At some point in their lifetime, homeowners will face plumbing system issues. Making sure the job is done right the first time can save you time and money. Unfortunately, homeowners can make plenty of mistakes when they attempt certain repairs on their own. When an issue arises, you must address it immediately with a licensed plumbing company instead of trying to fix certain things yourself.
Attempting DIY plumbing repairs can be a mistake. Instead of fixing the issue, you may inadvertently cause it to worsen or become even more costly. The professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of San Angelo are here to assist you with your issues. We've got you covered, from faucet repair and leak detection to a broken sewer main.
Common Home Plumbing Mistakes to Avoid
Plenty of mistakes can be made when you attempt to repair a plumbing issue at home. Some of these mistakes might be simple and not have severe consequences. Others can cause worsening problems and cost you much more time and money than if you had called a professional plumber in the first place. Below is a list of certain DIY mistakes to avoid at home.
Over-Tightening Connections
One of the most frequent mistakes homeowners can make is over-tightening pipes and fittings, supply tubes, and toilet bolts. If you crank down too hard, you risk cracking the fitting itself. However, this crack might not appear right away. If the break occurs later, it could cause flooding in your home. You may also crank down too hard on toilet bolts and crack the porcelain, destroying the toilet and causing further leakage.
Using the Wrong Tape or Wrapping Backward
Threading tape must be wrapped clockwise around the threads to work properly. A mistake often made is wrapping the tape in the opposite direction so that it unwinds from the threading as the fitting is tightened. This defeats the entire purpose of the repair.
Folks at home might accidentally use the wrong tape for the project. A plumber will use thin, white, or thick pink tape for fittings that carry water. The yellow gas-rated tape will be used for gas line connections, and thread tape must never be used on flare or compression fittings.
Using Drain Cleaners
When faced with a clog in their kitchen or bathroom sink drain, many use a chemical drain cleaner to pour in too much. Unfortunately, these cleaning products can cause more harm than good. Using too much or too often can damage metal traps and pipes and result in leaks. They can also destroy rubber gaskets.
Additionally, if the drain cleaner doesn’t clear the drain, it can cause build-up in the pipes, which can corrode the material and become dangerous. A professional can snake the drain instead or use hydro-jetting to ensure your job is done right.
Not Having Spare Parts
If one part of a localized plumbing system is broken or leaking, there is a good chance that parts further down the line might also need replacing. Unfortunately, many at-home DIYers simply purchase the necessary parts for what they believe is broken and only discover the need for additional parts when they are already elbows-deep in the job.
Not Turning the Water off
Several people make the mistake of trying to replace a new valve while keeping the water supply on. Doing this can risk major flooding and cost you thousands of dollars for a mistake that only lasted a few seconds.
Don’t Attempt a DIY Fix: Contact Mr. Rooter Today
Hiring a professional company when repairing jobs of any size can save you time and money. Doing it yourself can end up costing you more when things go wrong. The team at Mr. Rooter is here to assist you with whatever issues have arisen in your home’s plumbing system. Contact us today—we look forward to your call.
