Common Mistakes in Plumbing Services to Avoid
A plumbing system in a home has two major functions: distribution of water supply and disposal of wastewater. Therefore, it is a complicated system of interconnected fixtures, fittings, and pipes. One must take regular care of the system through scheduling its routine maintenance and inspection by professional plumbing services.
Sadly, many homeowners neglect this crucial responsibility which will end up costing them much in the long run. In fact, some of them abuse the plumbing system to the point that they cannot be used any longer. Dripping faucets and leaky pipes in the sink or clogged toilets are common problems faced. These need the help of professional plumbers.
Following are some common plumbing mistakes faced by homeowners:
Failure to switch off faucets
A common mistake committed by occupants of homes is not to turn off the faucets securely. When water is not switched off properly, it can result in huge bills for maintenance and other problems. Some of the issues which can emerge from wrongly closed faucets are flooding, water damage, water waste, high water bills, etc.
For avoiding these, every home occupant should make a habit of correctly closing the faucet. When conducting water-related projects, ensure the shutting off of the main water line. Shutting away the shut-off valves and main water lines will prevent the chances of any floods while the work on plumbing lines is carried out.
Use of chemical drain cleaner
A big no in the world of plumbing is the use of chemical drain cleaner. It surely helps in clearing and unclogging the drain and sending wastewater into the sewer system. But it also impacts the galvanized plumbing system through corrosion.
When a chemical drain cleaner is used regularly for cleaning one’s drains, it will eventually cause corrosion to one’s pipelines and make them leaky. The safer alternative is the use of snakes or natural products like warm water and vinegar for unclogging the drains. To ensure the best results, one can schedule repair and cleaning of the drain by professional plumbers.
Connection of copper and galvanized pipes
Copper and galvanized wires do not suit each other and connecting them with each other will cause much corrosion. Getting plumbing components that are corroded can cause many issues. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that these two materials do not touch each other while replacing or repairing damaged parts. Make sure that the plumber one hires uses a dielectric union between copper and galvanized wires to prevent their mutual contact and ensuing corrosion.
Forcing a shut-off valve that is stuck
When one plumbs shut-off valves, they mostly become stuck when left in a single position. When one forces the stuck valves for opening and closing, this can break off the knob and even damage the stem of the valve.
To fix this problem, in place of forcing the turning of the valve, spray some oil and allow it to lubricate for some time before attempting to turn it again. In case greasing does not work, it is time to call a professional plumber to fix the issue.
Resorting to DIY without the expertise
In case one attempts fixing plumbing issues without having the specific skills, training, and equipment for the same, one may find oneself dealing with complexities and challenges, which only worsen the issues. An unskilled and inexperienced person must never try to fix plumbing issues on his/ her own as it can lead to significant damage to one’s plumbing systems.
In sum, it is best to leave plumbing services to the experts who have the needed knowledge and experience to complete the work successfully.
FAQs
What are common plumbing mistakes?
Keeping water switched on during emergencies, over-use of drain cleaners, DIY fixing of issues, ignoring issues of plumbing, using plumber without a license.
What are common plumbing issues?
Low pressure of water, leaky pipes, dripping faucets, clogged drains, running toilets, clogged bath, slow draining tubs.
What are common plumbing tasks around the home?
Identifying the source of water, testing the quality of water, turning off water mains, finding each cut-off valve, scrutinizing water bill and water meter, testing water pressure, adjusting water pressure, checking for hidden leaks.
