Plumbing issues are never fun, whether it’s a blocked toilet or a sluggish drain, dripping faucets, or leaky pipes — these are just a few examples of minor plumbing mistakes that a homeowner can generally manage on their own, without the need for a professional plumber, especially with easy access to how-to knowledge online.
Unfortunately, attempting these basic remedies may occasionally result in costly blunders – mistakes that really exacerbate the situation. If you simply can’t wait for or afford a local plumber, there are some things you can do yourself, however, you have to be careful. Here are some of the most frequent home plumbing mistakes:
Overtightening Connections
When dealing with pipes and fittings, tighter is not always better. If you overtighten a galvanized pipe, valve, or coupler, the fitting may crack. If you overtighten a toilet closet bolt on the floor, you might break the porcelain and ruin the toilet. It simply takes a small amount of pressure to tighten supply tubes. Tightening the nuts excessively, on the other hand, may cause them to shatter and produce some leakage. The worst part is that the crack you’ve produced may not even be detected straight away. It might be weeks before the fitting totally fails, and that might lead to a severe flooding problem. It might be difficult to tell whether a connection is too tight, but if it seems solid with no movement, it is typically advisable not to try to tighten it anymore.
Excessive Use of Drainage Cleaners
While drain cleaners are excellent for removing blockages and built-up debris, using too many of these solutions can frequently cause more harm than good. The issue is that professional drain cleaners typically contain strong chemicals to help break up a blockage, and if used excessively, they can begin to eat away at the sidewalls of the water pipes. These cleaners are capable of destroying not just metal pipes but also PVC pipes. The best answer is to attempt to prevent the issue in the first place by being mindful of what you flush down the toilet.
Keeping the Water On During an Emergency
Turn off the water if a pipe breaks, a toilet overflows, or another plumbing catastrophe occurs. A shut-off valve will be located near your principal water sources, such as the sink or toilet. Shut the valve until the water stops flowing as soon as you discover the problem. Many individuals do not try to block the water initially. Instead, they attempt to mop up the damage as more water rushes out. Before you begin cleaning, shut off the water, take a big breath, and contact your plumber.
Applying Excessive Force on Stuck Valves
Toilet and sink valves frequently fail to turn, especially after not being used for a long period. More force will not solve the problem if you are unable to turn the valve open with your hand. You risk breaking the knob and damaging the valve stem. This is commonly caused by the packing seal fusing itself to the stem, causing it to fail to turn. The best method is to try to release the nut that keeps the stem in place with a wrench. This will loosen the tight bind and allow the knob to turn freely. After that, tighten the nut to verify there is no leaking.
Flushing Any Material Down Your Toilet
Despite understanding it’s not a good idea, most individuals flush inappropriate stuff down their toilets. Although the toilet plumbing appears to be large enough, it goes into a smaller pipe that is just 3 inches long by most standards. This is the plumbing into which the entire house drains. As a result, flushing bigger items than the pipe’s capacity may block the entire drain. Every homeowner should keep in mind that pipes are only intended to help with plumbing and should not be used for any other purpose. It is also beneficial to understand what causes clogs and what destroys the pipes. Although you will still want the assistance of a plumber in the case of damage or restoration, doing the proper thing by preventing plumbing blunders will assist.
When everything else fails and a problem arises, contact a reputable plumbing firm. If you’re in North Carolina or nearby towns, contact Plumber Winston-Salem NC for all your plumbing issues.
