,transcribers ,note ,text emphasis denoted as ,italics and ,bold4 ,,simple ,,plumbing ,,repairs for the ,home and ,farmstead ,illustration ,illustration ,farmers' ,bulletin ,no4 #bbjb ,u4,s4 ,,department ,,of ,,agriculture ,,contents ,page ,repairing water faucets and valves #a ,frostproof hydrants #d ,repairing leaks in pipes and tanks #e ,pipes #e ,tanks #g ,water hammer #h ,frozen water pipes #h ,preventing freezing #h ,thawing #h ,repairing water closets #i ,flushing mechanism #i ,bowl removal #aj ,tank sweating #ab ,clearing clogged drains #ab ,fixture and floor drains #ab ,outside drains #ac ,tools and spare parts #ac ,emergencies #ad ,prepared by ,northeastern ,region ,agricultural ,research ,service ,this bulletin supersedes ,farmers' ,bulletin #adfj1 ,simple ,plumbing ,repairs in the ,home4 ,washington1 ,d4,c4 ,revised ,december #aigb ,for sale by the ,superintendent of ,documents1 ,u4,s4 ,government ,printing3 ,office1 ,washington1 ,d4,c4 #bjdjb - ,price #ae cents ,stock ,number #jajj-jbfhd ,,simple ,,plumbing ,,repairs for the ,home and ,farmstead ,you can save money and avoid delays by making minor plumbing repairs yourself4 ,jobs that a farmer or homeowner can do with a few basic tools include3 ,repairing water faucets and valves4 ,repairing leaks in pipes and tanks4 ,thawing frozen pipes4 ,repairing water closets4 ,cleaning clogged drains4 ,extensive plumbing repairs or alterations in the plumbing system usually require authorization from local authorities and possibly inspection of the completed work4 ,therefore such work should be done by a qualified or licensed plumber4 ,,repairing ,,water ,,faucets ,,and ,,valves ,faucets and globe valves1 the type of shutoff valves commonly used in home water systems1 are very similar in construction 7fig4 #a7 and repair instructions given below apply to both4 ,your faucets or valves may differ somewhat in general design from the one shown in figure #a1 because both faucets and valves come in a wide variety of styles4 ,mixing faucets1 which are found on sinks1 laundry trays1 and bathtubs1 are actually two separate units with a common spout4 ,each unit is independently repaired4 ,dripping faucets are the most common plumbing problem4 ,normally a new washer is all that is required4 ,if water leaks around the stem1 either the packing is loose or needs replacing4 ,to repair the faucet1 first shut off the water at the shutoff valve nearest the particular faucet4 ,disassemble the faucet by removing the handle1 packing nut1 packing1 and stem in that order4 ,you may have to set the handle back on the stem and use it to unscrew and remove the stem4 ,remove the screw and worn washer from the stem4 ,clean the washer cup and install a new washer of the proper size and type4 ,reassemble the faucet4 ,handles of mixing faucets should be in matched positions4 ,if a washer requires frequent replacement1 it may be the wrong type or the seat may be rough and scoring the washer4 ,flat washers are used on seats having a crown or round ridge for the washer seat4 ,tapered or rounded washers are used with tapered seats4 ,these seats may be replaced if worn or damaged4 ,replaceable seats have either a square or hex shaped water passage for the seat removal tool4 ,seat dressing tools are available for non-replaceable seats4 ,occasionally a faucet will be noisy when water is flowing4 ,this may be due to a loose washer or worn threads on the stem and receiver1 permitting the stem to vibrate or chatter4 ,pressing down on the handle will stop stem vibration but will not affect a loose washer4 ,illustration3 ,figure #a4--;,globe type angle valve4 ,faucets are similar in construction4 ,replacement stems are available2 however1 if the receiving threads are worn excessively a new stem would not eliminate the problem completely4 ,in some faucets it is possible to replace the stem receiver1 the stem1 and the seat1 thus restoring all normal wearing parts within the faucet4 ,several new faucet designs aimed at easier operation1 eliminating drip1 and promoting long service life1 are on the market4 ,instructions for repair may be obtained from dealers4 ,if a shower head drips1 the supply valve has not been fully closed1 or the valve needs repair4 ,after extended use and several repairs1 some valves will no longer give tight shutoff and must be replaced4 ,when this becomes necessary1 it may be advisable to upgrade the quality with equipment