Plumbing Water Supply Lines Maintenance

Cross linked polyethylene (PEX) is growing quickly in acceptable as a supply line for residential plumbing, It’s not hard to understand why. Developed in the 1960’s but relatively new to the United States, this supply pipe combines the ease of use of flexible tubing with the durability of rigid pipe . It can withstand from subfreezing to 180 Degrees.it inexpensive ; and it’s quieter than rigid supply pipe .

PEX os flexible plastic tubing that’s reinforced by a chemical reaction at creates long fibers to increase the strength of the material. It has been allowed by code in Europe and the southern United States for many years , but has won approval for residential supply use in most major plumbing codes only recently . It’s frequently used in most major plumbing codes only recently supply use in most major manufacturer housing and recreational vehicles and radiant heating systems . Because it so flexible , PEX can easily be bent to follow corners and make others changes in direction . From the water main and heater , it is connected into manifold fittings that redistribute the water in much the same manner as a lawn irrigation system.

For standard residential installations , PEX can be joined with very simple fittings and tools. Unions are generally made with made with a crimping tool and a crimping ring . You simply insert the ends of the pipe you’re joining into the ring , then clamp down the ring with the crimping tool . PEX pipe, tools, and fittings can be purchased from most wholesale plumbing suppliers and at many home centers . Coils of PEX are sold in several diameters from the 1/4 inch to 1 inch . PEX tubing and fitting from different manufacturers are not interchangeable . Any warranty coverage will be voided if products are mixed .

Tools you may need list ( you should have all supply lines change every 5 years )

Tape Measure, Flet-tipped pen, Full circle crimping tool , Go no gauge , tubing cutter, PEX pipe , Manifolds , Protector plates, PEX fitting, PEX , Utility knife, plastic hangers, crimp ring , protective equipment.

PEX pipe is relatively new water supply material that’s growing in popularity in part because it can be installed with simple mechanical connections.

Specialty tools for installing PEX are available wherever PEX is sold . The basic set includes a full circle crimping tool. A tubing cutter ,and go/no gauge to test connections after the’ve been crimped . Competing manufacturers make several types of fittings , with Proprietary tools work with their fittings . The tools and fittings you use may differ from those shown n these pages .

PEXis connected to other eater supply materials with transition fittings, including CPVC to PEX copper to PEX and iron to PEX.

Genrally , you should use the dame diameter PEX as is specified for rigid supply tubing but in some “home run” installations .

Common Roof Problems Remediating

Tools & Materials

Tape measure, Wire brush , Aviation snips , Trowel , Flat pry bar, hammer, utility knife , caulk gun, tarp , roofing cement , roofing nails, Replacement flashing , Replacement shingles, plywood , double headed nails, rubber gasket bails ,lath strips, wood chisel , Zinc strip , Hacksaw blade , protective equipment .
If the leak is finding its way a finished ceiling , take steps to minimize damage until the leak can be repaired . As soon as possible , reduce the accumulation of water behind a ceiling by poking a small hole in the wallboard or plaster and draining the water.

Once you mark the source of a leak from inside, measure from that spot to a point that will be visible and identifiable from outside the house, such as a chimney, vent pipe , or the peak of the roof. Get up on the roof and use that measurement to locate leak.

If your roof is revelry damaged , the primary goal is to prevent additional damage until permanent repairs are made. Nail a sheet of plywood to the roof to serve emergency cover to keep out the wind and water. Tip : For temporary repairs , use double headed nails , which can be easily removed . Fill nail holes with roofing cement when the repair is complete.

How to make spot repairs ( New Roof Contractor too)
with roofing cement

To reattach a loose shingle , wipe down the felt paper and the underside of the shingle . Let each dry , then apply a liberal coat of roofing cement. Press the shingle down to seat in the bed of cement . Tip:Heat softens the roof’s surface , and cold makes it brittle. If needed, warm shingles slightly with a hair drew and less likely to crack.

