Don’t Be Fooled by These Common DIY Plumbing Mistakes
With April 1st right around the corner, no one wants to look like a fool. And while we can’t prevent you from being the butt of an April Fool’s Day prank, we can help you avoid making these foolish DIY plumbing mistakes.
Common Do-It-Yourself Plumbing Mistakes
We don’t mean to discourage handy DIYers from tackling their own home improvement or repair projects. There are some household plumbing repairs and upgrades that can be done with a few special tools, a little know-how and a bit of elbow grease. Unfortunately, there are also some very common mistakes DIYers tend to make when it comes to plumbing. If you’ve done your homework and are ready to take on a household plumbing project, don’t be made to look a fool by making these common DIY mistakes.
Overtightening
Make sure you’re not cranking too hard on your fittings and bolts. If you are, you risk cracking the fitting or breaking the seal which lead to a leak. Overtightening can even cause you to break the fixture or your toilet.
Relying on Liquid Drain Cleaner
Snakes, barbed drain cleaning tools or removing and cleaning the P-trap are much better solutions when it comes to unclogging a drain, but many DIYers make the mistake of reaching for the liquid drain cleaner. Liquid drain cleaner is corrosive and can create more problems, especially if you use too much, use it too often or let it sit too long.
Not Having Spare Parts
If you’re going to take apart a faucet or a drainpipe to fix a leak, make sure you have enough parts to replace all the washers, seals and gaskets you’ll come across rather than just replacing one single part. You’ll often find, if one part is worn, so are others. There’s also the chance you’ll drop, misplace or damage one as well. And if you don’t have the spare parts on hand, you’ll be making another trip to the hardware store or dissembling and reassembling again.
Not Shutting Off the Water
It only takes a few minutes and could save you thousands of dollars in damage, yet some DIYers make the mistake of skipping this step. No matter how simple or quick your repair is, you should always turn off the main water supply valve before starting your project.
Using the Wrong Tools
You might think you can make do with the tools you have on hand, but this can be a big mistake. Using the wrong tools for the job could damage the finish, leave things looking less than ideal or even cause a pipe to break. Before you start any home plumbing project make sure you’ve got the right tools for the job.
Not Hiring a Plumber
It’s important to know your limits when it comes to DIY projects and when it’s time to call in a professional plumber. Not knowing when a job is too big or too complicated can be a big mistake that can lead to even bigger problems.
If you have a plumbing issue that’s too big for you to handle, you can always rely on the quick, capable and affordable plumbers at One Hour Rooter. For more tips from our plumbers check out our commonly asked plumbing questions and answers or these 7 plumbing tips for beginners. To schedule an appointment call us at 612-354-8984 or schedule an appointment online.
