A fixture refers to anything in a home that has water flowing to it. A toilet, a sink, a hot water tank, a dishwasher, a bathtub; these are all examples of plumbing fixtures. Plumbers know the importance of keeping our fixtures operating like they should. Blockages, clogs, back flow issues and drainage are all things that a running toilet at fixing on a daily basis. Water not moving around as it should poses problems in all areas of a home. Having an issue with water leaving your home can be disastrous as water finds its own level and will back up and possibly spill out, causing a major mess and potentially a lot of damage. Water not going into your home properly causes problems within the pipes and then in turn within the appliances and fixtures that use that water to operate.
Turn off the water to the water line repair heater or if the valve is not working turn off the water to the house. If the valve is not working it will need to be replaced. In a future article we will discuss how to replace your valve.
81. Ever since I heard of a crew member cross threading the regulator whilst changing the gas bottle and causing a gas explosion, I have made it a two man job. One man does the actual change, and a second checks that it has been done properly.
Depending on your repair job you might need a bucket that will fit below the sink trap, as well as some rags and newspaper. Masking tape is useful for labeling and for wrapping around the heads of the wrench to protect your chrome tap handles. Rubber gloves are recommended, particularly when working with the toilet, but there are greases and glues that you may not want on your hands.
As with anything, when you are not sure how to fix a plumbing issue and when you don't have the proper equipment, you should contact a professional. They can usually find out what the problem is and resolve it for you in a short period of time. They will also be able to tell you if you have any other problems and water line repair they can suggest resolutions.
Turn the water off at the main shutoff valve at the street. You should be able to take a pair of pliers(or your bare hands) and turn the valve at the water meter to shut off the water to your home. Once you have shut off the water you can cut the pipe around the leak and make the repair.
Then, you can take your new shower parts home and reinstall them in the inner assembly. It is very important that everything be aligned properly and tightened to prevent leaks. Beware of over tightening, however, since this can also cause problems. Once you are sure everything is installed properly, replace the cover plate and turn the water back on to test your repair work. With a little bit of work, your do-it-yourself shower repair project can be a success. It does not take an expert, just a little effort and know how.