Friday, October 23rd, 2009
Inspect Fittings
Which fittings need inspection? Check all of the following: Look at the hot line and cold line. They are on top of the water heater. The cold line is on the right and the hot line is on the left always. If you don’t notice any rusting, then move on. Next, inspect the T&P valve. The T&P valve is located on top for some electric water heaters. All other T%P valves will be found on the side of the tank. It looks like a spout with a one inch long movable lever. A piece of plastic pipe may be connected to the spout, but not in all cases. Sometimes there is no pipe attached to the spout at all. Check the drain valve which is at the bottom of the water heater. It looks like a standard outdoor hose bibb. Also check the thermostat located behind a panel on the upper half of most electrical water heaters. In order to check these areas, simply wipe a cotton swab all around the areas. Look at the wiped swab for rust or moisture. If rust or moisture appear, wrap these areas with teflon tape or disassemble these parts and replace them. A plumber should be used for this maintenance. Check the lower element on an electrical water heater as well. It will be found behind a panel on the lower half of an electric water heater. If moisture appears here, the gaskets will need to be replaced. Call a plumber for this service as well.
Leaky Fittings
As already discussed, the problem areas for leaks are the drain valve, heating elements for electrical water heaters, and the hot and cold connections on top. The ball valves on hot and cold lines can leak around the nut used to rotate the lever. Remember the hot and cold lines are the two plumbing lines on top of the water heater. This leak can in time destroy the tank enough to warrant a new tank. If you notice water stains on and around the tank, do not forget that the ball valves on top may be leaking all over the water heater. If you’ve followed some energy conservation advice and installed an insulation blanket around your water heater, just be aware that leaky fittings will be hidden beneath this blanket. Rusting may occur under a blanket more quickly than without one. Do not insulate directly around fittings, especially the hot and cold lines and the T&P valve.
John Haynes
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/inspecting-leaky-fittings-on-water-heaters-and-stopping-them-from-causing-floods-or-worse-68542.html
Technorati Tags: Ball Valves, Cold Line, Cotton Swab, Drain Valve, Electric Water Heater, Electric Water Heaters, Gaskets, Heating Elements, Hose Bibb, Hot Line, New Tank, Plastic Pipe, Plumber, Plumbing Lines, Problem Areas, Spout, T Amp, Teflon Tape, Thermostat, Water Stains
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
When it comes to installing a new dishwasher, you need not to hire a plumber for this. It is very easy and you can do it yourself. You just have to follow the following steps.
However, before you start, make sure the following tools are available to you, as you will need them in the process.
Tools
Screwdriver
Multimeter
Slip-joint pliers
Needle-nose pliers
Adjustable wrench
Note: If you are replacing an old dishwasher, you must buy a same size new dishwasher.
Installation Process
The following steps will let you know how you can install a new dishwasher. We have assumed that you are replacing an old dishwasher with a new one. Therefore, the procedure starts from removing the old dishwasher first and then installing the new one.
1. Turn off the water supply at the valve.
2. At the electrical service panel, switch off the power for the dishwasher.
3. At the top of the dishwasher counter flange, you will find some screws. Unscrew them with the screwdriver to remove them.
4. Now pull out the bottom cover.
5. Be very careful. Make sure that you have turned off the power. Open the electrical box to confirm the same. You can do it by attaching the black multimeter contact to the ground and then touching the red contact to the white wire and the black wire.
6. At the end of the wires, attach wire nuts. Now remove the wires from the terminal screws and tuck them out of the way.
7. Find out where is the water supply under the washer.
8. Disconnect the water supply line from the water inlet by removing the nut.
9. Loosen the clamp and remove the hose to disconnect the drain hose from beneath the sink.
10. After disconnecting all the attachments, place a blanket in front of the dishwasher, slowly lift up the dishwasher and put it onto the blanket.
11. Keep a towel ready with you because in this process of lifting up the dishwasher and putting it onto the blanket, some water may spill out. If it happens, just wipe it with the towel.
12. Now that you have removed the old dishwasher, clean the area where the old dishwasher was placed and where you have to install the new one.
13. Position the new dishwasher on its back.
14. Connect the drain hose with a compression clamp.
15. Wrap the water line connection with Teflon tape and attach the 90-degree brass fitting that is used to connect the water line, also known as dishwasher 90.
16. Adjust the front legs of the new dishwasher downward so that you can easily slide the unit into place. Meanwhile, with the help of an assistant, slide the drain hose also under the sink.
17. Connect the water line underneath the dishwasher to the dishwasher 90.
18. Pass the electric cable through the sleeve on the dishwasher and tighten the same so that the cable could not be pulled out.
19. Now make all the connections of the wire: ground wire to the green screw, white wire to white wire, and black wire to black wire. Use wire nuts to secure the connection.
20. Connect the new drain hose at its previous position.
21. Fill the water line by opening the hot water valve.
22. Carefully examine if there is any leaks.
23. If any leaks occur, recheck all the connections and test again.
24. Once you are sure that there is no leaks or problem as such, go ahead.
25. Adjust front legs of the dishwasher and position it properly on a level.
26. Drive the small mounting screws into the underside of the countertop through the flange in order to attach the dishwasher to the countertop.
27. Reconnect the water supply line.
28. Turn on the power and your dishwasher is ready to act.
Hence, if you follow the above steps, you can easily install your new dishwasher yourself. However, you need to be very careful especially while making the electric connections. Make sure that you have turned off the electric power.
Owen Walcher
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/installing-a-new-dishwasher-without-a-plumber-81270.html
Technorati Tags: Adjustable Wrench, Attachments, Clamp, Dishwasher Installation, Drain Hose, Electrical Service, Flange, Install Dishwasher, Installing A New Dishwasher, Installing Dishwasher, Needle Nose Pliers, Panel Switch, Plumber, Process Tools, Terminal Screws, Water Inlet, Water Supply Line, Wire Nuts
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