Drip! Drip! Drip! That mild sound of a water pipe leaking slowly in the background can be mildly annoying. Indeed, the work needed to be done isn’t physically challenging. You know that a few special tools and a swipe of grease can fix most plumbing problems in a house. But which tools are right or which glue is water-resistant? That is what separates a rookie from someone who knows what they are doing.
In the times of DIY or Do-it-yourself videos, all you need to do is follow the online tutorials and sort most of these on your own. It is hard labour that needs special tools and focused attention. Most people have trouble understanding the different fittings and pipes needed for the precision of a plumbing problem.
Maybe all the different little parts of plumbing in a hardware store have got you to drop the idea of fixing your drippy sink altogether. You are ready to reach out to a professional. Sometimes that can be a quick solution. However, we have combined with a few plumbing mistakes you could avoid so you don’t have to continuously deal with repairing them.
Excessive Pressure In Sealing
Tightening the plumbing fixtures overly such as bolts or pipe joints or porcelain fittings in your toilet may crack the fitting. Sometimes it goes unnoticed in the beginning but over some time, the crack may give way completely and even cause flooding. It is a common error to make.
Clogging the Drain
A common mistake is to not use a strainer in a kitchen drain. Things like oil and grease should not be put down the kitchen drain as they do not make their way through. Using boiling water to push stuck garbage down the drain is common but doesn’t always work. Hair clogging on your bathroom floor is another thing to remember. It is important to unclog it from time to time.
Trying to Fix A Plumbing Job With Whatever Tools You Have
Using a normal glue to fix a leaking pipe or replacing a washer to repair a faucet is a common mistake most people make when they do not have the right tools or knowledge. A Plumber has the know-how of what part or parts of the problem need to be fixed. When the problem is not always completely visible Plumbers in Phoenix use cameras to inspect the root cause and then work on repairing it. To make sure you are fixing your plumbing issue well it is important to have a basic set of tools and equipment handy with you.
Not Turning Off The Tap
We have seen this one in cartoons too. When you leave the tap on and try to fix a valve. All of a sudden water gushes out everywhere. In cartoons, however, they use a finger to stop the supply of water but that may not be appropriate in real-time. If not fixed in time, it could lead to flooding the house. Experts always make sure they have switched off the main valve before they start fixing it.
Don’t Turn Off The Valve With Superhuman Strength
Though turning off the water supply is a good idea before you start any plumbing work it is not a good idea to use your full strength to tighten it. As some valves are rarely turned on and off, you might end up getting them stuck and adding one more problem to your plumbing issue. If that has happened, use a wrench to loosen the grip to allow you to turn on the tap.
The Liquid Drainer For All Problems.
Sometimes a clogged kitchen or bathroom sink can be fixed with cleaning too or by removing the P-trap to unclog. However, the first choice people make is to pour way too much liquid-draining cleaning. The fact is that it can make the problem worse. It can damage the metal pipes causing them to leak and if it doesn’t work, you will probably have to remove the fixing layer. And Oh! The corrosive cleaner stuck there will not be a pleasant mess to clean.
Using The Wrong Tape Or Wrongly Using The Right Tape
Did we get that in a tongue twister, didn’t we? Best you repeat it often to make it your mantra when using the right tape to seal a pipe or valve. Commonly called the Teflon tape, it must be wrapped clockwise so that it can tighten the fitting. Using it the other way around since it won’t be able to seal the fitting. Make sure you choose the thin white ones for water-related fittings and gas-rated ones for gas-related works.
Don’t Be Shy To Ask For Help
Sometimes a minor problem in plumbing can get bigger or vice versa if you don’t know the right method of fixing it, like a leak in the ceiling or a clogged toilet. It could cost you more money to fix that and waste more time. Professional plumbers have the right plumbing tools and know more about how home plumbing works and sometimes can even come up with a more economical option for repair. They ensure that with their experience they provide quality work and keep your safety in mind
Better than paying a contractor to repair all the damage you have caused in the house while trying to fix a plumbing problem that was not your forte, it’s best to ask for professional help. It’s sometimes even hard to tell what the problem is just by seeing it and might require more expert consultation from a plumber.
New projects which could require plumbing services too should be consulted with a professional plumber. They save a lot of time and are the most cost-effective in the future. They can also recommend items that can last for a long time. You can consult them to understand how something is done if you are keen on doing it yourself. However, a little wise advice will help you complete the challenge that you will be proud of.