Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or you’ve been living in your current home for a long time, it’s always important to keep your plumbing systems in good condition.
The problem is that plumbing isn’t easy, and even the most experienced of homeowners can make plumbing mistakes.
It can be very satisfying to be able to do things by yourself, even if it’s only a small fix. But sometimes, by trying to take plumbing into your own hands, you might make the problem worse, especially if you don’t have much experience in plumbing.
So let’s take a look at some common plumbing mistakes that almost every homeowner makes and why you should consider calling a San Diego plumber to help you.
Common Plumbing Mistakes
Here are some of the most common plumbing mistakes that you could make:
1. Overestimating Your DIY Skills
Let’s be honest—who doesn’t love a good DIY project? You can save a lot of money, give yourself a sense of accomplishment, and it might even be fun! But when it comes to plumbing, being too overconfident with your DIY skills can turn into a disaster.
Without the right skills and experience, you could make mistakes like using the wrong parts for repairs, over-tightening screws, or misidentifying a problem, which can lead to bigger issues like leaks, moisture damage, and more expensive repairs.
If you don’t have the skill and experience to carry out plumbing repairs, you should always call a San Diego plumber to help you out.
2. Treating Your Toilet Like a Trash Can
One huge mistake many people make is that they think anything can be flushed down the toilet—this is wrong! Flushing anything other than human waste down the toilet is a bad idea, this also includes items that are labeled as flushable.
When you flush certain things down the toilet, there’s always a chance that these things can block your pipes, which can lead to overflowing and other problems.
So try not to flush anything that you shouldn’t down the toilet.
3. Ignoring Leaks
A small leak might not always seem like a big deal, but left unfixed, could turn into a major plumbing problem that can be expensive to fix.
In addition, the water from the leaks can cause mold and mildew to grow. Aside from bad smells, mold also releases spores, which can be harmful to sensitive people, like those with asthma.
So whenever you notice a small leak, no matter how small, you should always consider patching it up as soon as you can.
4. Going Chemical Crazy on Clogs
Clogged drains are a downright pain to deal with. Some homeowners don’t have the time to take apart piping to fix the clog so they turn to chemicals. These chemicals are designed to dissolve the clog and get the water flowing again.
The problem with these chemicals is that they can do more damage than good. These chemicals can cause your pipes to erode over time, and this may lead to bigger issues as time goes on.
Also, not all of these chemical drain cleaners work as well as promised. Some may barely make a difference in your clogged pipe and will just be a waste of money.
5. Mismatching Pipes
You might not always have the right materials on hand with DIY plumbing, so you might just be tempted to use whatever is available at home. This is never a good idea.
Not all pipes and fittings are compatible with each other and using the wrong materials and parts could lead to pipe failures and corrosion.
It’s always important to have the right parts on hand when you attempt plumbing repairs.
6. Failing to Shut off the Water
This is a very common mistake many people make when attempting to repair their plumbing.
When you have a plumbing emergency, the very first thing you need to do is shut off the water, otherwise it could lead to more damage.
When you’re having a plumbing emergency, it can be easy to forget this simple step when you’re already very stressed out, but it should always be a priority.
Why You Need to Call a Plumber
Let’s take a look at why you should call a professional plumber to help you with your plumbing emergencies:
1. Proper Tools and Equipment
As mentioned before, you might not always have the tools and materials you need for plumbing repairs, but a professional San Diego plumber will have access to the latest tools and equipment needed to efficiently tackle plumbing jobs. This means that these professionals can handle plumbing repairs more efficiently than a DIY job.
2. Quality Workmanship
Professional plumbers always promise quality work. They leave no stone unturned and will make sure your plumbing issue is completely fixed. This will also ensure that you won’t have to deal with recurring plumbing problems, which could happen during DIY repairs.
3. Safety
Plumbing can be very sensitive work and there can be a few risks involved. You may need to do tasks like lifting heavy equipment and using power tools which could cause injury. By leaving the work to a professional San Diego plumber, you and your family can stay safe.
4. Time-Saving
Trying to fix plumbing problems by yourself can be very time-consuming. If you have a busy schedule, you might not have any time to attempt these repairs. In this case, it would be better to call a professional to take care of the issue for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some commonly asked questions from our customers:
1. Why are my drains draining slowly?
This may be a sign that there’s a blockage somewhere in your pipes. Try using a plunger to unclog the drain, but if this doesn’t work, call a professional.
2. Do I need to replace pipes to fix a leak?
Not necessarily. Small leaks can be fixed with some epoxy putty or a pipe clamp. If the damage is extensive, you might need to replace the damaged section of the pipe.
3. How do I find a water leak in my home?
Check for visible signs of moisture or discoloration on walls, ceilings, and floors. You can also monitor your water meter; if it continues to move when all the water is turned off, you probably have a leak.
San Diego Plumbing: Always a Great Choice
Plumbing can be tough to do on your own and if you don’t have any experience, you could make a few mistakes. Luckily, professional plumbers are here to help! They have the expertise to handle all your plumbing problems, from leak detection and repiping to water heater repair and drain cleaning.
Give Voyager Plumbing in San Diego a call today!
