Why do we need plumbing codes and permits? To establish standards to protect the health and safety of the community, and to see that those standards are followed. Faulty plumbing can cause serious health and safety hazards, such as toxic gas backups, bursting pipes, floods, and electrical shorts.
There are six model plumbing codes in print, but regulations regarding methods, materials, and design differ from one state, county, or municipality to the next. Local codes supersede the model codes.
Materials and methods specified in local codes are constantly being updated. The most controversial material in plumbing today is plastic pipe. It’s prohibited entirely in some areas of the country; in others it’s permitted for drain-waste and vent pipes only.
Just like a contractor, a do-it-yourself plumber must abide by all the rules and regulations of the codes. If your work violates a code, you run the risk of having to rip it all out.
Before you begin any work, be sure your plumbing plans conform to local codes and ordinances. Discuss your plans in detail with a local building inspector, and be sure the methods and materials you’re planning to use are acceptable. The inspector will tell you whether or not you need a plumbing or building permit.
Projects that involve changes or additions to your plumbing system— specifically, to the pipes—usually re quire permits. You won’t need a permit, though, for replacements—a new fixture or appliance—or for emergency repairs, as long as the work doesn’t alter the plumbing system. When in doubt, be sure to check.
How to read your water meter Reading a water meter isn’t nearly as complicated as all those dials make it seem, and it can help you detect leaks as well as keep track of water usage. Three types of meters. Your home’s water usage is probably measured by one of the three common meters. The six-dial meter is by far the most prevalent for residential use (see Ill. A). Five of its six dials (labeled 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000, and 100,000 for the number of cubic feet of water they record per revolution) are divided into tenths. The needles of the 10,000 and 100 meters move clock wise, and those of the other three move counterclockwise. The remaining dial, which is usually undivided, measures a single cubic foot per revolution. To read the six-dial meter, begin with the dial labeled 100,000, noting the smaller of the two numbers nearest the needle. Then read the dial labeled 10,000 and so on. The five-dial meter is read in exactly the same way as the six-dial meter, except that single cubic feet are measured by a large needle that sweeps over the entire face of the meter (see Ill. B). The digital read-out meter looks like an odometer, giving you the total number of cubic feet at a glance (see Ill. C). This meter may also have a small dial that measures a single cubic foot per revolution. Measuring usage and detecting leaks. Keeping track of the water used for a specific task or by a specific appliance is as simple as reading your meter. Just subtract the “before” reading from the “after” reading. To track down a possible leak, turn off all the water outlets in the house and note the position of the one-foot dial on your meter. After 30 minutes, take another look at the dial. If the needle has moved, you have a leak.
|
