That annoying drip from the tap keeps you up at night. The sound of the running toilet throughout the home. A dripping faucet floods the counter in your kitchen. You might be tempted to pick up the phone to call a plumber to fix any of these typical plumbing problems, but refrain. Could you take care of these issues on your own?
Learn the Common Plumbing Mistakes you should avoid
An excellent strategy to save money and enhance your quality of life is to take on a few DIY projects around the house. You can fix running toilets, dripping faucets, and other plumbing problems in your house by following online tutorials and written instructions. Most of these problems are manageable for you to resolve on your own. While it isn’t hard work, you will need some specialized tools and some effort.
With the correct tools and a little work, DIYers can complete any plumbing repairs. You should understand the differences between the many types of pipes, fittings, adhesives, and solders before doing any DIY plumbing. The most common mistake made by DIYers is a lack of information in this area. DIYers frequently commit these other typical errors in addition to not using the proper plumbing components
MAKING CONNECTIONS TOO TIGHT
The most common plumbing error is overtightening toilet bolts, toilet supply tubes, pipelines, and fittings. A galvanized or black pipe, coupler, tee, or elbow may shatter if you turn it too hard. In many cases, the crack may not appear immediately, but using too much effort can cause the fitting to break weeks later.
Our most frequent issue is overtightening plastic fittings on supply lines for toilets and faucets. To seal a supply tube, hardly much torque is required. Hex nuts that are overtightened eventually crack and leak. The toilet can be completely destroyed if the toilet closet bolts are overtightened on the floor or in the space between the bowl and tank.
Overtightening connections can result in a flood, which can cost tens of thousands of euros. Do not overtighten your plumbing connections because water damage restoration can be quite expensive.
FORGETTING HOW THINGS REASSEMBLE
Unfortunately, the toilet mechanism doesn't come with an instruction manual, especially if a plumber installed it. Therefore, if there is no guide, disassembling it and putting it back together can be challenging. Additionally, there is a potential that you might not have a reference point when it comes time to reassemble everything.
It's also crucial to put things back to how it was originally. If you don't, it will result in a leak, a flood, or a clogged drain, which will necessitate the services of a professional. By employing a business with the knowledge and skills necessary to disassemble your systems and fix your plumbing issues, you can more easily save time and energy.
Due to the fact that plumbing systems are modeled and made specific, not even the internet will be of any assistance. Trying to follow the incorrect guide will just cause more harm.
USING CHEMICAL DRAIN CLEANERS AS THE FIRST OPTION FOR DRAIN CLEANING
The majority of individuals grab for the chemical drain cleaner right immediately when they realize that the drains are clogged or aren't draining as they should. Yes, this can occasionally be successful. But most of the time it's similar to applying plaster to a huge gash.
Liquid drain cleaners are definitely not the best option and frequently cause more issues than they fix. Chemical drain cleaners' caustic liquid might harm your pipes, creating a leak in addition to the original obstruction. Any rubber gaskets that might be a part of your drain line's construction might also be harmed by drain cleaners!
The blockage can be eliminated considerably more effectively by removing the P-trap or utilizing a snake drain cleaning tool. If one of these doesn't work, pick up your phone and call a plumber instead of reaching for the drain cleaner.
USING THREAD TAPE BACKWARDS
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thread seal tape, often known as Teflon tape, is used to seal pipe threads. This tape must be applied around the threads in a clockwise direction in order for it to function correctly. Many weekend warrior plumbers or do-it-yourselfers wound the tape in the opposite direction (counterclockwise), and when they tighten the fitting, the tape actually unravels from the threads. The whole point of using PTFE thread seal tape is defeated because it won't seal if it isn't ingrained in the threads. As you screw the pipe into the fitting, wrap it three times around the threads, with the final wrap facing to the left. Stop everything and rewrap it if the final wrap is pointed to the right.
NOT SHUTTING THE WATER SUPPLY OFF
You are practically calling out for problems if you attempt to complete even the simplest plumbing tasks without first turning off your water supply. Most novice mistakes are frequently the easiest to correct.
You are asking for problems if you attempt to change a valve under your kitchen sink without first cutting the water supply off at the stopcock. If the proper parts are not fastened, the full water pressure in your pipes will cause your kitchen floor to flood before you can even call for assistance. This frequent DIY plumbing error can cost you hundreds of euros in damage and severely harm your self-esteem as you have to explain to the plumber—whom you will unavoidably have to call—how the water got into your kitchen in the first place.
Get in touch if you have a blocked drain or suspect that water flow may be slowing down. We can come out and investigate the issue, clear any blockages, and restore proper drainage to your system. Stillorgan Drain Cleaning covers all of Dublin & Bray