When it comes to your household plumbing, there's nothing wrong with knowing a few things to fix small problems when they arise. For instance, every homeowner should know where the water turnoff valve is near the toilet base in the event of an emergency overflow. At the same time, though, household plumbing is complicated, and some issues require the services of a professional.
Don't Make These Plumbing Mistakes
Below are some common DIY plumbing mistakes to avoid:
1. Overusing Drain Cleaner
Commercial drain cleaners contain caustic chemicals that are formulated to dissolve whatever is clogging the drain pipes. However, since all clogs are different, the chemicals may be unnecessarily strong in order to get the clog cleared. In addition, most plumbers don't recommend using chemical drain cleaners at all, since they can harm pipes and cause costly repairs. If you find yourself using drain cleaner repeatedly for a chronic clogging issue, you could be endangering the plumbing system. Instead, call a professional plumber to find out the root of the problem.
2. Forgetting to Turn Off the Water Before Repairs
This DIY mistake happens surprisingly often. Eager DIYers either forget to turn off the water entirely before disconnecting pipes, or they turn off the water in the wrong spot. Either way, someone is going to get an unexpected shower.
3. Fiddling Around With the Water Pressure
DIYers who notice that household water pressure is too low may be tempted to look up online videos about how to increase water pressure with the turn of a screwdriver. But beware. Increasing water pressure too high can cause pipes to burst. If your water pressure is too low or has dropped suddenly, there are many possible reasons, which might have nothing to do with the water pressure gauge. Only a qualified professional plumber should alter the water pressure in a home. Of all the plumbing companies Pittsburgh residents choose most for things like this Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, is the most experienced and reputable.
4. Not Adhering to Code
Local building codes help ensure that homes are safe to live in. DIYers who ignore or are ignorant of codes can cause a great deal of damage to a property's plumbing system. If you ignore the code and get caught, you could face severe fines and penalties. Worse, you could cause a future home sale to fall through if the required home inspection before the sale uncovers plumbing repairs that have not been completed by a licensed plumber.
Don't fall for these common DIY plumbing mistakes. It's easy to get plumbing service in Pittsburgh. For a fast appointment, please contact us today.