5 tips to help you avoid major plumbing repairs
Taking care of your plumbing can help you keep on top of any smaller issues before they develop into major plumbing repairs. You don’t need to be an expert to ensure your plumbing is well maintained – all it takes is some basic precautionary measures and you can avoid hefty repair bills down the line.
One of the most common issues related to plumbing stems from poorly maintained or amateur repair work on pipes and systems. It really pays to bring in an expert if you have noticed a problem with your pipes. To help you diagnose any issues, we’ve compiled 5 tips to help you avoid major plumbing repairs.
Tip 1 – Understand your property’s plumbing
Get to grips with your plumbing system and try to figure out where things like the main shutoff valve and main pipes are located. This can help you address any leaks as well as provide you with a way to turn off the water should any big problems, like flooding, arise. This is a stop-gap tip as if you do find a problem, your best bet is to always contact a professional plumber.
Tip 2 – Don’t empty things down the drain
Most homeowners don’t have a garbage compactor for their sinks, meaning that if foreign objects such as leftover food end up down the sink, that is where they stay. This can cause a range of issues including bug infestations, bad smells and blocked pipes.
Unfortunately, many people seem to use sinks and toilets as a way to discard unwanted food scraps, wet wipes and much more. This is a very common cause of plumbing problems that can be entirely avoided if you treat your sink and plumbing properly. Do not discard improper items down the drain or toilet and you will dramatically increase the health of your plumbing.
Tip 3 – Do not overtighten pipes
If you have decided to get your hands dirty and attempt a simple DIY repair on your plumbing, do not fall at the final hurdle and over tighten your pipes. Doing so will leave you in a troubling situation as your pipes might crack, leak and leave you worse off than before.
It’s in your best interests to tighten your pipes, but leave a little bit of wiggle room so the connection is sealed but not overly tightened. That way, less pressure is exerted on the nut and thread of the pipe.
Tip 4 – Avoid pouring chemicals directly into your plumbing system
If you have ever used a chemical product to de-clog a drain, you might have read on the label that the chemicals are designed for bathroom or kitchen plumbing. This is because the chemicals are formulated to tackle specific blockages.
Chemical cleaners are good for softer blockages, but when it comes to hardened items and major blockages, a chemical unblocker will be of no use. What’s worse, using these chemicals can weaken your plumbing system and degrade the material of your pipes. Wherever possible, avoid chemical solutions directly entering your plumbing system.
Tip 5 – Don’t fix plumbing problems if you’re unsure what’s causing them
Even the smallest leak in your pipes can stem from an incredibly complex plumbing problem that would be beyond your level of expertise to repair. If you attempt a repair without sufficient knowledge of the problem, then you are setting yourself up for failure. Without a keen sense of what is causing a leak, you could just end up making things worse.
Bringing in a professional plumber when things are beyond your pay grade is a smart decision. They will have all of the knowledge, tools and responsibility to address your plumbing problem. That means if something does go wrong, you are not solely responsible for the situation. More often than not, though, a professional plumber will be able to inspect, identify and resolve any issues with your plumbing.
It is also a good idea to use the same plumber wherever possible, as they will have a good understanding of your plumbing system and will know what to expect if they get called out again.
You should also save their number so you can contact them when you’re facing another emergency plumbing issue. Save yourself the hassle and call them instead of doing a DIY job and making the problem worse than it is.
Bonus tip – stick with a trusted plumbing business
Although some minor DIY work on your plumbing is perfectly reasonable – provided you know what you are doing – it really benefits you to have a reputable plumber on hand. Our team at All Day Plumbing is here to help, so call us today if you would like to arrange an appointment.