Top 5 Plumbing Mistakes
Plumbing has been a modern convenience now for at least a few centuries. Being able to safely remove wastewater from your home while bringing in fresh water has been a game-changer when it comes to the survival of the human race. It’s hard to even picture what life was like before modern plumbing.
Plumbing is a science. Knowing how to utilize gravity to make it work is a learned tradecraft. That’s why licensed plumbers in Melbourne, Florida go to school and train on the job for many years before being able to take on jobs. Plumbing is a serious business that is not done correctly, can cost the homeowner a great deal of money.
In this article we want to look at some of the biggest plumbing mistakes people make. Learning these mistakes may help keep you from making them.
1. Over Tightening Connections
Supply tubes, pipes, and fitting are often over-tightened by novice plumbers because they believe that tighter = better. But in reality, if a connection is too tight it can cause tiny cracks to start. These cracks then grow in size and the next thing you know you have a leak or busted pipe or connection.
2. Using the Wrong Thread Tape
Thread tape is a great way to get that perfect seal on a connection. But people will sometimes either use the wrong tape or apply it improperly. This can actually have the exact opposite effect of what was intended. It’s a rookie move that can backfire dramatically.
3. Overuse of Drain Cleaner
Drain cleaners are toxic and abrasive chemicals used to clear out a clog. But overuse of these chemicals can be bad for you plumbing system. The best way to clean a clog is with a snake. Harsh cleaners should not be your first option.
4. Not Turning Off the Water Main
Sometimes people will work on their plumbing and forget to turn off the water main valve. This is a big mistake. They only realize the mistake they have made after water gushes into their living space.
5. Not Using to Correct Tools
The proper equipment is always with plumbers. Using the tools they have on hand, do-it-yourselfers frequently attempt to get by. That’s where the real problems start. If you attempt to remove an old galvanized nipple using slip joint pliers or a regular pipe wrench, you risk breaking the pipe and leaving the threads in the wall. Purchasing a cheap set of internal pipe wrenches will help you avoid that kind of damage. For other plumbing repairs, the same guidelines apply.
• Do not use a strap wrench on your faucet to damage its finish. Alternately, apply electrician’s tape to the jaws of an adjustable wrench.
• Use an extendable basin wrench to remove obstinate faucet supply tubes and fasteners.
• Use a tubing cutter instead of a hack saw to cut tubing precisely square.
• Use an exterior/interior wire brush combination to expedite copper burnishing.
We hope this article has been helpful in understanding the mistakes people make when working on their plumbing. By learning what not to do, you can make sure to steer clear of catastrophe.
