There are many minor plumbing repairs that homeowners can carry out on their own but it’s very important to leave all major plumbing work (and all minor plumbing work that one isn’t sure of) to a plumbing professional, especially if the repair in question involves electricity.
As we should all know well, water and electricity don’t mix, so everyone should call a plumber if they have a problem with, for example, their dishwasher or electric hot water system. Plumbing repairs which involve electricity are best left to the professionals.
1. Not Turning Off the Water
This is one of the most common mistakes that people make when attempting to fix the plumbing. It’s a funny image to imagine, that of someone struggling to contain the water gushing out of a pipe, but those who have made this common plumbing mistake would be only too aware of the mess that can be made.
2. Not Having the Right Tools
To carry out any kind of DIY plumbing repair you need the right plumbing tools, something that expert local plumbers know all about as they would never attempt plumbing repairs without having all the tools required on hand and ready to go.
When homeowners attempt a DIY repair without the correct tools, they risk having to stop the job halfway through, go to the hardware store, buy the right tools, return and then complete the job. That’s if they were able to buy the right tools, but what would happen if they’re weren’t able to!
3. Not Having the Right Supplies
A similar scenario to the one discussed above would ensue, a scenario that puts the homeowner at risk of a major mess and damage to their plumbing system. If they were attempting gas hot water repairs, which they shouldn’t attempt in the first place, this could make for quite a disaster, one that’s expensive to rectify.
4. Over-tightening
Over-tightening screws and piping can tear the thread and split the fittings. This may mean the homeowner would have to purchase new plumbing parts which could make the project expensive.
5. Forgetting How to Put Things Back Together
Taking photos of each part as they’re disassembled is an excellent way of preventing an avoidable mistake like this, a mistake that although simple, can prove time-consuming. It happens all the time!
6. Overusing Drain Cleaners
Drain cleaners help keep drains clean and clear, but overusing them can pose many problems, including causing damage to the drains and the piping. There are more drain-safe solutions than drain cleaners, like baking soda and vinegar.
We all make mistakes from time to time, after all, that’s just part of being human, but there are many mistakes, like these six common DIY plumbing mistakes, that can be avoided with a little know-how. And as discussed earlier, it’s important not to tackle repairs that involve water and electricity, so stay safe and always call an experienced plumbing professional if something goes wrong with the home plumbing. Companies like Anytime Plumbing, Inc. are well aware of these common DIY mistakes and are at the ready should you want to avoid these costly mistakes in your own home.