having better flow characteristics and longer-life design and materials4 ,in some cases1 ball valves will deliver more water than globe valves4 ,some globe valves deliver more flow than others for identical pipe sizes4 ,y-pattern globe valves1 in straight runs of pipe1 have better flow characteristics than straight stop valves4 ,figure #b shows the features of different types of valves4 ,illustration3 ,figure #b4--;,different types of valves3 ,a1 ,glove valve2 note large passages of water4 ,b1 ,y-pattern globe valve2 the flow is almost straight4 ,c1 ,ball valve1 straight flow2 some makes are available with the port in the ball the same diameter as the pipe4 ,,precautions ,polluted water or sewage may carry such diseases as typhoid fever and amoebic dysentery4 ,if you do your own plumbing work1 be sure that-- ,there are no leaks in drainpipes through which sewage or sewage gases can escape4 ,there are no cross connections between piping carrying water from different sources unless there can be reasonable certainty that all sources are safe and will remain safe4 ,there can be no back siphonage of water from plumbing fixtures or other containers into the water-supply system4 ,once a pipe has become polluted1 it may be difficult to free it of the pollution4 ,for this reason1 building codes do not permit the use of second-hand pipe4 ,all initial piping and parts and subsequent replacements should be new4 ,since a plumbing system will require service from time to time1 shutoff valves should be installed at strategic locations so that an affected portion can be isolated 7water flow to it cut off7 with minimum disturbance to service in the rest of the system4 ,shutoff valves are usually provided on the water closet supply line1 on the hot- and cold-water supply line to each sink1 tub1 and lavatory1 and on the water heater supply line4 ,drain valves are usually installed for water-supply piping systems and for hot-water storage tanks4 ,a pressure-relief valve should be installed for the water heater storage tank to relieve pressure buildup in case of overheating4 ,illustration3 ,figure #c4--;,frostproof hydrant2 ,a1 ,closed2 ,b1 opened4 ,as soon as the hydrant is closed1 water left in the riser drains out the drain tube as shown in ,a4 ,this prevents water from freezing in the hydrant in cold weather4 ,,frostproof ,,hydrants ,frostproof hydrants are basically faucets1 although they may differ somewhat in design from ordinary faucets4 ,two important features of a frostproof hydrant are3 7#a7 ,the valve is installed under ground--below the frostline--to prevent freezing1 and 7#b7 the valve is designed to drain the water from the hydrant when the valve is closed4 ,figure #c shows one type of frostproof hydrant4 ,it works as follows3 ,when the handle is raised1 the piston rises1 opening the valve4 ,water flows from the supply pipe into the cylinder1 up through the riser1 and out the spout4 ,when the handle is pushed down1 the piston goes down1 closing the valve and stopping the flow of water4 ,water left in the hydrant flows out the drain tube into a small gravel-filled dry well or drain pit4 ,illustration3 ,figure #d4--,vacuum breaker arrangement for outside hose hydrant4 ,as with ordinary faucets1 leakage will probably be the most common trouble encountered with frostproof hydrants4 ,worn packing1 gaskets1 and washers can cause leakage4 ,disassemble the hydrant as necessary to replace or repair these and other parts4 ,frostproof yard hydrants having buried drains can be health hazards4 ,the vacuum created by water flowing from the hydrant may draw in contaminated water standing above the hydrant drain level4 ,such hydrants should be used only where positive drainage can be provided4 ,frostproof wall hydrants 7fig4 #d7 are the preferred type4 ,for servicing sprayers using hazardous chemicals1 hydrants having backflow protection should be used 7fig4 #e74 ,,repairing ,,leaks ,,in ,,pipes ,,and ,,tanks ,pipes ,leaks in pipes usually result from corrosion or from damage to the pipe4 ,pipes may be damaged by freezing1 by vibration caused by machinery operating nearby1 by water hammer1 or by animals bumping into the pipe4 7,water hammer is discussed on ,p4 #h7 ,illustration3 ,figure #e4--,protected wall hydrant suitable for filling agricultural sprayers4 ,corrosion ,occasionally waters are encountered that corrode metal pipe and tubing4 7,some acid soils also