Tack down buckled shingles by cleaning below the buckled area, filling the the area with roofing cement , then pressing the shingle into the cement. Patch cracks and splits in shingles with roofing cements.

Check the joints around flashing which are common places for roof leaks to occur. Seal any gaps by cleaning out and replacing any failed roofing cement.

Pull out damaged shingles starting with the uppermost shingle in the damaged area. Be careful not to damaged surrounding shingles that are still in good condition .

Remove old nails in and above the repair area using flat pry bar. Patch damaged felt paper with roofing cement.

Install tje replacement shingles , beginning with the lowest shingle in the repair area. Nail above the tab slots using 7/8 or 1 inch nails .

Install all but the top shingle with nails , then apply roofing cement to the underside of the top shingle, above the seal line.

Slip the last shingle into place , under the overlapping shingle . Lift the shingles immediately above the repair area, and nail the top replacement shingle.

Roofing : Repairs

A roof system is compound of several elements that work together to provide three basic, essential functions fir your home shelter drainage designed to shed water , directing it to gutters and downspouts . Air intake and outtake vents keep fresh air circulating below the roof sheathing , preventing moisture and heat buildup .

When your roof system develops problems that compromise is ability to protect your home flashing the damage quickly spreads to other parts of your house . Routine inspections are the best way to make sure the roof continues to do its job effectively.

Ice dams occur when melting snow refreezes near thieves , causing ice back up under the shingles , where it melts onto the sheathing and seeps into the house .

Inspect both the interior and the exterior of the roof to spot problems. From inside the attic , check the rafters and sheathing for signs for water damage . Symptoms will appear in the form of streaking or discoloration . A moist or wet area also signals water damage .

Wind weather and flying debris can damage shinglers . The areas along valleys and ridges tend to take the most weather related abuse. Torn, loose, or cracked shingles are common in these areas.

Buckled and cupped are usually caused by moisture beneath the shingles. Loosened areas create an entry point for moisture and leave shingles vulnerable to wind damage .

A sagging ridge might be the weight of too many roofing layers . It might also be the result of a more significant problem , such as rotting ridge board or insufficient support for the ridge board.

Dirt and debris attract moisture and decay , which shortens the a roof’s life. To protect shingles , carefully wash the roof once a year using a pressure washer . Pay particular attention to areas where moss and mildew may accumulate .

In damp climates, it’s a good idea to nail a zinc strip along the center ridge of a roof, under the ridge cap . Minute quantities of zinc wash down the roof each time it rains , killing moss and mildew .

Overhanging tree limbs drop debris and provide shade that encourages moss and mildew . To reduce chances of decay , trimming limbs that overhang the roof.

If you have unfinished attic , examine the underside of your roof with a flashlight on a rainy day. If you yo find wetness , discoloration , or signs of moisture , trace the trail up to where the water is making its entrance.

Water that flows toward a wall can be temporarily diverted to minimize damage . Nail a small block of wood in the path of the water ,and place a bucket underneath to catch the drip. On a dry day, drive a nail through the underside of the roof decking to mark the hole.

French Drains Proper Drainage Solution Regrade Property

Drainage Solution : How to Regrade

Establish the drainage slope. The yard around your house should slant away from the house at a minimum slope 3/4 inch per ft for at least 10 ft . Till the soil or add new soil around the house perimeter. Drive a wood stake next to the house and another 10 ft out. Tie a level mason’s string between the stakes, and then move the string down at least 2 1/2 inches at the end away from the house , establishing your minimum slope.

Redistribute the soil with a steel garden rake so the grade follows the slope line. Add top soil at the high end if needed. Do not excavate bear the end of the slope accommodate the grade. The goal is to build up the yard to create runoff.

Use a grading rake to smooth out the soil so it slopes at an even rate . Drive additional stakes and tie off slope lines as necessary.

