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Plumbing Fittings and Faucets

Bob and Dan Gerry form Tranquility Plumbing agree that budgeting for high-quality fittings and fixtures is important. The Moen diverter and sprayer that Gerry is installing is a great unit that is easily repaired by the homeowner. Gerry says that it is important to consider availability of parts when selecting fixtures, because every faucet will need repairs sometime. Gerry runs the supply line then adds a weight that will pull it though as soon as the sink is installed. He also fits the shut-off valves and tightens them in place so that water can be shut off at the site without needing to turn off service to the entire house.

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Clip Transcript For:

Plumbing Fittings and Faucets

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" One of the mistakes that a lot of people make when remodeling or building from scratch is not budgeting enough money for the fittings -- in the kitchen sink fittings the faucet or in the bathrooms and -- our plumber isn't it true that you know you don't want to have to be calling a plumber to do repairs on your kitchen process so it makes sense to get some quality in there."

" Absolutely yeah wouldn't we got here. We have name -- This would be the moen diverter with a pull out spray through the spout yeah. -- like -- very nice product very easily maintained. Homeowners can repair this in five minutes."

" Well that's the thing today is we have so many options in the world of plumbing some of it is very sophisticated and expensive when it comes time do repair. Correct you can cost."

" That's something you might want to think about when you're buying a faucet is availability of repair parts no matter how well let's build eventually it's gonna have to be repaired."

" Yes and it was made in what overseas then sometimes it's not so easy the sum of the parts aren't very common to find this looks like oil rubbed bronze -- its. It's a brass alloy. And what do you install first."

" Usually we put the murder and then there on this particular model it's got a spray that comes through here and hooks to the faucet here. And then what attaches this says about midway into the loop. Is that a weight we put on there -- actual. When you go to put the sink back on the way to -- them socket -- retract it right. What are you doing next. OK and what we've done after we've -- so."

" You supply arms to the faucets itself and then we've taken time into our what we call stops they shut off the department. And in the --"

" It's required that way if you do have a problem with something you're not haven't shut -- bounced right you're able just shut off the one fiction."

" No copper pipe to cut. --"

" And that's going to lunch at an installation of the faucet great."

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Sweating a Joint in Copper Plumbing

The plumber Steve Bowton shows Bob how to sweat a joint in copper plumbing. First he cleans the pipes with an emery cloth. Then he explains that plumbers no longer use lead solder and instead use a tin and antimony mixture to protect homeowners from lead poisoning. Then he puts flux on the pipes and the fittings. Places the fixture on the pipes and levels it, then solders the joints. The flux helps draw the solder into the space.

Quieting Loud Pipes

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. If your pipes are whistling, banging or knocking when you turn the water on or off, there are things you can do to quiet them. Water hammer is a common cause of banging pipes. In plumbing where water pressure is high, shutting off the tap can cause the pressure to back up and jolt the pipe, a little like slamming on the brakes in your car. The jolt can be especially violent when a solenoid-controlled appliance like a washer or dishwasher shuts the tap since the shutoff happens instantaneously. Many homes come already equipped with water hammer arresters, which are small air chambers attached above the water line to absorb the pressure of the water as it s shut off. Spiral-shaped water hammer arresters were also used years ago and you may still find them in older homes. Plumbing that s not properly anchored to the framing can rub or bang on whatever is nearby and cause a racket. All this banging and jolting can strain pipes and copper fittings and you can eventually wind up with a leak. It s best to deal with the cause of the noise wherever you have access to the plumbing. Plastic or nylon pipe inserts work well to cushion pipes running through framing members, but they need to be installed when you do the plumbing. For retrofitting, try pipe hangers. These plastic hooks hold the pipe off the framing and have a felt or rubber cushion to absorb any movement and prevent noise. Whistling sounds are also common where a shutoff valve hasn t been opened all the way or where pressure is high. If your water pressure is excessively high, installing a pressure-reducing valve near the water meter will get rid of the noise and lower your water bill. But consult a plumber first to be sure it won t take too much pressure away from any upper story plumbing. Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

Soldering a Copper Pipe Joint

Plumber Jack O'Leary shows Bob how to sweat a copper pipe joint. Jack cleans the pipe ends and fittings prior to applying the flux and explainsthe purpose of each step.

Copper Pipe Joints

First use fine sandpaper to clean the inside of the fitting and the ends of the pipe. Then brush flux onto your fitting. Join the pipes together and use a propane torch to heat the fitting, not the pipe; that pulls the solder into the joint. If the copper turns black, it's too hot. Now, wipe off the excess, and that's all there is to it.