Plumbers East Stroudsburg PA install piping that delivers water to and drains waste from residential homes and industrial facilities. They also inspect plumbing systems to identify potential problems or violations of building codes and blueprints.
Often, plumbing work requires the use of hand tools and is done in tight spaces. For this reason, it’s important for plumbers to be punctual to avoid disrupting the lives of their clients.
Even if your O-ring has the right size and material for its application, it won’t seal properly if the mating surfaces it is supposed to seal against aren’t smooth enough. Surface irregularities like scratches and gouges create tiny channels that allow fluids or gases to escape, resulting in leaks. Careful dismantling and lubrication will help prevent these types of surface problems.
O-rings can also be damaged by chemical reactions that affect their structural integrity and lead to swelling, cracking or degradation. It is important to match the O-ring’s material with the chemicals in its environment to avoid these types of reactions.
Another common problem is extrusion, which occurs when an o-ring is squeezed into a gap between moving parts that is too large for it to seal comfortably. This can be caused by rapid pressure surges that push the o-ring into a clearance gap, pinching it between moving metal surfaces and deforming its shape. This type of damage is usually easy to spot because the edges of the o-ring may appear nibbled or ruffled when it is removed from its application.
In addition to surface problems, O-rings can be damaged during installation or removal. Inspecting the o-ring before installing it and using care when dismantling it will help prevent damage, while keeping it lubricated during installation will improve its life span.
A regular maintenance schedule that includes checking and cleaning o-rings, will help keep them in good condition and prevent leaks. In high-wear applications, this maintenance may be daily, whereas in low-wear environments, it may be quarterly or semi-annual. Proper storage, handling and disposal of o-rings will also help ensure they remain in good working order. For example, it is a good idea to store o-rings in a clean, dry location away from heat sources and magnetic fields, which can cause them to lose their lubricity. O-rings that are leaking or showing signs of damage should be replaced immediately to avoid further damage and failure. This is a simple step that will save you the time and expense of costly repairs in the future.
Damaged Seat Washer
A damaged seat washer can also cause a faucet to leak, although it’s less common than a faulty O-ring. The seat washer sits atop a screw at the base of the stem. If it’s worn or stretched out, it will need to be replaced. A leaking faucet may also be caused by the seat washer being crushed or deformed by pressure from the valve handle.
The washer, which is flat or domed on one side and domed on the other, helps to hold the valve seat in place when the valve is closed. It also absorbs some of the shock when opening and closing the handle, helping to protect the seat from damage. In some cases, a plumber will put teflon tape around the threads of the stem and seat to prevent the washer from damaging the valve seat. This will reduce the amount of time you spend repairing a leaking faucet.
Damaged Handle
Plumbers often deal with plumbing emergencies, such as a burst pipe or backed-up sewer line. These situations require immediate attention to prevent further damage and minimize the cost of repair. In some cases, plumbers may need to open walls in your home to access the pipes. As a result, they might accidentally damage some part of your property.
In such cases, it’s important to hire a plumber with extensive experience and training. They can handle a variety of tasks and may be able to fix the problem in less time than you would expect. Additionally, plumbers have specialized tools and equipment that can help them complete the task more efficiently. For example, they can use hydro-jetting machines to clear stubborn blockages without damaging your pipes.