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The Real Deal
Plan now to prepare for plumbing difficulties
By Jean Newton
Some of the most exasperating home repair problems crop up when something goes wrong with the plumbing. And serious difficulties can lead to costly repair bills. Planning for plumbing emergencies now can save money and headaches later.
Fortunately, a properly installed system should not cause many problems and common minor plumbing hassles, such as clogged drains and leaky faucets, probably can be treated successfully by those industrious homeowners looking to save a few dollars.
In addition to a little knowledge, a few tools and a common-sense approach to problem solving, the successful home plumber should also know when it's time to call in a professional.
The first step is to do a little homework on the subject of plumbing. Browse through home repair books at the library or book store. Most will offer easy-to-follow advice on how to fix a variety of things around the house. Books containing detailed diagrams and user-friendly instructions are the best. With so many "do-it-yourself" books on the shelves, picking out only one or two suitable volumes may be the biggest dilemma.
Take the time to become acquainted with the plumbing system. Learn the location of all shutoff valves, particularly the main shutoff valve. A good place to look for the main valve is near the water meter. Shutoff valves for sinks, commodes and other fixtures ordinarily are located beneath the fixture in question. In some homes, however, they might be found in the basement or crawl space. Use these valves--when accessible--to cut off the water supply to malfunctioning fixtures.
It's important to make sure that adults in the family know the location of the main shutoff value since it controls water to the entire house. In an emergency, it could mean the difference between a dry and a flooded basement.
Of course, if the home has a septic tank buried in the yard, knowing where it is in the case of an emergency may prevent considerable damage to the yard. The blueprints for a home should show the location of the septic tank. If the blueprints are unavailable, check with the builder or previous owner.
What type of tools should a homeowner have on hand for plumbing emergencies? A plunger, an adjustable wrench, an auger and a screwdriver will be enough for most drain problems. Assorted washers, a reseating tool and some packing thread will come in handy for leaky faucets. A reliable hardware or plumbing supply dealer is a good source for tools and for answers to specific questions.
Armed with a little know how, the proper tools and a lot of common sense, homeowners should be able to trim costs for minor repairs. But in a real emergency, it's important to call in the professionals to avoid even bigger and more costly plumbing repair costs down the road.
Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. Send questions on any topic to: Real Deal, c/o SILVAR, ppompei@siliconvalley-realtors.org.
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