No one wants to mess with the plumbing of their house. The internet brims with terrifying water damage stories. Experienced homeowners can make mistakes.
It is better to call Vancouver’s plumbing services for repairs than to deal with the plumbing issue independently. You may experience property damage, physical injury, or water damage to your home if you try to fix it. A plumber has the right tools and expertise to handle these plumbing issues before they worsen. But if you like to DIY a minor plumbing issue once in a while, here are some dos and don’ts.
The Do’s of DIY Plumbing
DIY plumbing saves money and gives you a sense of accomplishment. However, there are things you should keep in mind to ensure your plumbing project goes smoothly.
- Know where the water main is to your house. The water main is located near the street and is the source of your home’s water.
- Cut pipes using a hacksaw. A hacksaw fits into tight spaces.
- Don’t over-tighten nuts and bolts. Over-tightening can cause damage to the threads on a bolt, which means you’ll either have to replace it or try your best to repair it with a tool like a tap wrench
- Buy quality parts and materials. Quality tools, parts, and materials will last longer, often saving you money.
- Choose parts that match your skill level. If you’re starting as a do-it-yourselfer, buy basic faucets and fixtures that are easy to install. As your skills improve, move up to more complex fixtures that require more expertise to install correctly — such as toilets and water heaters.
- Please read the instructions carefully before starting any project so that you know what steps are involved in completing it correctly without damaging your home.
- Ask For help. If you can’t find the problem with your toilet or sink, call a professional plumber to help fix it. It’s better to spend a little bit of money now than risk having an expensive repair bill down the road when things get worse if left unattended.
- Learn to spot the signs of common plumbing issues, such as leaks and clogs, to know when to call a professional plumber. Also, check out our articles on common household plumbing problems and how to fix them.
The Don’ts of DIY Plumbing
If you live in a house with plumbing, you might be tempted to try your hand at DIY plumbing. But before you start, there are things you should know.
- Don’t try to fix it yourself if you do not know what you are doing.
- Don’t try to repair an electric water heater unless you have experience working with electricity. The water heater has electrical components that can pose serious safety hazards if mishandled.
- Don’t attempt plumbing repairs if standing water is in or around your home; this is unsafe and could cause electrocution.
- Don’t try to fix a leaky faucet if you don’t know what’s wrong with it. If you’re going to fix it yourself, find out what caused the leak first and ensure you have all the tools and parts necessary to fix it. You can get all that information from your local hardware store or plumber.
- Don’t use bleach or other harsh chemicals to clean your toilet bowl. These products can damage the flushing mechanism and cause leaks or cracks in your toilet tank or bowl. Use a toilet cleaner and follow instructions.
- Don’t use a plunger on any other part of the plumbing system than where it belongs — under the toilet seat!
- Don’t forget regulations. If you’re going to do any plumbing work yourself, you need to know the regulations governing your area. Some areas require permits for specific jobs, while others require that professionals do all work. If you don’t know the rules, ask someone who does before getting started on any project.
- Don’t take shortcuts. While the temptation to save money by cutting corners is strong, the results can be disastrous. For example, if you don’t install the correct type of pipe, a leak may cause damage to your home and property.
- Don’t use rusted pipes. Replace them instead of repairing them, as they may burst during use.
- Don’t put too much pressure on old pipes by turning on the water too quickly after replacing a faucet or toilet. The pipe may burst if you do so.
Knowing how plumbing systems work and the proper way to maintain them is essential so that you don’t accidentally cause a problem or hurt yourself. When issues do arise, it’s always best to hire a professional. It ensures that your problem gets fixed the first time, and you don’t have to get into trouble for using your wrench unwisely.