General Plumbing Questions & Answers

Q: What types of plastic pipes are for home plumbing?

A: CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride), PEX (Cross-Linked Polyethylene), and PB (Polybutylene). The most common one that is being used in most homes today is pex pipe.

Q: Which is the best pipe for residential plumbing?

A: Heath and Field uses Upinor (Wirsbo) Pex tubing because of the method in which the cross linking is done. The degree of molecular crossing is about 85%, the highest in the industry. This allows for the tightest radius in bends and the greatest memory so, in the event of an occasional kink, it can be taken out with indirect heat.

Q: What causes a high pitch sound in plumbing?

A: Usually, this is caused by a loose washer or screw located on a shut-off or a fixture.

Q: How can you kill algae in plumbing?

A: You can do this by filling the system with a water/chlorine solution, at least 50 parts per million, and letting the system sit for 24 hours; or a water/chlorine solution, at least 200 parts per million, and letting the system sit for three hours. Following the required standing time, the system shall be flushed with clean potable water until the chlorine is purged from the system.

Q: Does all plumbing have to meet code?

A: Although the plumbing code for NH does allow for home owners to do their own plumbing on their primary place of residence, every bit of the plumbing system has to be inspected and pass code. Outside of your primary residence, the plumbing installation or repair must be done by a licensed professional.

Q: How to connect a propane grill to household gas plumbing?

A: First, you are required by law to hire a licensed gas installer to do this work. He or she would need to calculate the BTU load to figure out if the existing gas pipe sizing can handle the extra load. If it can, you can tap into the existing system and add an appliance regulator before tying it back to the grill. If you are tying in between the first stage and second stage regulator, it is mandatory that you install a second stage regulator before piping to the grill.

Q: How to fix air locks in plumbing?

A: This question may be referring to either a gravity feed system or a heating system because a standard system is under pressure and never hasan air lock. If it’s a gravity system, you need to pump water from the lowest point to the highest point in the system to alleviate the air in the system. If this is a heating system, then you need to isolate the return from the boiler with a valve and then open the purge valve that is just above the isolation valve. Once you’ve done this, open the feed valve to the heating system to push water from the feed side of the boiler to the purge station. Do not exceed 30 psi or your relief valve will go off.

Q: How to insulate outdoor plumbing?

A: Use a closed cell foam insulation and either glue the seam closed or buy the insulation with the pre-glued seam which is much easier to install.

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