Home Plumbing Maintenance

Home Plumbing Maintainance like it or not is to the key to keeping your plumbing humming! This video walks you through some typical tips to look out for in your home. By practicing good home plumbing maintenance, you'll be able to keep the plumber out of your house and cash in your pocket.

[@boltup5566]

How do you have only 14k subs? The big tile guys have 50 to 100k. You should be pushing 100k subs. Keep it up and own everything plumbing on youtube.

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

Good question! I keep looking straight ahead or I’ll get depressed. Thanks so much for the vote of confidence, much appreciated. Regards, Bob

[@Brian-Burke]

@@BobsPlumbingVideos Add one. I just found you and subscribed today. Love the channel! It'll pick up.

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

Brian Burke Thank you Brian!

[@hectorzeroni1088]

Very interesting. I read about plumbing at the library and have been interested in learning about it since then. Thank you for the information!

[@richardgarcia6108]

I Hello. It was long because you were very thorough. I enjoyed it. It was very logically structured for a DYIer or novice in plumbing. Keep up the good work,

[@curiosity2314]

Bob, great video learned a couple of things here one which should have been simple like the Vacuum breaker for the hose; I will be purchasing one of these soon. I have an active sump pump and yes I do have a spare on hand although it is here it is not ready with PVC ready to go so this I will be doing shortly so I can do a quick swap when needed. The sump has to be 10 years old and besides being used as drain tile it was also commissioned as a drain small as it may be to catch water on the sidewalk and pass through the sump. Had a water main break at the end of the driveway about two years ago; well lets put it this way the sump got a very good cleaning the day. It was ripping but it kept up and still working today. Got a new driveway on the city that needed replacement. The first example of the water meter is pretty much what I have, the gate and then because the gate functions but it does not seal I added the ball valve just aft. I do have a vent or what looks like a vent but I cannot identify what they are using it for, it is nearby the sump and closer to where once was a water softer and at the same location there is a 5 gallon bucket buried in the cement with only the lid showing which I have never removed. Not into letting Gremlins out if I do know whats inside. I would like to send pictures so you can help identify what this vent looking system is or does. You can always share it, if you could send me an email address so I can send pictures. Hard to believe you would have Trolls here. If so they need the education your providing here!

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

Curiosity Sure, you can send photos to: [e-mail]. Regards, Bob.

[@nelsonechevarria7009]

Great video Mr.Sessa,one thing that you didn't mention is installing a water pressure gauge before and after the PRV (Pressure Reducing Valve).Installing a water pressure gauge is essential in my opinion because that is the only way to determine what the water pressure before the PRV is and what the water pressure is coming out of the PRV.I had to replace the PRV that I installed when we first bought this house because a PRV had never been installed on the main.I got tired of running back and forth from the boiler room to the basement sink to test the water pressure to set the PRV at the appropriate pressure so what I did was that I installed a water pressure gauge down stream from the PRV which not only served to make it easier to adjust the PRV but also allows me to know what the water pressure is at any given time.The one thing that you mention in your video which I have not done yet is installing a backflow preventer on a hose bib water line and that will be my next project.Thank you for your wonderful videos Mr.Sessa,God bless you and yours.

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

Thank you Nelson, much appreciated!

[@briandjordjevic9969]

Bob you’re the best keep up the great videos

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

To Kind Brian! Much appreciated. Regards, Bob.

[@briandjordjevic9969]

BobsPlumbingVideos thanks Bob! Its always my pleasure to watch and learn from the best.

[@badchips10]

Good educational video. What sump pump are you using in your house? Using a 5 gallon bucket is a good idea.

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

Because it is a five gallon bucket, I had to find a pump where the float can ride freely without getting hung up on the sides of the bucket.I use the FloTec brand available at Home Depot. They've never failed me to this day. Regards, Bob.

[@untouchblz]

Just purchased a home, found cleanout without a cover. Should i do some sort of maintenance before simply replacing the cover? Should i use a snake to clean out any possible debris.

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

That's a judgement call, If it's not broke don't fix it. On the other hand for peace of mind snaking it out won't hurt.

[@588158]

Bob, I have a maintenance question. My tube faucet stems leak very badly when they are opened. I have packed them with the graphite stem packing but it doesn't last more then a week. This is the description of The faucets, they are circa 1936. when you remove the handle there are sleeves with a flared ends that slide over the faucet stems and the flared end is held in place with a packing nut. I believe the flared ends are there to compress the packing. When I packed them, I removed the packing nuts, removed the sleeves, cleaned out the old packing , wrapped the new packing counter clockwise about 4 to 5 turns around the stems and tightened the packing nuts. after few days some of the packing actually moved through and out of one of the sleeves. What do you suggest, I'm stumped

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

Clockwise! Never counter clockwise, the packing will back out everytime you turn the faucet on.

[@588158]

? but I am opening the faucet counter clockwise wouldn't I be backing out the packing if it were wound clockwise?

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

588158 if you open the faucet counter clockwise, install the packing clockwise. Sounds counter intuitive, but it worked for me when I was servicing those types of fixtures.

[@588158]

Thanks bob I'll give it a shot. Are packing washers also a possibility? Thanks always for your help; it is so much appreciated!

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

588158 They use to make pre-formed graphite packing washers. Next best thing would be to use a spool Teflon. Not tape. It’s approx. 1/8” in diameter and once you tighten the packing nut, it should stay put! Good luck!

[@jimkline6285]

Hi Bob, on a system with a PRV what is a good psi to have it set at, so you have good pressure for things like your shower, dishwasher etc but not to high as to damage your system, also will higher pressure cause water hammer , thanks Bob

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

Somewhere between 40.p.s.i (min) & 80 p.s.i. (max)and you'll be good to go!

[@xcmskim4]

are backflow preventers required in residential NYC homes (1-2 family homes)?

[@BobsPlumbingVideos]

If your home has a boiler (steam / hot water) or any equipment where the water supply could potentially be siphoned back into the city water supply...YES.