Tamp the soil with a hard tamper or plate compactor . Fill in any dips that occur with fresh dirt . Lay sod or plant grass or cover immediately.

Drainage solution : How to install a dry well

A dry well is a simple way to channel excess water out low lying or water laden areas , such as the ground beneath a gutter downspout . Dry well system typically consists of a buried drain tile running from a catch basin positioned at the problem spot to a collection container some distance away .

A dry well system is easy to install and surprisingly inexpensive . In the project shown here, a perforated plastic drain tile carries water from a plastic trash ca that has been punctured , then filled with stone rubble. The run off water percolates into the soil as it makes its way along the drain pipe and through the dry well.

The how to steps of this project include digging the trench with a shovel . If the catch basin is a long distance from the from the problem area, you may want to rent a trencher to dig the trench quickly. Call local utility companies to mark the location of underground mechanics before you start to dig .

Set a length of perforated drain tile on the gravel running the full length of the trench. If the trench starts at a downspouts , position a grated catch basin directly beneath the downspout and attach the end of the drain tile to the outlet port .

Dig a trench ( 10 inches , 14 inches deep) from the area where the water collects to the catch basin location , sloping the trench 2 inch per 8 foot . Line the trench with landscape fabric add 1 inch layer of gravel on top of the fabric .

Install the dry well by digging a hole that’s big enough to hold a plastic trash can . Drill 1 inch holes through the sides and bottom of the can every 4 inches to 6 inches . Also cut an access hole at the top of the can for the drain tile . Set the can in the hole and insert the free end of the tile . Backfill dirt over the tile and trench and plant grass or cover with sod.

Water Proofing Sealing Prevent Moisture Foundation Wall Cracks

To repair a stable crack , chisel cut a keyhole cut that’s wider at the base than 1/2 inch deep . Clean out the crack with a wire brush.

To help seal against moisture ,fill the crack with expanding insulating foam, working from bottom to top.

Mix hydraulic cement according to the manufacturer ‘s instructions then trowel it into the crack , working

from the bottom to top. Apply cement in layers no more 1/4 inch thick , until the patch is slightly higher

than the surrounding area . Feather cement with the trowel until it’s even with the surface . Allow to dry

throughly.

Water proof Paint
Masonry paints and sealers , especially those that are described as waterproof, are rather controversial products. Some manufacturers , claim that applying a coat of their waterproof paint will create a seal that can hold back moisture , even under light hydrostatic pressure. Other suggest only that their product , when applied to a basement wall, will create a skin that inhibits water penetration from the interior side.

Masonry paints do hold up better on concrete surfaces than other types, largely because they are higher in alkali and therefore less reactive with cement based materials . But they also can trap moisture in the concrete ,which will cause the paint to fail prematurely and can cause the concrete to degrade , especially
if the water freezes. Read the product label carefully before applying waterproofing paint to your basement walls, and make sure to follow the preparations protocols carefully . If you have a foundation wall with an active water seepage problem , address the problem with the other methods shown in this sections, including grading and gutters . A coat of waterproof paint is not to make your basement drier .

Clean your gutter and patch any holes. Make sure the gutters slope toward the downspouts extensions and splash blocks to keep roof runoff at least 8 feet away from the foundation.

Cover window well that will other wise allow water into basement Covering them with removable plastic is the easiest way to keep them dry. Covers on egress window wells must be easily removed from inside …
If you prefer to leave wells uncovered, add a gravel layer and a drain to the bottom of the well. Clean the well regularly to remove moisture heavy debris .

Things you need to fix concrete water proofing : trowel concrete mortar type S , or hydraulic cement for super water proof basement . Shovel and wheel barrel mix and water proper mixture . Concrete rake and concrete self level make easier for concrete to float cover the crack. Sand paper or heavy or epoxy if you did not properly level out and make smooth the concrete. Paint brush and caulk gun to brush in pattern the concrete to leave the pattern where concrete is much harder to break 30 years later .