This article series provides an updated version of Hubbard Cobb's Your Dream Home, illustrated by Sigman-Ward, first published by Wm. H. Wise & Co. New York, 1950.

From site selection and obtaining financing through each step in construction of a single family home the simple procedures and drawings in this book are still useful for anyone building or repairing a home or other small structure.

How to Pressure Test the Plumbing Drain & Supply Piping

Before fixtures are connected into the drainage system, the work should be checked over to be sure that it is perfectly tight. The simplest way to do this is to fill the system completely full of water.

To do this all the openings in the system except one must be closed tightly. You can get a special test plug with a rubber ring that can be placed in an opening and then expanded by means of screws so that it will make an air-tight fit.

After all the openings have been closed with these plugs, the system is filled with water. This can be done by pouring water down the top of the vent stack. When the system is full, allow it to stand for a while and then see if there is any drop in the water level in the stack.

If there is a drop, go over the work carefully until you find the spot where the water is escaping. If it is a threaded fitting, it may be that the threads were not properly cut or perhaps you neglected to use pipe compound on the threads. In the case of a caulked fitting that leaks there is no easy way to make repairs. The job should be done over again. The joint can be freed by holding a blow-torch to it until the lead melts out.

If water is escaping through cracks in the cast-iron soil-pipe hub, this entire section will have to be removed.

A test on the fresh-water system is not absolutely vital, but it is a wise precaution to take. It can be made by plugging up the openings and running water through the line. The chances are that you will not need any additional pressure in the line to expose any flaws in your work.

Sometimes a special pump is used to increase the pressure in the line a little over and above that found in normal fresh-water systems.

This is a section of Chapter 13 of BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

This entire chapter is also available as PLUMBING SYSTEM INSTALLATION [eBook], or as a PDF image at THE HOUSE PLUMBING SYSTEM [PDF] original page images.

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Continue reading at XSEPTIC TANK, DRAINFIELD INSTALLATION - next section of this chapter, or go to book contents at BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these sections of Chapter 13 - PLUMBING SYSTEM INSTALLATION

1. PROPER PLUMBING WORK is IMPORTANT
2. WATER SUPPLY SOURCES
3. TYPES of PIPING MATERIALS
4. COPPER PIPE INSTALLATION
5. COPPER FLARE CONNECTIONS
6. PIPE SIZE SELECTION
7. CAST IRON PIPE INSTALLATION
8. PLUMBING SYSTEM LAYOUT PLAN
9. PLUMBING FIXTURE INSTALLATION BATH KITCHEN
10. WATER HEATERS & TANKS
11. PLUMBING SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTS
12. SEPTIC TANK, DRAINFIELD INSTALLATION
13. PLUMBING MATERIALS LIST for the basic house

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME
• LEAK CAUSES in WATER PIPING
• LEAK TYPES, WATER SUPPLY or DRAIN PIPES
• PLUMBING VENT DISTANCES & ROUTING
• SUPPLY PIPING - home
• WATER SUPPLY & DRAIN PIPING - home
  

Suggested citation for this web page

PLUMBING SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to PLUMBING SYSTEMS

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