corrode metal pipe and tubing47 ,the corrosion usually occurs1 in varying degrees1 along the entire length of pipe rather than at some particular point4 ,an exception would be where dissimilar metals1 such as copper and steel1 are joined4 ,treatment of the water may solve the problem of corrosion4#a ,otherwise1 you may have to replace the piping with a type made of material that will be less subject to the corrosive action of the water4 ,footnote #a3 ,for information about water treatment1 see ,,fb #bbdh1 ,treating ,farmstead and ,rural ,home ,water ,systems4 ,you can get a free copy from your county agricultural agent or write the ,office of ,information1 ,u4,s4 ,department of ,agriculture1 ,washington1 ,d4,c4 #bjbej4 ,include your ,,zip ,code in your return address4 ,it is good practice to get a chemical analysis of the water before selecting materials for a plumbing system4 ,your ,state college or university may be equipped to make an analysis2 if not1 you can have it done by a private laboratory4 ,repairing ,leaks ,pipes that are split by hard freezing must be replaced4 ,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 together4 ,small leaks in a pipe can often be repaired with a rubber patch and metal clamp or sleeve4 ,this must be considered as an emergency repair job and should be followed by permanent repair as soon as practicable4 ,large leaks in a pipe may require cutting out the damaged section and installing a new piece of pipe4 ,at least one union will be required unless the leak is near the end of the pipe4 ,you can make a temporary repair with plastic or rubber tubing4 ,the tubing must be strong enough to withstand the normal water pressure in the pipe4 ,it should be slipped over the open ends of the piping and fastened with pipe clamps or several turns of wire4 ,vibration sometimes breaks solder joints in copper tubing1 causing leaks4 ,if the joint is accessible1 clean and resolder it4 ,the tubing must be dry before it can be heated to soldering temperature4 ,leaks in places not readily accessible usually require the services of a plumber and sometimes of both a plumber and a carpenter4 ,tanks ,leaks in tanks are usually caused by corrosion4 ,sometimes1 a safety valve may fail to open and the pressure developed will spring a leak4 ,while a leak may occur at only one place in the tank wall1 the wall may also be corroded thin in other places4 ,therefore1 any repair should be considered as temporary1 and the tank should be replaced as soon as possible4 ,a leak can be temporarily repaired with a toggle bolt1 rubber gasket1 and brass washer1 as shown in figure #f4 ,you may have to drill or ream the hole larger to insert the toggle bolt4 ,draw the bolt up tight to compress the rubber gasket against the tank wall4 ,illustration3 ,figure #f4--;,closing a hole in a tank3 ,a1 ,the link of the toggle bolt is passed through the hole in the tank 7hole is enlarged if necessary74 ,b1 ,side view of tank edge 7nut is drawn up tightly to compress washer and gasket against tank74 ,c1 ,outside view of completed repair4 ,,water ,,hammer ,water hammer sometimes occurs when a faucet is suddenly closed4 ,when the flow of water is suddenly stopped1 its kinetic energy is expended against the walls of the piping4 ,this causes the piping to vibrate1 and leaks or other damage may result4 ,water hammer may be prevented or its severity reduced by installing an air chamber just ahead of the faucet4 ,the air chamber may be a piece of air-filled pipe or tubing1 about #b feet long1 extending vertically from the pipe4 ,it must be airtight4 ,commercial devices designed to prevent water hammer are also available4 ,an air chamber requires occasional replenishing of the air to prevent it from becoming water-logged--that is1 full of water instead of air4 ,a properly operating hydropneumatic tank1 such as the type used in individual water systems1 serves as an air chamber1 preventing or reducing water hammer4 ,,frozen ,,water ,,pipes ,in cold weather1 water may freeze in underground pipes laid above the frostline or in pipes in unheated buildings1 in open crawl spaces under buildings1 or in outside walls4 ,when water freezes it expands4 ,unless a pipe can also expand1 it may rupture when the water freezes4 ,iron pipe and steel pipe do not expand appreciably4 ,copper pipe will stretch some1 but does not resume its original dimensions when thawed out2 repeated freezings