Owning your own home can be one of the biggest milestones in life, and one that many people work and aspire towards. That being said, being a smart homeowner can be a big responsibility, and there are a lot of mistakes to avoid.
Nowhere is this more true than in the bathroom. Plumbing mistakes for novice homeowners are all too common and have been since the advent of indoor plumbing. Taking some time to learn about proper plumbing care can ensure you don’t run into problems that can be both time-consuming and expensive.
What are a few things to look out for? Keep reading.
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Don’t Flush Items Down That Don’t Belong
This is one that you might need to run by your children and teens if you haven’t, as they are the biggest perpetrators. It should be common sense not to flush items down the toilet that don’t belong, but often it isn’t.
This includes paper towels, feminine products, food, toys, or any number of other items or objects that don’t belong in the pipes of your plumbing system.
Most people assume that just because these items flush down the toilet alright, there’s nothing else to worry about. However, where problems really arise is somewhere later down the pipes. These items can get stuck or lodged somewhere further down your drain line, causing problems hard to see and to get to.
This can mean a quite complicated fix when it comes time to clear the clog and get your plumbing system back up and running. A professional plumber will have to be called in.
Don’t Overtighten Connections
If you’re having a simple plumbing problem at home, you may decide that you can handle the fix yourself. A DIY fix can save time, but there’s also the risk of making a mistake and pushing the problem to a worse place instead of better.
The main issue that DIYers face? Overtightening tubes, pipes, fittings, and bolts. Why is this an issue? If you crank too hard on any of these areas, you run a very high risk of actually cracking the fitting.
Excessive force can force a crack open and a leak can start as a result. This crack may not come right at the moment you apply pressure either. It might take a few weeks to reveal itself.
When tightening things up remember to be careful about how much force you’re applying. You need it to be secure but go too tight and you can have an issue. This is one of the most important maintenance tips out there.
Turn Off the Water
There are many instances where you will actually want to turn off the flow of water to your bathrooms. Certain kinds of DIY work will be easier without water flowing, for one.
However, there are other instances where turning off the water can work more as a preventive measure.
If you’re going to be away from home for some days during the cold winter, turning off your water can help to ensure the water won’t freeze within the pipes.
Plumbing Mistakes to Avoid
No matter if you’re trying a DIY fix or just taking preventive measures, you’ll want to be wary when trying to handle plumbing matters on your own. There are a number of plumbing mistakes that are easy to make if you’re a novice, the above being some of the most common.
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