…or you’ll be the homeowner giggling like a fifth grader at the local hardware store!

Plumbing is a complicated process with more terms, gadgets, and appliances than most people can remember, but the following seven terms should be easy to keep in mind since you probably already use them.

Learning to redefine a few of the words in your existing vocabulary can go a long way in increasing your plumbing knowledge.

Coupling

While not nearly as romantic as it sounds, does involve the joining of two things! In the case of plumbing, a coupling is the short piece of pipe that joins two longer pipes together. Also know as a coupler, it generally has the same style of socket on each end. If each end has a different type of socket, this short pipe is usually called an adaptor rather than a coupling.

Snake

Easily confused with its reptilian name-sharer, a snake is actually just a long metal coil that can be inserted into a drain and rotated to remove clogs. The snake is best on moderate to severe clogs and is generally the next step after a plunger fails to solve the problem. Warning: it is best not to tell your spouse you have a snake in the bathroom!

Bonnet

The term bonnet may have you picturing Little House on the Prairie, but in plumbing a bonnet is part of a compression valve assembly. It works by keeping the valve in place and preventing leaks, thus saving you money!

O-ring

An O-ring is a simple but extremely important piece of plumbing equipment. The name might give you a craving for greasy, fried onions, but an o-ring is simply a circular piece of rubber that is placed around a valve to create a water-tight seal.

This ring should be the first place you check when trying to diagnose a water leak, as replacing it could solve the issue immediately.

Flapper

Contrary to the word’s historical connotations, don’t expect a woman from the 1940’s to greet you when you head to the hardware store to buy a flapper! In plumbing terms, a flapper is the piece of rubber in the bottom of your toilet tank that lifts to allow flushing and then reseals as the tank refills.

The flapper covers the valve at the bottom of the tank until the flushing lever is activated, at which time the flapper lifts and the water rushes from the tank, through the valve, and into the toilet bowl.

Ballcock

A ballcock is essential to any functioning toilet, although the name may leave you blushing at Home Depot. This mechanism controls the water flow into the toilet tank and prevents overflow. There are several different types of ballcock mechanisms on the market today, so homeowners should do their research regarding the best one for their home.

Nipple

In plumbing, a nipple is a very short section of pipe that has threading on each end. It is used to join two pipe sections, or even two couplings, together. Despite the funny name, pipe nipples are very common pieces of hardware in plumbing and home construction. They come in a large variety of styles and sizes, so you can feel confident that you will find the one you need at any hardware store.

And just like that, your internal plumbing-dictionary just got a little bit bigger! Learning the ins and outs of home repairs like plumbing can seem daunting, but starting with the words you already know and redefining them in a new setting is a perfect way to start.

There are few home disasters that can be quite as devastating as water damage- both to the condition of your home and your wallet.

Something as simple as a dripping faucet can increase your water bill by an exorbitant amount, and heaven forbid you have a full-blown busted pipe that destroys your flooring or causes ruination to the foundation of your home.

The positive aspect of a water leak (yes, there can be a silver lining to home repair!) is that unlike other sinister accidents that are much harder to notice, such as carbon dioxide leak, water damage is easily noticed and thus can be corrected in a timely manner.

You will have far less damages to deal with if you put a stop to the leak and repair the faulty pipe or equipment in a timely manner.

Signs Your Home Has a Leak:

The tell-tale signs of leaks are hard to miss, which is great considering the damage water can do in just a few days, or hours, time. Being aware of a few things around your home will go a long way in nipping any leaks in the bud.

Pay close attention to the following signs that could mean something in your home is leaking:

– An increase in your water bills, especially the cost jumps drastically from the previous month

– Muddy patches in the yard around your home

– Soft or sagging floors

– A persistent musty smell in your home

– Visible mold, especially in the rooms of your home that use water

– Stained ceiling or walls, especially when stains reappear after painting

– Misshapen walls

– Bubbles forming underneath wall paint or wallpaper

These signs could all mean a leak that will continue to damage your home until dealt with. Be especially wary of leaks and signs of water damage in your kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room as they use the most water and appliances. Leaky or busted pipes are most often found in basements or under the foundation of your home.

Health Hazards:

No one wants to pay for damages caused by water, but your finances may not be the only victim of unrepaired leaks. Your health, and the health of your family, can fall victim to water damage as well.

– Mold: Stagnant water, or continually damp walls and floors, lead to mold growth in your home. Mold doesn’t just smell bad; it is hazardous to your health in a variety of ways- some merely annoying and others possibly fatal. Mold can irritate existing allergies or cause a person to develop new allergies over time. Prolonged exposure to mold has been known to cause headaches, dizziness, and, most dangerously, respiratory issues. The very young and very old are especially susceptible to mold-related illnesses.

– Bacteria: A leak that stems from a sewer pipe can easily bring harmful bacteria into your home. Even worse, your water supply can become infected, making it unsafe to drink or bathe in. A sewer leak is no laughing matter, and the health concerns far outweigh the financial ones.

Diagnosing the Problem:

So you’ve noticed the telltale signs of a leak in your home. Maybe there is a persistent muddy patch in your lawn, or the wall in your living room has started to bubble and warp.

You know there is an issue, but you can’t seem to find it on your own, as the leaking pipe or faucet isn’t visible to the naked eye. At this point, it’s probably time to call a plumber, as they have several excellent methods of hunting down that pesky leak.

– Some plumbers detect leaks by filling your pipes with hydrogen. They have special machines that track the flow of the gas, and can pinpoint the direct location of the leak.

– Similar to an endoscopy in humans, a camera can be inserted into pipes in your home in order to search for a leak.

