Common DIY Plumbing Mistakes

The Do It Yourself (DIY) method has become very popular in the digital age. A popular DIY project is home repair, particularly plumbing.

You can save a lot of money and time by learning to perform simple plumbing repairs at home. Sometimes, however, trying to fix everything yourself can lead to mistakes that worsen the situation.

The following are some plumbing mistakes homeowners make when tackling DIY projects.

Most homeowners who do DIY renovations do not know that some DIY plumbing projects require permits. A building permit will save you from fines and ensure that insurance covers your home for future damages.

Building permits and regulations are also in place to ensure safety. Making unpermitted changes to your home could lead to dangerous errors that may go undetected for days, months, or years.

Modern plumbing utilizes a variety of materials, including plastic, copper, and galvanized steel. You can combine certain different pipe materials to construct your plumbing system. Nevertheless, some pipe materials are incompatible, even if the dimensions match.

Copper and galvanized steel are examples of incompatible materials. When in direct contact with copper for an extended period, the zinc in galvanized steel will begin a chemical reaction. As the reaction continues, corrosion can occur at the connection points.

People are familiar with the importance of tightening plumbing connections. But you should refrain from overtightening the connections because most are already watertight. 

Often, overtightening damages the fittings. The excessive force put on the fixtures may lead to cracks in the fittings and washers, weakening the seal as a result. Damage may not occur immediately, but cracks in the connections can cause costly leaks weeks or months later.

But, even if no damage occurs, overtightening could mean difficulties in the future should the fitting need replacing. In some cases, loosening an over-tightened connection can result in snapping the pipe or wearing the fittings down.

In spite of their effectiveness in clearing clogs, chemical drain cleaners can often cause more harm than good. These cleaners contain chemicals that can corrode pipe materials and lead to leaks in the long run.

Excessive use of chemical cleaners may also cause hazardous breathing conditions if the fumes make their way up the drain.

Any plumbing project should begin with turning off the water supply, but this is an easy step to overlook.

Attempting the simplest plumbing job without turning off your water supply could lead to problems. If you do not connect the right components quickly enough, the water in your pipes may end up causing extensive water damage in a matter of minutes. 

You should also keep in mind that shutting off your water source won’t remove all the water in your pipes. To clear the water and drain the pipes, run the faucets for a few seconds before you begin your repairs.

No matter how advanced technology has become, gravity still plays a role in plumbing, such as directing water correctly to the drain. The floor needs to slope properly for shower stalls so that water doesn’t pool and soak into the floor. A standard shower floor slopes at a four percent angle, dropping about half an inch every 12 inches from the wall to the drain.

Neglecting the shower slope during installation can result in expensive problems down the road.  A stagnant pool of water can breed mold, mildew, and bacteria.

Plumbing projects may seem simple, but they can often spiral into more complicated tasks. If you want to be sure the job gets done correctly, hire an experienced plumber like the ones at Quality Plumbing. If you have any plumbing issues or run into trouble during a DIY project, don’t hesitate to contact our expert plumbers for assistance.