Water Water Everywhere, |  |
| Basics 101. |
| Where does my water come from? Most of you reading this get your water from large treatment plants often called city water, or wells. I know some people still go down to the river with buckets but since it is unlikely they have computers, we won't worry about them just yet. Well water is pretty simple. It is water that is below the surface of the gound in "tables" that accumulates somewhere hopefully near your house. You simply have to pump it up to a storage tank for use through out your system. The best thing about well water is that, technically, it's free. The 3 biggest problems with well water are: 1. It is possible it may dry up someday especially during a drought. 2. It has to be tested and often treated to assure it's OK for human consumption. This has to be done by the ever vigilant homeowner to be sure his neighbors aren't dumping their used car oil or battery acid in the backyard. 3. You have to maintain the pumping system and tank. |
| "City water" is supplied by utility type companies and is prevelant in more populated areas. They usually draw large amounts of water from rivers or streams and chemically clean and treat it to make it safe to drink. Then it is pumped to big storage tanks mounted high above the ground. You know why this is done don't you? No, it's not because people like to stare at these giant, above ground water balloons and think about climbing to the top someday. It's because it is easier and cheaper to use smaller pumps to get this water up there and then let gravity supply the force to deliver it to your homes, than it would be to force-pump it to you. Never thought of that, did you? Is force-pump really a word? hmmmm The best thing about this type of water is that it is monitored by a company who must meet certain standards, so you don't have to check it yourself, (although you really should check up on the companies latest test reports) and since it draws off rivers, streams or other vast water supplies, it almost never runs out. The two problems with it are: 1.You have to pay for it and it seems the price goes up more and more every year. 2. You are subject to the chemicals they use to treat it, mainly, Chlorine, and additives such as flouride. |
| For those of you online still using buckets to supply water. It's pretty simple. You live near some water, go fill up your bucket, bring it home and that's it. Or you hope it rains a lot. |
Where Does The Waste Water Go? Do you really want to know?
| Mainly it depends on your location. Metropolitan areas that supply water also have multiple sewer systems that treat the waste water before releasing it back to the earth either into rivers, streams or in the ground. If you don't live near a sewer system chances are you have a septic tank system. A septic system is sort of a mini-treatement plant that filters the waste water before it seeps back into the water tables, another reason to test your well water (if thats what you have) often. Septic tanks have to be periodically pumped out and you can be glad you don't have that for a profession, but be thankful someone does. |
Thank God For Plumbers
| The advent of modern plumbing led not only to the advancement of society but also to the health and longevity of us all. It is pretty clear that as the industrial revolution began and man crowded together in towns and then cities, that certain, human, biological functions had to be dealt with on a large scale. If you think you missed the "good old days" I think you better check your history books. Raw sewage thrown in the streets, unsafe drinking water, bacteria, no Charmin, yeeechhhhhh. So don't complain when your plumber gives you a repair bill, think of the alternative. My Dad was a plumber and I may be a little biased. Speech over. |
Household Plumbing Tips
| There are volumes of books on do it yourself plumbing jobs. This will be short and hopefully point out some different insider tips. 1. Unscrew that little strainer at the end of your faucet and clean it out, it is probably full of sediment. 2. Any copper pipes or fittings that are turning green need to be cleaned off and possibly sanded as well. It is left over flux from soldering that causes this and it will continue to eat away at the pipe. Cleaning it now may prevent leaks later. 3. Check your washer hoses right now , if there is a bubble starting to form, shut off the valve and replace both hoses. I recommend the flexible metal type, they cost more but last longer. If you ever saw how much damage can be caused by one of these that burst when no one was home you would understand why I said check them now. 4. Use drain cleaner very sparingly. The same acid that eats the clog will also eat your pipes as well. It's good in a pinch but eventually you gotta get that drain cleaned out right. 5. Almost all sink drain clogs are right in that J trap under the sink. a good pair of channel lock pliers and 2 spare 15 cent washers will usually do the trick. Clean hair and goop out of them, usually your wife's and daughter's. Maybe it's your son's. Maybe it's your's. Whatever. Try not to let that stopper in the bottom of the sink sit too low. It slows the drain flow down and the traps accumulate sediment easier. 6. If your hot water tank needs replaced check out upgrading to a 50 gallon. 40 gallon is more standard and slightly cheaper but that extra 10 gallons can really make a difference, especially if you are the last one to use it. 7. If your hot water tank seems to perform real poorly, i.e. not much hot water, be aware they had a recall on dip tubes. Some rotted out and cut the performance way down. Check with your plumber. 8.Every home should have a plunger, you must know how they work. 9. If you are bold enough to replace a toilet be careful when bolting it down. Use an itsy, bitsy, teensie, weensie (yellow polka dot bikini) crescent wrench. So many people have overtightened those bolts and cracked the china. Your supplier will most likely not take it back if you do that. Also if it doesn't seem to sit tight or leaks at the bottom, try using 2 wax rings, one with the bellows and one without. And since all new toilets are water savers, in that they flush with less water, consider buying a better one. You will only have to flush it once and conserve water in the process. 10. Know where your main shut off is!!! Before you need it. |
Who To Call
| If you read the furnace repair section, then you already know my ideas on this. If you didn't read it then go back and do so. Insert plumber in place of contractor, company or serviceman. Got it, good. Now I don't have to through all that stuff again! One thing though, plumbers tend to be a little dirtier and maybe a little cruder than your family doctor. They are, however, just as important. They probably charge more than your physician too, but at least they still make house calls. |
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