In a different post with Victoria Plum, we talked about how plumbing establishes its humble yet astounding beginnings in ancient history and how many of today’s plumbing practices are less or more helpful than others. Now, here’s another set of amazing plumbing trivia that are both fun and helpful for your household.
Amazing AND Helpful Plumbing Trivia
- 7 Years Is The Maximum
Plumbing equipment and apparatuses are commonly durable. The materials they are made from are meant to endure wear-and-tear. They are resistant to corrosion, rust (or at least, most take years before rust begins to litter their surfaces), high amounts of pressure, and more.
That being said, many assume that such material characteristics allow plumbing fixtures to last for decades, to no end. But this is far from true. For a plumbing system to work efficiently (speed plus little-to-no water wasted), its parts need replacing after about 7 years.
Experts say that plumbing fixtures are at their optimum within that number and slowly deteriorate from the 8th year onward.
- Low-Flush Toilets Are Flushing Saviors
We’ve previously mentioned that traditional flushing toilets are among the culprits of water wastage in many households and business establishments. If you want to control the water volume used with every flush, and thus, save on this precious universal solvent (and save on our water bill), perhaps it’s time to consider its low-flush alternative.
Low-flush toilets, whether they are pressure-assisted or gravity-assisted, utilize lesser amounts of water compared to standard toilets.
These water-saviors use around 4.8 liters of water per flush whereas their standard cousins use 6 liters AND more. Add these numbers up and in the long run, you will find the low-flush variety a helpful apparatus for water and water bill-saving, indeed.
- The 8-Hour Water Meter Check
One tip you can observe with regards to monitoring water leaks in interior pipes is through the 8-hour water meter check.
Plumbing pros suggest that you first notate what the numbers on your water meter are, at the moment (when no water is used). For the next 8 hours, try your best not to use any water outlets in your house (preferably within the day, when everyone’s at the office or in school).
After said 8 hours, check the meter once more. If the numbers are higher than your original annotation, this means that there may be a leak in one or more of the house’s pipes.
- Valve That Overflowing Toilet
An overflowing toilet is always a green light for you to call your local plumbing professional. While you wait for them to arrive (and as the water continues to overflow from the toilet), you can easily locate where its valve is to turn it off.
Said valve is usually located within the toilet tank, and close to the latter’s base. It should be right above the flapper or the “seal” (the “seal” looks like a misshapen disc).
- Water Pressure Is Important, Too
Households don’t normally mind water pressure. A majority mainly have piping systems and water passageways checked. But not water pressure. Only, this variable is just as crucial as the rest.
If your home’s water pressure travels beyond 80 pounds/square inch, this may cause pipes to start leaking. Ask your plumbing contractor or Cincinnati Ohio Plumbing Services to install a simple water gauge for measuring H20 pressure.