In today’s age, it is actually quite easy to be able to fix a number of issues around your property yourself, given the plethora of information and tutorial videos conveniently just a click away. The plumbing domain, however, can be a slippery slope. It is true that you can fix quite a few minor plumbing problems using some DIY tools, but it is also highly likely that you do a step wrong somewhere along the way. In addition to having a thorough understanding of plumbing principles, you also need to know the minor differences between many different types of pipes, plumbing fixtures, and fittings. Therefore, house owners often end up making mistakes when they engage in DIY plumbing projects. Below are some of those common DIY plumbing mistakes for you.
Over-tightening Connections
Lack of proper plumbing knowledge and the natural instinct to ensure that a job is done right results in over-tightened fittings, pipes, or supply tubes when homeowners take on plumbing projects themselves. What they are not aware of is that cranking too hard on a black or galvanized pipe, elbow, or a coupling can end up cracking the fitting instead of securing it in place. It may not show right away, but the cracks will have widened in a matter of weeks and will potentially flood your property.
Over tightening is even more common when it comes to DIY fixing of the plastic fittings of the toilet or the faucet supply tubes. Most home owners engaging in DIY plumbing tasks don’t understand that it doesn’t require that much amount of torque to do the job.
Using the Wrong Kind of Tape or Using It the Wrong Way
Since homeowners are generally not well acquainted with minor differences in the various different types of tools and plumbing materials, they often end up buying the wrong product to begin with. Furthermore, there are always issues with using materials such as tapes correctly. Teflon tape is supposed to be wrapped around the thread in a clockwise direction for it to work. However, most homeowners trying to fix their plumbing systems themselves end up doing it the opposite way. As a result, the Teflon tape goes on to unwind from the threads as they tighten the fittings which kills the whole purpose of providing a seal.
Using Drain Cleaners as a First Choice
When your kitchen or bathroom sink is clogged, the most effective way to unclog it is to use a barbed drain cleaning tool or snake. Or, you could pour out the debris and clog by simply removing the P-trap. However, most homeowners make the mistake of using the drain cleaners as their first and foremost strategy against clogging issues. They are not only quick to reach for drain cleaners, but also end up using way more than what is required or recommended. This basic mistake actually ends up doing more harm than good.
When you or your plumber will later remove trap to manually remove the clog, there will be caustic substance in there (thanks to the excessive use of drain cleaner earlier) that will require extra care and consideration in clearing the clog. Furthermore, using too much corrosive drain cleaner too often will damage the metal pipes and cause leaks over time.
Not Turning Off the Water
Many homeowners are often under the impression that they can quickly swap the new valve with the old one while the water stays on. As you might have guessed, that rarely works out. Usually, the water gushing out at full pressure is quick to flood your property while you try to put on the new valve. Experienced plumbing professionals make sure that they turn off the main valve before engaging in such work. All it takes is a small additional effort anyway which can potentially save you thousands of dollars in water damage repairs.
Not Using the Right Tools
Professional plumbers are well equipped with the right kind of tools for every plumbing job they might come across. This is what makes the job look easy to a great extent. DIYers, on the other hand, do not have the right tools at their disposal and often try to make do with whatever they have available. That is another major mistake in DIY plumbing. You’re almost asking for trouble if you commit such mistake. For example, attempting to remove a galvanized pipe with simple pliers or an everyday pipe wrench can break the pipe leaving the thread in the wall.
Performing Un-permitted DIY Work
Many DIYers taking up plumbing projects involving renovations seem to ignore the building codes and regulations in place in their states. Unpermitted renovation work will land you in trouble when you’re trying to sell the property later or updating the insurance. Besides, the codes have been devised in the first place to guarantee that the property is safe for residents. Taking up unpermitted DIY plumbing renovations can go on to risk the safety of your household.
In this day and age, where there are tutorials and guides available on the internet for practically every subject under the sun, it may seems like a nice idea to take up most plumbing related repairs and renovations yourself. However, the lack of thorough knowledge of plumbing issues, local codes and regulations, and inaccessibility to proper plumbing equipment cause many DIYers to commit a number of mistakes along the way. If you need any help with pressure regulation, detecting leaks or any other plumbing related issues around your house, try our dedicated plumbing services to take care of all your plumbing needs.