will cause it to fail eventually4 ,flexible plastic tubing can stand repeated freezes1 but it is good practice to prevent it from freezing4 ,preventing ,freezing ,pipes may be insulated to prevent freezing1 but this is not a completely dependable method4 ,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 temperature4 ,also1 if the insulation becomes wet1 it may lose its effectiveness4 ,electric heating cable can be used to prevent pipes from freezing4 ,the cable should be wrapped around the pipe and covered with insulation4 ,thawing ,use of electric heating cable is a good method of thawing frozen pipe1 because the entire heated length of the pipe is thawed at one time4 ,thawing pipe with a blowtorch can be dangerous4 ,the water may get hot enough at the point where the torch is applied to generate sufficient steam under pressure to rupture the pipe4 ,steam from the break could severely scald you4 ,thawing pipe with hot water is safer than thawing with a blowtorch4 ,one method is to cover the pipe with rags and then pour the hot water over the rags4 ,when thawing pipe with a blowtorch1 hot water1 or similar methods1 open a faucet and start thawing at that point4 ,the open faucet will permit steam to escape1 thus reducing the chance of the buildup of dangerous pressure4 ,do not allow the steam to condense and refreeze before it reaches the faucet4 ,underground metal pipes can be thawed by passing a low-voltage electric current through them4 ,the current will heat the entire length of pipe through which it passes4 ,both ends of the pipe must be open to prevent the buildup of steam pressure4 ,,caution3 ,this method of thawing frozen pipe can be dangerous and should be done by an experienced person only4 ,it cannot be used to thaw plastic tubing or other non-electricity-conducting pipe or tubing4 ,,repairing ,,water ,,closets ,water closets 7commonly called toilets7 vary in general design and in the design of the flushing mechanism4 ,but they are enough alike that general repair instructions can suffice for all designs4 ,flushing ,mechanism ,figure #g shows a common type of flushing mechanism4 ,parts that usually require repair are the flush valve1 the intake 7float7 valve1 and the float ball4 ,in areas of corrosive water1 the usual copper flushing mechanism may deteriorate in a comparatively short time4 ,in such cases1 it may be advisable to replace the corroded parts with plastic parts4 ,you can even buy plastic float balls4 ,flush ,valve ,the rubber ball of the flush valve may get soft or out of shape and fail to seat properly4 ,this causes the valve to leak4 ,unscrew the ball from the lift wire and install a new one4 ,the trip lever or lift wire may corrode and fail to work smoothly1 or the lift wire may bind in the guides4 ,disassemble and clean off corrosion or replace parts as necessary4 ,most plumbing codes require a cutoff valve in the supply line to the flush tank1 which makes it unnecessary to close down the whole system 7fig4 #g74 ,if this valve was not installed1 you can stop the flow of water by propping up the float with a piece of wood4 ,be careful not to bend the float rod out of alignment4 ,intake 7,float7 ,valve ,a worn plunger washer in the supply valve will cause the valve to leak4 ,to replace the washer-- ,shut off the water and drain the tank4 ,unscrew the two thumb-screws that hold the levers and push out the levers4 ,lift out the plunger1 unscrew the cup on the bottom1 and insert a new washer4 ,the washer is made of material such as rubber or leather4 ,examine the washer seat4 ,if nicked or rough1 it may need refacing4 ,if the float-valve assembly is badly corroded1 replace it4 ,illustration3 ,figure #g4--,water closet 7toilet7 flush tank4 ,float ,ball ,the float ball may develop a leak and fail to rise to the proper position4 7,correct water level is about #a inch below the top of the overflow tube or enough to give a good flush47 ,if the ball fails to rise1 the intake valve will remain open and water will continue to flow4 ,brass float balls can sometimes be drained and the leak soldered4 ,other types must be replaced4 ,when working on the float ball1 be careful to keep the rod aliened so that the ball will float freely and close the valve properly4 ,bowl ,removal ,an obstruction in the water closet trap or leakage around the bottom of the water-closet bowl may require removal of the bowl4 ,follow this procedure3 ,shut off