if your thermostat is covered, ensure that you turn off the electricity first before creating the thermostat adjustment.

Plus several electric water heaters consist of 2 thermostats: one at the bottom and another at the top. Please make sure to change both thermostats.

 

Evaluating your Water Temperature

Evaluating your water heater temperature doesn’t involve expensive tools; a common kitchen thermometer will pull off the task. Cut on your water, and then allow the water to flow at the hottest configuration for a few minutes. Now carefully gather the hot water in a bucket to prepare it for testing. Utilize the cooking thermometer to evaluate the water directly after gathering it.

The best water temperature should be around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Any reading above 130 degrees Fahrenheit can really be dangerous, heading towards bacteria development, which can be hazardous to your health.

 

Modifying Oil Water Heater Temperature

If you are having problems with your oil water heater, the right thing to do is to contact a professional. Changing the temperature on these types of water heaters can be quite tricky, and inaccurate adjustments can result in burning yourself. A plumber can usually set up a mixing valve, which is a thermostat device that makes it simpler for someone to modify the temperature.

 

Modifying Gas Water Heater Temperature

Regarding gas water heaters, there is just one thermostat control, which resides at the bottom. The thermostat is usually a dial that is controlled by turning. Again, if the adjuster is under a cover, shut off the electricity before changing it.

 

Advantages of Contacting a Professional

If modifying your water heater temperature isn’t working, think about contacting a plumber. Plumbers can assist in determining if there’s a problem with your water heater that can be fixed, or if you’ll need to replace the unit.

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Is Plumbers Putty Toxic?

Plumbers putty is a substance that is similar to clay. It’s used during the installation of sinks, drainpipes, and valves. Basically, the putty works to seal areas exposed to unpressurized water (such as water standing in a sink), therefore preventing leaks. One of the biggest advantages of plumber’s putty is that it will create a water-tight seal, making it great for situations where 100% waterproof sealing is warranted. Here’s a closer look at what plumber’s putty is…

Plumber’s putty’s clay-like make-up helps make it easy to mold and fun to work with. Standard clay is the main element in plumber’s putty, however different manufacturing companies use a variety of components to construct their products uniquely. Some of the primary additives in the creation of plumber’s putty include talc, fish oil blends, linseed oil, and limestone.

As you can probably tell from the list of ingredients – Plumber’s putty wouldn’t be toxic unless secondary ingredients get in the way. So be careful which Plumber’s putty product you buy! That being said – Plumber’s putty shouldn’t be used as a children’s toy. Some types may include petroleum products.

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Can Plumber’s Putty Stop a Leak?

Plumber’s putty may only be used to prevent or stop leaks in specific areas. It shouldn’t be used interchangeably with other products such as caulk or tape. Before you attempt to repair a leak, determine whether plumber’s putty is the correct tool for the task.

Due to its oil content it is best used on formica counter-tops. Plumber’s putty should be avoided when working with granite and marble since it may stain those types of surfaces. If you do have a granite or marble countertop, you should try to utilize a water-based silicone sealant.

Plumber’s putty has it’s primary purpose as to create a secure seal between a faucet and a kitchen counter-top.

Additionally, it may bе leveraged tо seal self-rimming stainless-steel kitchen sinks related to countertops. Apply thе putty оn thе sink edge, аnd place іt іn thе space made tо fit thе sink. Apply pressure as you tighten the clips on the sink and when the surplus putty pops out, just remove it with a non-metallic putty knife.

Just like setting sinks, I use putty to set sink drains, tub drains, faucets and even use it on the bolts that secure a toilet tank to a bowl.

So again, putty shouldn’t be the first and only option when fixing a leak. Remember to shut off your water first and to look at using caulk or tape to seal it, plus calling a professional plumber to ensure work is a permanent solution!

 

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