It’s quite commendable if you can do plumbing works at home. It saves you valuable time and cash. However, not every plumbing work is DIY. Some are best left to plumbing professionals who have the know-how to fix complicated and risky plumbing problems. If you are considering DIY plumbing, you must take the necessary measures to avoid disasters. Simply, you need to complete the plumbing work that you have started successfully and safely.
To ensure that this is the case, here are 7 amazing tips to apply:
Understand Your Plumbing System
DIY plumbing disasters usually occur because of ignorance. A homeowner might not have any idea how a simple plumbing system works. Some homeowners attempt to troubleshoot a plumbing problem, such as a running toilet or clogged sink, without researching. Hence, a minor issue can turn into a big mess, like water leakage or damaging the toilet bowl.
Most plumbing systems are not as simple as they look. You may find it hard to locate some components if you don’t familiarize yourself with the plumbing system beforehand. For starters, you need to know the following basics:
- The source of your water
- The position of the septic tank
- The position of the sewer line
- The difference between a sewer pipe and a water pipe
Document the Disassembling
To avoid getting confused when assembling back the plumbing fixtures, you should document the disassembling process. Preferably, make a quick sketch of the fixtures in their natural position. The sketch will guide you to reconnect them once you are done with the repair. Alternatively, take video shots or photographs of each step of the disassembling. In addition to fitting things correctly, this tip also saves you time.
Use the Right Tools
Every plumbing tool is suited to a specific job. Therefore, you need to know what tool is meant for what plumbing task. For example, if the drain is blocked, what you need is a drain snake. If you want to tighten something, then you should make use of the pliers. The whole idea is to avoid complicating the plumbing issue further by using an incorrect tool. Besides, the rights tools make DIY plumbing easier and enjoyable. You won’t feel like you are putting too much effort when using the right plumbing tool.
Observe Sink Care
The sink is not a dustbin that you can deposit anything and everything that’s considered waste. Kitchen waste and hair are some of the things you shouldn’t wash down your sink as they are capable of clogging the drain. To prevent such materials from passing down your sink, it’s advisable to put a drain strainer in the sink. It’ll help hold the materials. Another enemy of the sink you should be aware of is oil. It’s not healthy for your drain to pour oil into your sink as it’s capable of clogging inside the drain pipes. This may block or slow down the drainage. You also need to avoid pouring harsh chemicals as they may damage your drain system.
Routine Drain Cleaning
An issue like drain clogging can be avoided by cleaning your drain more regularly. You should do it every month using a simple tool like a drain snake or cheap home remedies like white vinegar and baking soda. In the latter case, you are required to:
- Prepare 1 cup baking soda and 2 cups white vinegar
- Put baking soda first into the drain
- Follow it up with white vinegar
- Allow the mixture to act for several hours
- Pour hot water to your drain to rinse it
This approach is cheaper and safer for you and the environment. The reagents are not toxic as it’s often the case with most commercial drain cleaning agents.
Familiarize Yourself with the Shut-Offs
Are you familiar with your plumbing system’s layout? Do you know where the main valve or shut-off system is located? Every homeowner should know where to find the main plumbing switch or valve. By doing so, you avoid a major disaster and save money by calling a professional to locate and resolve the simple plumbing and gas problem for you.
If there is unexpected water overflow during your plumbing works, you should know where the main valve is to shut it off. You should also know where individual valves for the kitchen, washroom, and laundry area are in case you only want to shut water supply in a specific area. It’s generally smart to know how to distinguish every valve that’s connected to your plumbing system.
Create Time for Routine Inspections
Lastly, you should set some time to inspect your plumbing network. This should happen routinely regardless of whether there’s an issue with your plumbing system or not. During the inspection, you should at least do the following:
- Keep an eye on how the sinks and bathtub are draining
- Pay attention to how the toilet is draining after flushing
- Inspect the piping to identify leaks, wearing, and rusting
It’s a practical idea to consult a professional, such as Dynamic Plumbing & Gas and other reputable plumbing and gas companies, to perform routine inspections. Professionals have the correct tools, equipment, and skills to perform the job right, detecting and addressing adjacent plumbing issues before they arise.
Why is routine inspection vital to any property? It’s essential to prioritize routine checks to ensure everyone’s safety and health because plumbing issues can compromise these aspects. In addition, regular plumbing and gas inspections promote proper enforcement of federal, state, and local codes to avoid dealing with legal matters.
Final Thoughts
Generally, the secret to performing DIY plumbing works is to know how to avoid disasters. You have to stay safe and fix the problem expertly. If you can’t, then you should call experts like Little Elm Plumber right away. Generally, experts know what to do to avoid disasters.
Thank you for sharing this great information. This is very useful.
Awesome, thank you for sharing these plumbing tips. Keep up the great work!