DIY Plumbing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

It’s easy to think you can do everything yourself when it comes to plumbing. We appreciate that in many situations this is the case, but not always. If you’re thinking of doing some plumbing DIY in the home, how can you avoid the kind of mistakes that could cost you more to repair than hiring a professional plumber?

Mistakes can be costly

Naturally, there are plenty of jobs around the home which could be done quickly and easily without having to call someone out, however one quick mistake and it can all lead to disaster, so it’s important to approach with caution. 

Blockages

These are typical problems most households suffer with at some point or another. Drain cleaner seems the obvious solution. However, there are some things you can try at home that may save you a few pounds on drain cleaner from your local hardware store. You can use a plumbing snake if you have one, and if you do have to purchase, once you have it, it’s yours for life - unlike a drain cleaner. Using a drain cleaner can often cause more problems than it solves by corroding the delicate metal within the drain itself. 

Do you have the correct tools for the job?

Before any plumbing job, you need the right tools. This is important because the wrong ones could lead to fundamental problems and mistakes will swiftly follow. Using what you have in the cupboard under the sink believing it will be more than sufficient, usually isn’t. You’re in real danger of damaging the pipes, drains and anything internal that requires care and consideration in order to perform adequately - so don’t do it.

You get far too over-excited and heavy handed with the plumbing.

There’s a lot of valve and knob turning with plumbing and it’s easy to get too heavy handed, breaking off handles and valves, and this can result in a full blown plumbing crisis. Always use a wrench and treat it with respect, when it reaches the point of no return, do not keep turning. Over-tightening can lead to permanent damage, so keep this in mind.

Getting drain fittings mixed up.

This can cause mayhem if you’re not careful because it could result in a costly mistake - read ‘disaster.’ There are certain code violations to avoid which a professional plumber will understand, so if the job requires replacement and repair of any tees, wyes or elbows, perhaps it might be prudent to let a professionally trained plumber deal with it.  Call a professional plumber whenever you’re unsure rather than diving right in.

Speak to the Plumbing Experts

These are just some of the mistakes we have to rectify sometimes. We see people having a go, and then realise they’ve made the problem worse. This can work out very expensive for them, when in actual fact if they’d called us in first, it would have been a lot cheaper. Reading up on plumbing or even watching some simple videos online with less complicated jobs can help you avoid costly mistakes. We advise that you always call us if you’re confused, concerned or downright perplexed by the problems you’re seeing in your home plumbing, we’re always here to help!