Plumbing mistakes can be costly, from water damage to expensive repairs. Learn about five common home plumbing errors and how to avoid them.
When working on a plumbing project, always make sure the main water valve to your home is shut off before starting work. This can prevent serious flooding and other issues.
1. Failing to Turn Off the Water
The plumbing systems in our homes are crucial to our daily lives, but they can also be a source of frustration and expensive repair bills. Many of the problems we run into can be avoided with a little preparation and some knowledge of the basics.
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is failing to turn off the water before beginning a plumbing project. Whether it’s a small DIY repair or an emergency such as a burst pipe, turning off the water supply before starting can save you from flooding your home and costly damage to your fixtures and appliances.
Most households have a main shut-off valve where the municipal water line comes in, as well as isolation valves for specific fixtures like toilets and sinks. Knowing where these valves are located and how to shut them off is important for emergencies or when making upgrades or repairs.
Leaking pipes are the most common cause of home plumbing issues and can lead to spikes in your water bill, extensive water damage, clogs, and mold or mildew. Identifying leaks can be difficult, but water stains on walls or floors and unexplained increases in your water bill are surefire indicators.
A few years ago, a YouTube video went viral about a handyman who was trying to fix a leak underneath a sink but failed to shut off the water beforehand. As a result, 90 PSI of hot water shot out from under the sink and flooded the entire apartment. The right tools can help you tackle a wide variety of tasks around the house, but when it comes to plumbing projects, the wrong tool could do more harm than good. Using the right tools will prevent you from damaging your pipes, fittings, and fixtures, and it will also help you get the job done more quickly and efficiently.
2. Using the Wrong Tape
The pipes in your home may seem to work on autopilot, but it takes a lot of hard work and attention to keep them that way. When a problem arises, you need to know how to address it quickly and properly to prevent costly repairs or worsening issues.
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make when working on their plumbing is using the wrong tape. This can lead to poor seals, clogs, and other problems. To avoid making this mistake, use plumber’s tape when connecting new pipe or repairing existing ones. It is available at most hardware stores and is easy to apply.
Another common DIY error is forgetting to turn off the water when tackling plumbing projects. This can cause the pipe to burst and can also be dangerous for you and your family members. If you are unsure how to shut off the water, call a professional from Avis Plumbing.
When you are working on a plumbing project, be sure to take a before picture of any components that you remove for inspection or repair. This will help you reassemble the pieces in the same way when you are finished. Also, it can help you to remember if you are missing any parts when reinstalling them.
Leaky pipes are one of the most serious plumbing problems homeowners encounter. If left untreated, they can lead to spikes in your water bill, expensive damage to wood and masonry, mold and mildew, and more. To prevent leaks, you should regularly inspect your plumbing connections and tighten any that are loose.
When applying plumber’s tape to a pipe, be sure to start at the beginning of the threads and wrap it clockwise. You should also leave about 1/4 inch of exposed pipe to prevent the tape from covering the opening.
3. Flushing Down Materials Other Than Toilet Paper
Plumbing involves a lot of systems in your home and it can be frustrating when something goes wrong with one or more of them. While a lot of these issues may just be the result of normal wear and tear, other problems can be a sign of poor plumbing practices or maintenance. This is particularly true for clogged toilets and drains which can cause flooding and water damage in your home. Fortunately, most of these plumbing mistakes can be avoided with preventative maintenance and good habits.
For instance, it is not a good idea to flush materials other than natural human waste down your toilets. Putting things like wipes, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, and toys down the toilet can cause a clog that your plunger may not be able to fix. This is because these materials do not break apart or dissolve in water the way toilet paper does. In addition, many of these items can tangle with each other or other flushed materials to create a solid blockage in your drain lines or sewer system. This can lead to sewage backups in your home, or even in your entire neighborhood.
It is also not a good idea to pour grease, cooking oil, or fat down your sink drains. These substances can clog your pipes and contribute to a buildup of unhealthy fats in the walls of your kitchen or bathroom drains. In addition, they can lead to a greasy residue on your sink and floors that is difficult to remove. Instead, pour these types of items into a trash can to be disposed of properly. It’s also important to use a strainer or stopper in your sink drain to keep food and other debris out of the sink drain.
4. Under-Tightening Fittings
When it comes to plumbing problems, every homeowner faces a few issues from time to time. While some issues are minor and require only a quick fix, others can be serious and may result in expensive repairs. This is why it is important to recognize which jobs can be handled by a DIYer and which need the services of a professional. This can help homeowners avoid costly mistakes that can turn a small problem into a major repair project. If you’re dealing with persistent leaks or clogged drains, reaching out to a plumber Des Moines can ensure your plumbing system is properly inspected and repaired before small issues turn into costly problems.
One of the most common mistakes that DIYers make is over-tightening or under-tightening pipe fittings. This can lead to stripped threads, which in turn can cause leaks. It is important to use a torque wrench that can indicate when the desired torque has been reached. This will prevent homeowners from tightening the fittings too much, which can cause them to warp over time.
Another mistake that many DIYers make is using the wrong materials for a plumbing job. It is important to choose materials that are compatible with each other, especially when it comes to mixing metals like copper and galvanized steel. Mixing these metals can lead to corrosion due to electrolysis. In addition, it is also important to use the right size of pipes for each task. Using the wrong size of pipe can cause water pressure to be too high, which can also lead to premature wear and leaks.
Another common mistake that many DIYers make is not lubricating the threads of pipe fittings before installing them. It is important to use plumber’s tape or a similar lubricant to ensure a secure seal between the fitting and the pipe. It is also important to wrap the tape around the threads of the fitting in the same direction that you will be tightening them.
5. Ignoring Small Leaks
When it comes to plumbing problems, the old adage that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” rings true. This is especially true for small leaks, which may seem harmless at first but can snowball into major problems if left unchecked.
Small leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water over time, which can lead to expensive water bills. Regularly checking for and fixing leaks can prevent this.
In addition, water leaks can damage your home’s structure. They can cause wood to rot or delaminate, and they can also compromise the integrity of your walls and foundation. These problems can be costly to repair and can also affect the resale value of your home.
Luckily, most leaks can be detected by visual signs such as water stains on ceilings or walls, damp spots under sinks, and musty odors. If you detect any of these, it’s important to call a professional right away to get the problem fixed before it gets worse.
While tackling plumbing projects on your own can save you money, it’s important to understand the potential risks of doing so. Many DIYers make mistakes that can lead to building code violations, faulty fixes, and costly repairs. These common plumbing mistakes include using the wrong tools, applying too much tape, and ignoring small leaks.
Taking the time to learn about these common plumbing mistakes can help you avoid making them yourself. By following these tips, you can ensure that your plumbing project is completed correctly and safely. Contact us today to schedule a plumbing inspection at your home! We’ll help you keep your family safe and your home in good condition.
