4 Common Plumbing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, knowing a bit about how to do certain home repairs can help if you’re in a tough spot.
Doing plumbing repairs on your own can be helpful, but that’s only true if you understand what you’re doing. It’s far too easy to make plumbing mistakes that could cause more problems than the one you originally dealt with.
Instead of focusing on what to do to fix plumbing problems, we’re going to focus on mistakes you should avoid making. If you want to become a plumbing home repair expert, make sure you avoid these mistakes.
1. Forgetting to Turn Off the Water
This is one of the most basic things you need to do to handle plumbing repairs, but it’s very easy to forget. Not turning off the water can lead to a small flood, gushing pipes, and in some cases fresh sewage in your home.
Get to know your home’s plumbing system before you start making any repairs. Turn off the water at the local shutoff valve, or at the water main if you can’t find the local valve.
2. Connecting Galvanized and Copper Pipes
Using proper plumbing tools and equipment is important for home repair. Most homeowners just look for pipes that can fit their current plumbing systems. Very few know to look for pipes that are made from certain materials.
When galvanized and copper pipes connect, corrosion usually occurs. Some skilled plumbers are able to get around this issue by using a special plastic sleeve to connect the pipes, but this can be difficult to do on your own.
Make sure you research the kind of pipes you need to use before you go out and buy anything. If you’re unsure of what to purchase, consult with a plumber.
3. Over Using Drain Cleaner
Drain cleaner can seem like a miracle product for homeowners that hate dealing with clogged pipes. Using drain cleaner every once in a while is okay, but if you start to rely on it you could be causing more problems for yourself in the future.
Some of the chemicals used in popular drain cleaners can damage galvanized plumbing. If you use the product too often, your pipes may become corroded or leaky.
Luckily, there are alternatives to chemical drain cleaner. Consider using a snake to clog troublesome drains, or use natural alternatives to speed up sluggish drains. If you’re dealing with a serious clog in a septic tank, rent a hot water jetter to use pressurized hot water to clear blockages.
4. Forgetting to Check on Pipes
Did you just do a pipe repair in your home? Don’t make the mistake of assuming everything is fine because things look okay as soon as you’re done.
It’s possible that there could be a more serious issue than a simple pipe repair. If you don’t check on the area you just fixed problems could return without you knowing.
Check on pipes for a few weeks after you do your repair to make sure there are no leaks. Also, be sure to pay special attention to recently repaired pipes when it’s very cold or very warm outside.
Avoid Plumbing Mistakes for Simple Home Repair
Knowing to avoid these 4 plumbing mistakes can save you a lot of time and money in the future. Be sure to keep them in mind as your DIY repair skills grow.
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