6 Things Your Plumber Wishes You Knew

You would think that plumbing problems are good for a plumber’s business. While there is no denying that a plumber stands to gain financially from plumbing maintenance, replacement and repair works, it’s not really good for business if you have to call them too often.

Not only will it make you start to question the quality of the plumber’s workmanship, but frequent calls will also make it harder for them to service other clients on their work schedule. So there are things that plumbers wish you knew that would reduce your need for their services. Here are six of them.

1. Excessive Tightening Is Bad

Tightening a plumbing connection is a natural action to stop a leak. However, over-tightening can have the opposite effect. You could damage the rubber seals and pipe/nut threads to the extent of connection failure. Instead, tighten connections until it feels firm but not overly tight. If no change to the leak occurs, contact plumbing repair in Port St Lucie to address the problem.

2. Know Where the Main Shut-Off Valve Is Located

When you move into a new house, make sure you ascertain where your main valve is located. The exact location of the valve will vary. If your home has a crawl space, the valve may be on the wall toward the building’s front end. In other houses, the valve will be in the garage, next to the water heater or under the kitchen sink. In certain instances, the valve will be in a space that requires tools to open and access. If that’s the case, make sure the tools are always easily accessible, in case you need to access the valve quickly.

3. Master the Use of Plumber’s Tape

Plumber’s tape is used for a wide range of basic plumbing actions, including creating water tight seals between pipes. To use plumber’s tape, first get rid of any dirt stuck on the thread. Then, work from the second thread on the end. Direct the plumber’s tape in the same direction as the threads. Ensure the thread is flat and not tangled so wrapping is easier. Maintain consistent tension on your tape for proper fitting and uniformity. Wrap the tape towards the pipe’s end so that it overlaps.

4. Understand Different Types of Plungers and Their Use

There are different types of plungers used for different types of unclogging tasks. A toilet plunger and sink plunger have distinct differences and you should not use one in place of the other. When you are unclogging a drain with a plunger, start by pouring in some dishwasher detergent and hot water and allow the mixture to sit for a while. Next, get a lubricant and apply it to the rim of the plunger so it holds effectively. Avoid using caustic cleaners to unblock drains. While they may provide a quick fix, they can introduce more expensive problems by corroding your pipes over time.

5. Do Not Pour Oils Down the Drain

Do not pour oils and grease down the sink. Even if they are in liquid form, they will eventually solidify and create clogs in your drainage system. Instead, pour grease and dirty oil into cups and dispose of it in the garbage bin. Even if the oil clogging problem doesn’t necessarily affect you directly, it could contribute to the growth of “fatbergs” further down your area’s drainage system. Fatbergs can be as large as a car and are expensive for a community to clean out.

6. Check What’s Behind a Wall Before Starting Work

This is a critical aspect of plumbing work. If need be, get a scanner to see what’s behind a wall before you drill into it. Accidentally drilling into a water pipe can create an expensive and potentially hazardous mess. In any case, precautions are necessary since the repercussions would be even more grave if you drilled into a gas line. If uncertain about an area you intend to work on, err on the side of caution by having a professional plumber look at it.

The More You Know

Given how much your plumbing fixtures around the home are used every day, you will always have a problem or two to deal with. The more you understand the basic dos and don’ts of your home’s plumbing, the less likely that you will find yourself in a situation requiring a plumber. Still, if in doubt, get in touch with your plumber for a professional opinion, if you are ever unsure.