A Few Rules for Plumbing Repair
Tips for Finding the Right Part or Accessory for Any Project
Avoiding common mistakes when trying to find the right plumbing tool or part can save time, money and unneeded stress. Following these simple rules will certainly help.
Before making one’s way to the hardware store in order to solve a plumbing-related dilemma, it is best to understand a little bit about the topic at hand. Anyone who has spent time working at a hardware store understands the frustration that can be involved with customers who don’t know what they want or need. There are so many different parts, tools and accessories out there for so many different plumbing configurations, it can be impossible to know just which one is right without some more information to go by.
The Golden Rule
The first rule to go by – as any hardware store employee will enthusiastically agree – is to, whenever the option is available, bring as much of the actual part in to the store as possible. Seriously, as much as can be removed, bring it along and show it to the people at the store. Maybe even the employees will think it's excessive, but that’s okay. At least it was enough, and deep down, they're thankful for the foresight.
If a faucet is leaking, take the handles off and try to pull the entire stem or cartridge out of the unit, and if there is a removable seat underneath, try to bring that, too. Faucet stems are one of the most diverse and difficult things in the plumbing section of a hardware store, and having the part on hand will surely save endless headaches.
If a new aerator is needed for a faucet, bring the old one; if a new supply line is needed for a faucet or a toilet, shut off the water at the angle valve and bring the old one. If it is the valve itself, you may have to shut off the main water line, but it will probably be worth it in order to avoid extra trips to and from the store.
The Runner-up to the Golden Rule
If the situation is one where it is nearly impossible to actually bring the old parts into the store, the next most important thing is to study the situation as carefully as possible, collecting every last piece of information about the situation. Event the little things which may not seem important may very well end up being crucial in deciding which replacement parts are correct.
For instance, if it is an angle valve which needs replacing, it is vitally important to know what kind of pipe is sticking out of the wall. Is it a galvanized pipe? Is it a copper pipe? Is it PEX or CPVC? If it’s copper, is the valve attached by way of compression fitting, or is there a threaded piece soldered onto the end of the pipe? Each of these specific situations require very different valves, and heading into the hardware store without this knowledge would surely mean having to go back home and take another look before the correct part can be obtained.
So, take a look. Measure. Write things down. Take some pictures and bring a digital camera to the store. Leave no stone unturned.
If All Else Fails…
Go online. There are countless DIY (Do-It-Yourself) websites out there devoted to the sole purpose of explaining just how everything in the home works, and how to repair it if something goes wrong. These websites, such as diynetwork.com, doityourself.com or many others, will explain just what tools and parts you need for any given job.
Finally, call the hardware store first. Talk to someone in the plumbing department (or whatever other department is needed), and explain your problem. This way, the associate can explain exactly what they need to know in order to sell the appropriate part or accessory.
If these rules are all followed, the average do-it-yourselfer should have no problem in performing most standard plumbing repair projects on their own.