the water4 ,empty the tank and bowl by siphoning or sponging out the water4 ,disconnect the water pipes to the tank 7see fig4 #g74 ,disconnect the tank from the bowl if the water closet is a two-piece unit4 ,set the tank where it cannot be damaged4 ,handle tank and bowl carefully2 they are made of vitreous china or porcelain and are easily chipped or broken4 ,remove the seat and cover from the bowl4 ,carefully pry loose the bolt covers and remove the bolts holding the bowl to the floor flange 7fig4 #h74 ,jar the bowl enough to break the seal at the bottom4 ,set the bowl upside down on something that will not chip or break it4 ,remove the obstruction from the discharge opening4 ,place a new wax seal around the bowl horn and press it into place4 ,a wax seal 7or gasket7 may be obtained from hardware or plumbing-supply stores4 ,set the bowl in place and press it down firmly4 ,install the bolts that hold it to the floor flange4 ,draw the bolts up snugly1 but not too tight because the bowl may break4 ,the bowl must be level4 ,keep a carpenter's level on it while drawing up the bolts4 ,if the house has settled1 leaving the floor sloping1 it may be necessary to use shims to make the bowl set level4 ,replace the bolt covers4 ,install the tank and connect the water pipes to it4 ,it is advisable to replace all gaskets1 after first cleaning the surfaces thoroughly4 ,test for leaks by flushing a few times4 ,install the seat and cover4 ,illustration3 ,figure #h4--;,connection of water closet to floor and soil pipe4 ,tank ,sweating ,when cold water enters a water closet tank1 it may chill the tank enough to cause sweating 7condensation of atmospheric moisture on the outer surface of the tank74 ,this can be prevented by insulating the tank to keep the temperature of the outer surface above the dew point temperature of surrounding air4 ,insulating jackets or liners that fit inside water-closet tanks and serve to keep the outer surface warm are available from plumbing-supply dealers4 ,,clearing ,,clogged ,,drains ,drains may become clogged by objects dropped into them or by accumulations of grease1 dirt1 or other matter4 ,fixture and ,floor ,drains ,if the obstruction is in a fixture trap1 usually the trap can be removed and cleared4 ,if the obstruction is elsewhere in the pipe other means must be used4 ,cleanout augers--long1 flexible1 steel cables commonly called snakes--may be run down drainpipes to break up obstructions or to hook onto and pull out objects4 ,augers are made in various lengths and diameters and are available at hardware and plumbing-supply stores4 7,in some cases1 you may have to call a plumber1 who will probably have a power-driven auger47 ,small obstructions can sometimes be forced down or drawn up by use of an ordinary rubber force cup 7plunger or plumber's friend74 ,grease and soap clinging to a pipe can sometimes be removed by flushing with hot water4 ,lye or lye mixed with a small amount of aluminum shavings may also be used4 ,when water is added to the mixture1 the violent gas-forming reaction and production of heat that takes place loosens the grease and soap so that they can be flushed away4 ,use cold water only4 ,chemical cleaners should not be used in pipes that are completely stopped up1 because they must be brought into direct contact with the stoppage to be effective4 ,handle the material with extreme care and follow directions on the container4 ,if lye spills on the hands or clothing1 wash with cold water immediately4 ,if any gets into the eyes1 flush with cold water and call a doctor4 ,sand1 dirt1 or clothing lint sometimes clogs floor drains4 ,remove the strainer and ladle out as much of the sediment as possible4 ,you may have to carefully chip away the concrete around the strainer to free it4 ,flush the drain with clean water4 ,when drains have become partially clogged due to lack of water to transport all solids through them1 large buckets or other containers should be used to flush them4 ,water should be poured fast enough to nearly fill the drain4 ,occasional flushing of floor drains may prevent clogging4 ,,caution3 ,augers1 rubber force cups1 and other tools used in direct contact with sewage are subject to contamination4 ,do not later use them for work on your potable water supply system unless they have been properly sterilized4 ,outside ,drains ,roots growing through cracks or defective joints sometimes clog outside drains