How To Avoid Common DIY Plumbing Mistakes – Our Top 5 Tips
- By: Amer ZaghloulehUncategorizedComment: 0
If you’re looking to save some time and money by doing a few simple DIY plumbing jobs, like replacing a toilet yourself, repairing a leak, or troubleshooting a tough clog or blocked drain, you may be wondering how to safely go about these tasks.
1. Turn Off Your Main Water Supply
Before you do anything related to your plumbing, turn off your main water supply. This is usually located near the front foundation wall, and turns off water from the water main. Doing this is essential – failing to shut off the water main could lead to thousands of dollars in water damage, even during a simple DIY job!
2. Don’t Over-Tighten Anything
Tightening fittings and plumbing connections too much will strip them and lead to permanent damage. Go easy, and consider using Teflon plumber’s tape to help prevent leaks without over-tightening the fittings.
3. Make Sure You’ve Got The Right Tool For The Job
Don’t use a flat-head screwdriver for a Phillips-head screw. Don’t try to solder a copper pipe without a proper soldering kit – and so on.
If you are going to be doing a DIY plumbing project, make sure you have all of the right tools for the job. If you don’t, and you try to use the wrong tool, you could end up making things a lot more difficult for yourself.
4. Avoid Chemical Drain Cleaners
As a rule, we don’t recommend using harsh chemical drain cleaners to unclog hair clogs, grease clogs, food clogs, and other clogs in your drains. They work pretty well, but their corrosive nature can damage or wear down your pipes with repeated use, leading to more serious issues.
Want a better alternative? Grab a plumber’s snake from your local home improvement store. This tool can be used to unclog most minor-to-moderate clogs – without worrying about damaging your pipes.
5. Know When You’re Not Qualified For The Job
Unclogging a toilet is one thing. Replacing your water heater or installing a new gas line is a different beast entirely – and as a homeowner, it’s important to know when you need to hire a pro.
If you start looking up DIY fixes for a serious plumbing issue and aren’t confident about your ability to handle it, don’t risk it – call a pro like Anytime Plumbing. If you mess up or get in over your head, you could face a much costlier repair bill than you would if you just turned to a pro in the first place. So know when you need to call for help!
Contact Anytime Plumbing For The Help You Need In Santa Cruz
Not prepared to take on a plumbing job on your own? Contact us online or give us a call at 831-431-6593 to schedule an appointment and get the expert assistance you need in Santa Cruz and the surrounding areas.
