If you’re a homeowner who is not afraid to tackle some DIY plumbing, it pays to be extra careful. After all, the consequences of getting things wrong can be disastrous, to say the least. It’s important to remember that plumbing is a science where every tiny little detail counts, so it’s well worth taking your time and understanding what you’re doing before you start tampering with any pipes or drains.
It’s also worth noting that really bad DIY plumbing disasters can take some serious time to fix, which is why it pays to be careful and methodical when carrying out these tasks. Below are some common DIY plumbing mistakes to avoid.
Isolating all pipes before you take out a fitting, fixing, or replacing any parts can be a huge help to both prevent leaks and allow you to work more efficiently. A great way to isolate pipes is to clamp them with a nylon tie and avoid the use of tape. It’s also worth noting that you should ensure that the clamps that you use are positioned well out of the way, as they can easily cause damage to nearby areas if it accidentally falls on them.
This is a common problem that can often happen because people are so used to running water 24 hours a day. If you’re not sure if the water should be turned off, experts at All-Season Plumbing suggest calling your plumber first before doing anything else.
The reason for this is simple; whenever you replace any fitting or part, it’s important to test the drain flow before trying it out in any way. This can be done by simply running the water for a short amount of time.
The above point is just a slight variation of this one, but it’s still worth speaking about it since it’s such a common mistake. The reason it happens is that folks are eager to get the job done as quickly as they can, but they often forget that they need to isolate the pipes first and turn off the main water source before attempting any changes.
This is a common problem that can often happen because folks will tend to use more force when tightening up fittings, which can often cause more damage than good. It’s best to only use the amount of force necessary for the job since excess force can easily cause damage.
Over-torquing may be just as bad as using too much force because it’s likely to result in too much pressure and thus cause an uneven fit. The solution here is to use a torque wrench for your situation. And even though you should only eyeball it for now, as you progress with your plumbing job, you’ll likely end up using a torque wrench for every part you fix or replace.
It’s worth noting that if you aren’t skilled enough to do the job, then it’s wise to rely on a professional. It’s also best to avoid doing any plumbing task with a damaged drain, as you might then end up causing more damage. And when it comes to pipes, you need to be careful about putting too much pressure on them as well.
The reason for this is that when you mix these three, you can potentially end up with a frozen drain, sewage blockage, or even a water leak. It’s best not to mix up these items unless you’re certain that there are no problems.
This is a problem that can often happen because folks will be in a hurry and not bother measuring the amount of fluid they should use. It’s best to stick to the instructions of your particular brand regarding how much fluid you should add. If you want to avoid this problem, then it’s best simply to read and reread the instructions first before attempting any plumbing repair or fixing.
The above are just some of the common DIY plumbing mistakes that you’ll want to avoid. Also, it’s worth noting that the first time you try out any plumbing task, it’s often best to ask a friend to help you. If this is not possible, find someone whose advice and experience you trust, and then ask them for help. You can also lookup guides from experts as well on YouTube or other similar sites.
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