As a homeowner, there’s something uniquely satisfying about fixing a problem in your home by yourself. However, when it comes to your home’s plumbing, it’s easy to get in over your head. Even what seems like a simple plumbing update or repair can easily go wrong if you attempt a DIY solution. Unfortunately, we see the results of misplaced DIY confidence all of the time. And we’d like to help you avoid causing yourself headaches the next time you’re considering a DIY plumbing solution. To do that, here are seven of the most common DIY plumbing mistakes we see and how to avoid them.
1. Overtightened Fittings and Hardware
One of the most common DIY plumbing mistakes our plumbers encounter is overtightened fittings. After all, a loose fitting can lead to a flood. However, what many DIYers don’t realize is that an overtightened fitting can cause a flood, too. When you apply too much force to tighten the fittings on a water supply line, you risk damaging it. You may not see the results of such damage right away. Instead, it could begin as a mere weakness in the fitting that can lead to premature failure. And if you overtighten the bolts that hold a toilet to the floor, you can easily crack the toilet’s porcelain. That’s another issue you may not notice right away but can have major ramifications later.
2. Overreliance on Drain Cleaners
Another common issue we encounter is homeowners who are quick to reach for drain cleaners. Most of the commercially available drain cleaning products are terrible for your home’s pipes. This is because many of them rely on caustic ingredients meant to dissolve clogs. The problem is that those substances can also slowly dissolve your pipes and any gaskets they encounter. Eventually, that will lead to leaks in your plumbing system, which are far harder to fix than clogs. So, do yourself a favor and invest in a few clog-removal tools. Keep a quality plunger on hand, and consider using natural solutions like baking soda and vinegar to resolve clogs. Those solutions work well on clogs that are close to your drains. If you have clogs well beyond those points, calling a plumber for help is always your best option.
3. Using PTFE Tape Wrong
Most times you buy a new showerhead or faucet these days, it’ll arrive with a small roll of PTFE tape. One of that tape’s purposes is to help form a seal around the fittings that attach your supply lines. It also provides a non-stick surface to make tightening the connection easier. The trouble is that this only works if you use the right amount of tape and wind it in the right direction. You should aim to wrap the tape around the pipe threads three times in the same direction as the threads. In other words, wrap the tape in the direction you will turn the fixture to tighten it. Otherwise, it will bunch up in the threads and could lead to leaks.
4. Using Too Much Force on a Stuck Valve
Another common DIY plumbing mistake often made by homeowners is trying to free up a stuck valve by using force. Unfortunately, this is also an excellent way to snap off the valve’s knob. It’s also a great way to snap the valve fitting itself. If this happens to you, it could lead to a sudden flood that you’ll have to scramble to stop. If you encounter a stuck valve, all you need is an appropriate adjustable wrench for its stem nut. Loosen that nut slightly, and it should allow the valve to turn. When you’re done, re-tighten the nut to prevent any future leaks.
5. Forgetting To Turn off the Water
As unbelievable as it might sound, homeowners often neglect to turn off their home’s water supply while they work. If you’re unaccustomed to working with plumbing, it’s easy to forget to do this. Then, the moment you attempt any DIY plumbing work, you end up with a big mess. A professional plumber will always turn off your home’s water supply before they make any changes to your home’s plumbing. You generally won’t need to turn off the water to resolve a clog. Most other plumbing issues need the help of a professional, though.
6. Using Saddle Valves
If you’ve ever installed a water supply line for an ice maker or humidifier, you’ve likely seen a saddle valve. They come with those devices and supposedly allow for a simple and secure way to tap an existing supply line. The concept is simple. They’re basically a rubber gasket and a screw-driven needle. All you have to do is mount one on your supply pipe and turn its handle until the needle pierces the pipe. This provides a path for water to reach your new line while the rubber gasket prevents leaks. Unfortunately, they rarely manage to do this for very long.
As the gasket in a saddle valve dries out, it will often begin leaking. If you don’t notice this right away, it could do some serious damage to your home. And, if you have to turn a saddle valve on and off a few times, that could cause a failure, too. It happens because closing a saddle valve relies on adding pressure to the gasket to stop the flow of water. After a few closures, the seal will likely fail. For this reason, saddle valves don’t meet most plumbing codes. Therefore, if you have any device that comes with one, you shouldn’t use it. Instead, hire a qualified plumber to install a reliable valve in your water supply line.
7. Using the Wrong Tools for the Job
Another common DIY plumbing mistake is tackling a plumbing task without having all the right tools for the job. After all, most people don’t have a fully stocked plumbing workshop to supply them with what they need. Most simply buy what they think they need for a given task and then try to make do if something’s missing. Unfortunately, using the wrong tools for a plumbing job can lead to disaster. If you’re lucky, the worst you’ll do is damage the finish of a fixture. If you’re not, you could do serious damage to your home itself by causing a flood.
Your Trusted Local Plumber
If you have a plumbing problem in your Mesa home, count on Delta Mechanical to help. With over 30 years of service under our belt and a team of highly-trained plumbers, we’re ready for anything. We can handle all of your home’s plumbing needs, including plumbing repairs, water heaters, leak detection, repiping, and water treatment. Plus, we’re BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and countless five-star customer reviews. Not only that, but our excellent track record has led Home Depot to trust us to be Home Depot Service Providers. So, when you need a trustworthy plumber in Mesa, call Delta Mechanical right away!
