When your pipes are clogged, you naturally want to get them working again as soon as possible. In most cases, this means hiring a plumber. However, many homeowners attempt to fix plumbing issues themselves before bringing in a professional. Unfortunately, this can lead to even more problems down the road. If you’re eager to get your plumbing issues resolved as soon as possible, but aren’t exactly sure how to go about doing so, this article will provide you with some helpful advice that can get you back on track. When it comes to plumbing problems, there are plenty of mistakes that can be made. It’s best to be aware of them beforehand so that you can avoid them when possible and keep your home’s plumbing systems in good working order at all times.
Don’t attempt to repair a clogged line before you know what the issue is.
The first thing you should do whenever you discover a clogged pipe is shut off the main water supply and turn the water supply to the affected area off. You can then use a snake to clear out the clogged line. However, before you decide to do this, make sure that you know what the issue is. If it turns out that the clogged line is the result of an animal blockage, the best course of action is to get rid of the animal. Otherwise, you should consider replacing the line.
Don’t try to fix a leaking faucet with toothpaste.
Leaking faucets are a common plumbing issue. Unfortunately, many people attempt to fix them by stuffing toothpaste down the faucet. This is not only a bad idea, but it can actually cause more damage than good. It’s best to use a specialized plumbing product to fix this problem.
Don’t put water in hot water lines.
Hot water lines are incredibly fragile and should never be connected to cold water lines. Doing so will cause the hot water line to break, which will cause you a ton of unnecessary stress. If you have to mix hot and cold water together in a hot water line, use a mixing device that’s specifically designed for the job.
Be careful when working with PVC pipes.
While PVC pipes are common in homes, they’re not particularly easy to work with. If you attempt to repair a PVC pipe without the proper tools, you’re likely to cause more damage than good. Always be cautious when working with PVC pipes, and always use the right tools for the job.
Don’t turn the water back on too quickly after turning off the main water supply.
If you turn off the main water supply and then get the pipes working again fairly quickly, there’s a good chance that you’ll cause some serious damage. Many people don’t realize that water left in a pipe for longer than two hours can cause serious damage to the pipe. If you need to turn the water supply off for longer than a couple of hours, consider installing a water shut-off device.
Bottom line
Hopefully, this article provided you with some helpful advice for dealing with common plumbing problems. While there are many different problems that can occur with your pipes, the majority of them can be resolved with the right tools and the right knowledge. With the right tools and the right knowledge, you should be able to get your plumbing issues resolved quickly and easily. As long as you’re aware of these common plumbing mistakes, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting your pipes working again.