or sewers4 ,you can clear the stoppage temporarily by using a root-cutting tool4 ,however1 to prevent future trouble1 you should re-lay the defective portion of the line1 using sound pipe and making sure that all joints are watertight4#b ,footnote #b3 ,for information on laying sewers1 see ,agriculture ,information ,bulletin #bgd1 ,farmstead ,sewage and ,refuse ,disposal4 ,for a free copy1 send a post card to the ,office of ,information1 ,u4,s4 ,department of ,agriculture1 ,washington1 ,d4,c4 #bjbej4 ,include your ,,zip ,code in your return address4 ,if possible1 sewer lines should be laid out of the reach of roots4 ,but if this is impossible or impracticable1 consider using impregnated fiber pipe which tends to repel roots4 ,,tools ,,and ,,spare ,,parts ,basic tools that you should have on hand to make simple plumbing repairs include3 ,wrenches1 including pipe wrenches1 in a range of sizes to fit the pipe1 fittings1 fixtures1 equipment1 and appliances in the system4 ,screwdrivers in a range of sizes to fit the faucets1 valves1 and other parts of the system4 ,ball peen hammer or a #ab- or #af-ounce clawhammer4 ,rubber force cup 7plunger or plumber's friend74 ,cold chisel and center punch4 ,cleanout auger 7snake74 ,friction tape4 ,adjustable pliers4 ,additional tools required for more extensive plumbing repairs include3 ,pipe vise4 ,set of pipe threading dies and stocks4 ,hacksaw and blades 7blades should have #cb teeth per inch74 ,pipe cutter1 roller type4 ,tapered reamer or half-round file4 ,carpenter's brace4 ,set of wood bits4 ,gasoline blowtorch4 ,lead pot and ladle4 ,calking tools4 ,copper tube cutter with reamer 7if you have copper tubing74 ,always use the proper size wrench or screwdriver4 ,do not use pipe wrenches on nuts with flat surfaces2 use an adjustable or open-end wrench4 ,do not use pipe wrenches on polished-surface tubings or fittings1 such as found on plumbing fixtures2 use a strap wrench4 ,tight nuts or fittings can sometimes be loosened by tapping lightly with a hammer or mallet4 ,it should not be necessary to stock a large number of spare parts4 ,past plumbing troubles may give some indication as to the kind of parts most likely to be needed4 ,spare parts should include3 ,faucet washers and packing4 ,one or two lengths of the most common type and size of piping in the plumbing system4 ,several unions and gaskets or unions with ground surfaces4 ,several couplings and elbows4 ,a few feet of pipe strap4 ,an extra hose connection4 ,,emergencies ,grouped below are emergencies that may occur and the action to take4 ,the name1 address1 and phone number of a plumber who offers #bd-;hour service should be posted in a conspicuous place4 ,burst pipe or tank4--,immediately cut off the flow of water by closing the shutoff valve nearest to the break4 ,then arrange for repair4 ,water closet overflow4--,do not use water closet until back in working order4 ,check for and remove stoppage in closet bowl outlet1 drain line from closet to sewer1 or sewer or septic tank4 ,if stoppage is due to root entry into pipe1 repair of pipe at that point is recommended4 ,rumbling noise in hot water tank4--,this is likely a sign of overheating which could lead to the development of explosive pressure 7,another indication of overheating is hot water backing up in the cold-water supply pipe47 ,cut off the burner immediately4 ,be sure that the pressure-relief valve is operative4 ,then check 7with a thermometer7 the temperature of the water at the nearest outlet4 ,if above that for which the gage is set1 check the thermostat that controls burner cutoff4 ,if you cannot correct the trouble1 call a plumber4 ,cold house4--,if the heating system fails 7or if you close the house and turn off the heat7 when there is a chance of subfreezing weather1 completely drain the plumbing system4 ,a drain valve is usually provided at the low point of the water supply piping for this purpose4 ,a pump1 storage tank1 hot-water tank1 water closet tank1 water-treatment apparatus1 and other water-system appliances or accessories should also be drained4 ,put antifreeze in all fixture and drain traps4 ,hot-water and steam heating systems should also be drained when the house temperature may drop below freezing4 ,u4,s4 ,,government ,,printing ,,office3 #aigb ,o-#dgh-ijc ,transcriber ,note ,produced from material made available from the ,internet ,archive and is placed in the ,public ,domain4