The Most Common DIY Plumbing Mistakes
Many homeowners take pleasure in completing basic home improvement tasks. It is always best to consult a professional plumber so that the work is done right the first time. Avoiding these common DIY plumbing mistakes will help you maintain your home more effectively and efficiently.
Failure to Turn Off the Water
Turning off the water is the first step in 90% of most plumbing projects, but it’s also an easy step to forget. Attempting to remove a fixture or fix a pipe before turning off the water can result in a nasty spray of water and a big mess to clean up. The shut off valve for most fixtures can be found on the wall beneath the fixture. Sometimes turning the shut off valve can be a tough job, if it hasn’t been used in a long time. Use a plumber’s wrench to help you. If you can’t find the interior shut off valve, shut off the water from the outside.
Tackling Jobs without the Proper Skills or Tools
Many homeowners with some basic plumbing knowledge find it tempting to take on more projects than they really know how to handle. There are a number of tutorials online to guide homeowners through the process of performing basic plumbing tasks. Watch or read the tutorials to guide you through your specific task, then buy all the tools necessary for your job. Here are just a few of the basic tools every DIY plumber should own:
- Hand auger
- Basin wrench
- Plumber’s wrench
Overuse of Drain Cleaner
Clogged drains are an inconvenient but unavoidable part of homeownership, and drain cleaner presents an easy fix. Although this is acceptable for occasional clogs, regular use of drain cleaner can damage pipes.
For persistent clogs, try one of these drain-safe solutions:
- Hand auger: This handy and inexpensive tool consists of a long, stiff cable with a twisted end that bores into clogs and extracts unwanted material from your pipes.
- Natural drain cleaner: Household materials like vinegar, salt, baking soda and water can be used to make natural drain cleaners. Many recipes for natural drain cleaner can be found online.
- Rental drain snake: Drain snakes are available for rent at many home improvement centers.
Joining Mismatched Pipes
Unfortunately, galvanized steel and copper pipes can’t be joined without a special fitting called a “dielectric union”. If you’ve connected a steel and galvanized pipe without the use of this special fitting, you’ll need to monitor the pipe connections over time to watch for leaks. When the pipes begin to leak (and eventually they will), the copper and galvanized steel pipe will need to be disconnected and new fittings put in place.
What to do When You Run Into Trouble
When all else fails, call Doug Herrell Plumbing. We enjoy helping homeowners work through their plumbing projects, and have the skills to fix little things that may have gone wrong throughout the course of a DIY project.
Contact Doug Herrell Plumbing Today!
About Doug Herrell Plumbing
Doug Herrell Plumbing has been Brevard County’s source for plumbing services since 1980. We are a family owned and operated business and take tremendous pride in providing honest and reliable plumbing services at an affordable price.
CALL 321-254-0004
LIC # CFC 048487
Serving Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera, Suntree, Titusville, Merritt Island, Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Cape Canaveral, Satellite Beach, Rockledge, West Melbourne, Cocoa, and Cocoa Beach.
