Trying to impress your roommates, or the family, with a DIY fix to get the bathtub properly draining again? The plumbing issue may look simple, but it is usually not a good idea. It is strongly recommended that you do not try to knock these repairs out, unless you’ve been trained in the field.
Every pro plumber under the sun has encountered homeowners who tried to repair their plumbing line (to save time and money) but ended up creating bigger problems. If you’re on a mission to repair it yourself, with some assistance from YouTube, always remember the risk. These pointers may end up saving you some time and money.
Home Water Damage
Unless you are planning on creating a swimming pool in one of your rooms, DIY plumbing repair is a terrible idea. Then, you will have to get your plumbing repaired professionally and also shell out some money to take care of the damages caused by the flooding.
Though it sounds like we’re banking on sensationalism to scare you, flooding is a probable consequence to what starts off as a simple valve replacement or toilet repair. These are some places in your house that may witness puddles if you screw it up:
● Under your toilet. When you set out with minimal knowledge and incorrectly attempt to repair your toilet, there are high risks of water leaking into your floorboards. This may also lead to the requirement of replacing certain portions of the floor.
● Around drain openings. Your plumbing job can sometimes end with a poor connection between a pipe and the drain. In case the connection is not established appropriately, the gap may produce an opening for the water to spill out and cause destruction below.
● Around dishwasher plumbing. In case your plumbing issues are related to your dishwasher hose or pipes, faulty methods of repair can lead to a disaster. That is because dishwashers consume a lot of water and any leakage that is created will be massive.
Hazards To Your Safety
Before you get consumed by the idea of DIY plumbing repair, take a moment to think about your safety. Most people don’t even own the required tools to perform plumbing repairs, in which case, it is extremely riskier for their safety. If you don’t own appropriate tools, trying this out is a big no-no. Do not attempt to make do with makeshift tools.
Damaged Plumbing Components
We are assuming that the last thing you want to do is worsen your plumbing problems by interfering with the system. Even the simplest of repairs can lead to substantial damage, if handled in an incorrect manner. We recommend you to spend some money and hire a professional instead of trying to repair it yourself.
Improper Plumbing Repairs
Some of the commonly made mistakes while engaging in DIY plumbing are:
● Overtightening connections. If the bolts are screwed very tightly, it could lead to the formation of cracks in the pipe.
● Using caustic cleaners. Usage of strong chemicals to clean your drain can lead to a corrosive reaction inside your pipes, causing leaks that could have been avoided.
● Forcing stuck valves. If the valve does not budge when you try to turn it, applying excessive force is not the solution as it could lead to the breaking of the knob and the stem of the valve.
● Installing improper fittings. ‘There are several components used in plumbing, like elbows, tees, and wyes, which may all look similar to a novice. The mix-up could also go against plumbing code.
You may seek reassurance from YouTubers who attempt to guide you through the process. However, without professional training you will not be able to determine if their instructions are, in fact, reliable and applicable in your case. Therefore, stay away from online DIY posts unless you want to have to call an emergency plumber on you Sunday afternoon.
