Professional plumbers have a wealth of skills, knowledge, and experience that set them apart from DIY enthusiasts or untrained individuals. They also follow strict safety protocols and building codes to ensure that their work meets the highest standards.
Homeowners who attempt DIY plumbing repairs often make mistakes that can lead to costly and inconvenient results. Here are five of the most common:
1. Failing to Turn Off the Water
Professional plumbers know how to identify plumbing dysfunctions and offer permanent solutions. Inexperienced individuals, on the other hand, run the risk of exacerbating problems or overlooking underlying issues. This can lead to more extensive damage, costly repairs, and voiding of home insurance policies.
It is important to shut off the water when doing any plumbing work. Forgetting to do this can result in flooding and water damage in adjacent rooms and floor space. It is also possible that toxic gasses like methane and hydrogen sulfide could leak into living areas and enter the lungs.
Another common DIY plumbing mistake is over-tightening connections. It is important to tighten connections enough to create a watertight seal but not so much that they damage the fittings. Over-tightening can lead to cracked pipes, leaks, and other plumbing complications.
2. Failing to Install Cleanouts
When it comes to clogged drains, many DIYers rely on chemical cleaning products that dislodge grime but may damage inner pipe walls. Professional plumbers know how to use less damaging emergency solutions like vinegar and baking soda solutions.
Homeowners should also ensure their sewer cleanouts are properly installed and accessible. This prevents clogs, maintains plumbing system functionality, and allows for regular inspection.
In addition, professional plumbers can spot slow and hidden leaks that oftentimes occur behind baseboards, in crawlspaces, or inside drywall. This saves property owners from costly and extensive repair bills in the future. This is why homeowners should always entrust their home’s plumbing to professional plumbers. The short answer to why hire a plumber? Their expertise and knowledge will ensure that the job is done correctly. They will also adhere to safety protocols and building codes.
3. Failing to Pre-Slope Drain Pipes
Plumbing is complex and requires expert-level knowledge to do correctly. Attempting to make DIY repairs without the proper skills and experience will result in bigger problems down the road.
Failing to properly slope drain pipes leads to clogs and other serious issues. A proper slope is necessary for drainage because all drains work via gravity. An improper slope can lead to water build-up and mildew, while a too steep one can cause waste to back up into your home.
Another common mistake that homeowners often make is using corrosive chemical drain cleaners to solve a clog. These harsh chemicals can damage your pipes and plumbing fixtures over time. It is best to always use non-toxic home remedies first to clear a clog. This will also help protect your health and the environment.
4. Failing to Apply Plumber’s Tape
While it might seem trivial, avoiding plumbing mistakes can save homeowners costly repairs. Professional plumbers have extensive training and experience in handling plumbing dysfunctions, and they offer permanent solutions instead of merely addressing the symptoms.
Another common DIY mistake is forgetting to apply plumber’s tape. This thin tape (sometimes called Teflon tape) helps form a tight seal around pipe threads to prevent leaks. To properly use this tape, you must first clean the male pipe threads and then start wrapping it clockwise around the pipe. Make sure to apply enough tape to a length that is twice as long as the pipe itself.
A professional plumber can help avoid these and other costly DIY mistakes by conducting a comprehensive inspection of your plumbing system. They also have a wide range of tools and pipes, so they can quickly and efficiently fix any problem.
5. Failing to Tighten Fittings
Many DIYers make the mistake of over-tightening plumbing fittings. Cranking too hard on elbows, tees, couplings, or joints can crack the pipe. This may not cause problems immediately, but it can lead to a leaking, water-logged mess in the future.
Over-tightening can also strip the threads of a pipe or crack plastic fittings. It’s important to tighten connections just enough to create a seal.
Professional plumbers have the tools, knowledge, and experience to avoid these common mistakes when repairing or replacing pipes. Leaving the water on, forgetting to apply plumber’s tape, over-tightening connections, and not hanging pipes properly are just a few of the many careless plumbing mistakes homeowners should avoid. Thankfully, there are a variety of locations to shut off the water supply before starting any repairs. Checking out sites like https://www.fixitrightplumbing.com.au/plumber-melbourne/ can provide you with a lot of resourceful information on plumbers and services.