– Waves from a radar machine can be used to hunt for an underground leak in the foundation of your home. A geophone is a device that amplifies sounds from underground and can be used to listen for dripping or running water, indicating a leak.

Regardless of how a leak is detected, it is imperative that it is corrected in timely manner in order to best protect your health, home, and finances. Don’t let signs of leaking water go undiagnosed, as you will end up in a far worse situation in the long run.

If you have any leaks at home and you need assistance, please give us a call at (805) 928-2511 — we’re available 24/7 for all your plumbing needs.

The close of such a busy season often brings more free time, meaning homeowners everywhere have a few more minutes to spare on plumbing maintenance.

So what should be on your plumbing checklist as summer fades away and cooler temperatures set in? Check out this to-do list and keep your home running smoothly all year long:

Inspect your Hoses and Hose Bibs

Hoses get a workout over the summer, whether you’ve been filling the pool, watering the garden, or spraying the kids down in the backyard. All that wear and tear can take a toll on your hoses and hose bibs, causing cracks or leaks which can lead to water damage and high water bills.

A great way to inspect your hose bib is by covering the opening of the faucet with your thumb and turning the water on. A great build up of pressure, and the inability to hold all that water back, means your hose bib is in working order.

The lack of any pressure build-up can mean there is a leak somewhere, and it may be time to call in a professional. The end of summer is the perfect time to check on these items because they will largely go unused -and be forgotten- over the colder months. As always, a frost-proof hose bib is an excellent choice if you live in a cold climate.

Water Heater

What better time to inspect your water heater than when it has been sitting idle for several months? Flushing the tank once a year and keeping an eye on your water heater’s anode rod can greatly extend the life of the unit.

The anode rod protects the water heater from corroding, and left alone for too long can take a toll on the appliance. Taking the time to correct any issues now can save your family a lot of trouble come winter time. After all, no one wants to be stuck taking a cold shower in the middle of December!

Sewer Lines

The warm weather of summer meant lush greenery and tree growth in your yard, and with this growth comes the danger of roots interfering with sewer lines. Make sure to cover any exposed piping to protect it from cold weather, and do a thorough check for cracks or damage.

A break in one of these lines could be devastating to your yard or home, so having them checked at the end of the summer is always wise. A hairline crack in the warm months could easily turn into a burst pipe in freezing temperatures.

Appliances

Vacations, swimming, and the intense heat of summer mean more wear and tear on your washing machine. Picnics, pot lucks, and barbecues mean dirty dishes and more usage of the dish washer.

It’s true- your appliances sure take a beating in the summer time! A thorough check that they are working properly with no leaks or cracks will keep your appliances running strong all year.

Inspect the hoses behind your washing machine for damage, because a cracked hose means a flooded laundry room and a headache for you.

Make sure to inspect all gaskets on your dishwasher door for cracks, check for rust, and regularly clean any filters, screens, or sprayer arms to keep the machine running well for years to come.

Conclusion

Taking a few minutes to check these items and maintain the plumbing in your home can save you money and hours of potential damage-control in the future.

By assuring that everything is running smoothly at the end of summer, you can ensure a happy, disaster-free winter for your home. Let your family enjoy the season and forget about busted pipes, cold showers, and leaky appliances.

Being one step ahead of these disasters is the best way to keep your home’s plumbing in prime shape.

Green Plumbing Practices; Grey Water, Stagnant Water, and Sustainability

California residents may be pleased to hear that water conservation efforts are making a notable and positive difference, especially in urban areas across the state. Keeping track of water usage from county to county is now an absolute necessity, and the people of the Golden State are acknowledging the severity of it all.

The State Water Resources Control Board indicated that during the month of May this year, water consumption dropped by nearly 29 percent. Even though this significant decrease is welcome news, the situation is far from being resolved. The remaining days of summer will be the true test, as the temperatures begin to rise statewide and the demand for water is likely to follow suit.

Zierman Plumbing and Heating is playing an important role in water conservation efforts by urging all customers to consider their options. A few cost-effective methods exist, which may involve acquiring a few three-to-five gallon buckets to recycle runoff water from kitchen sinks, bathtub/shower enclosures, and external washing machine exhaust hoses.

Also known as grey water, excess amounts can be used in place of running sprinkler systems, watering individual potted plants, and harder to reach areas that would otherwise require tapping into your main water supply. Recycled grey water is safe to use in your garden and lawn areas, and you’ll likely see a reduction in your water costs as well. Most utility/water bills will have a section that shows overall water usage for one-to-two month cycles, and you may be surprised to find out how much water and money you’ll likely be saving thru conserving and recycling.

Washing machine sewer hookups can also be redirected towards vulnerable areas in your yard; those who have septic systems can also benefit from the redirect method; grey water filling up septic tanks can become costly over time. An average load of laundry requires anywhere between 10 to 20 gallons that can be used elsewhere as grey water.

It’s also important to reuse standing water within a 24 to 48 hour period. The standing water itself can become infected with certain types of bacteria if left alone for too long, which can cause a number of water-borne contagions to form. Also referred to as stagnant water, many different hazards both inside and outside your home can develop. Inside-the-home stagnant water can create airborne mold spores that can affect you and your family’s respiratory systems, while mildew deposits are capable of spreading inside the structure if not taken care of in a timely fashion.

Aside from learning the ins and outs of water treatment and conservation, it’s also a good idea to have some sort of filtration system in place. Although tap water is considered safe to drink, installing a whole house water filter setup can virtually eliminate the chlorine factor, which is something that Zierman Plumbing is more than familiar with. If you have any additional questions regarding water conservation and/or recycling it safely, we’re always a phone call away.