When it comes to plumbing, you want to make sure you don’t make any common mistakes. Even if you think you know your way around with pipes and fittings, there are still plenty of pitfalls you need to watch out for. The good news is that with a little bit of knowledge and a few precautions, you can avoid most of these problems and have a very efficient and reliable plumbing system installed in your home or business. Here are some common mistakes that people make when it comes to plumbing:

Not having a permit before starting any plumbing project

This is a big mistake for two reasons. First, it’s a safety precaution. Without a permit, you aren’t allowed to work on any plumbing system in your home or business. This means that you could be working in someone else’s house and not even know it. Depending on the job, the work could be extremely dangerous without the right permits. The second reason it’s a mistake is because it’s illegal. In some states, you can be fined up to $10,000 and even more for not having a permit. Even if you’re doing a small project, you should have the permits in order. If you’re doing a larger project, you may want to hire a professional general contractor to help you.

Being too cheap and not hiring a contractor

There are some plumbing jobs that are easy enough for anyone to do. Pipes that are less than four inches in diameter, for example, can be installed by almost anyone. Anything larger than that, though, requires the assistance of a contractor. There are lots of things that you may think are easy, but a contractor will know how to do them correctly and safely. For example, if you have a slab that needs to be dug up for a new sewer line, a contractor will know the best way to do it. They’ll also know how deep to dig, whether to use a backhoe or a trenching machine, and how to prevent damage to the house.

Not having back-ups properly sized and installed

If you have a main water supply and a secondary water supply, back-ups can happen. This is when one pipe is in use, and another pipe with water flowing through it is not. The two pipes may be connected together with a fitting that is too small or too large. This could lead to a major problem if you have a back-up, because the fitting could break, causing a massive amount of water to flow into your house or business. The best way to prevent back-ups is to size the fittings correctly. This means measuring the size of the pipes and the flow rate to determine the size of the fittings. If your pipes are plastic and the fitting has a tendency to break, use PVC cement to secure it. This will ensure that you never have a back-up again.

Not having a back-up plan for water shut-offs

This is a big mistake for businesses or anyone who is renting or leasing a property. If you’re in a situation where a water shut-off is needed, there could be an emergency where you need water. This means that you need to have a backup plan in place so that you can turn the water off. If you don’t have a back-up plan, you could be caught in an emergency that you don’t know how to handle. There are several ways you can have a back-up plan for water shut-offs. One option is to have a shut-off inside the house and another shut-off outside. There are also shut-offs that are built into the pipes. These are good for businesses, but they don’t come cheap, so they might not be a good idea if you’re renting or leasing.

Leaving the water off when the plumber is working on your house

This is a mistake that is often made by people who don’t have any experience with plumbing. If you don’t leave the water off when a plumber is working on your house, you risk damaging your appliances and fixtures. This is because when a plumber is working on your water system, they will need to flush the pipes with water to make sure they are clean. If you have the water turned on, the water will flow through the pipes and into the toilet or sink, which can cause damage. If you have to leave the water off when the plumber is working on your house, you can still take care of your own appliances, so you won’t have to worry about damage.

Conclusion

Plumbing is a necessary service in every home and business. You can’t live without water, but you can’t live with it either. These simple tips will help you make sure your plumbing system is operating at its best. Stay safe and avoid common mistakes by knowing what to expect and how to prevent them from happening again.

Frequently Asked Question

  • Keeping the Water On During an Emergency
  • Overusing Drain Cleaners
  • Fixing Plumbing Issues on Your Own
  • Ignoring a Plumbing Issue
  • Using a Handyman Instead of a Licensed Plumber
  • Turning Off Your Heater in the Winter
  • Not Scheduling Plumbing Service
  • Have the Right Tools for the Job
  • Turn off All Water Before You Start
  • Use Natural Methods to Unclog Your Drains
  • Don't Put Trash in Your Garbage Disposal
  • Don't Overtighten Plumbing Connections
  • Don't Hesitate to Call for Help
Maintenance may also include inspection of your garbage disposal lines (and unit), dishwasher, and washing machine hoses and lines. Maintenance sometimes consists of a drain and flush of the water heater. If you've purchased a plumbing maintenance plan, read the fine print and always ask for clarification.
  • Over Tightening Plumbing Connections
  • Using Inappropriate Tape or Wrapping a Thread Tape Backwards
  • Using Drain Line Cleaners as the First Option
  • Handling Plumbing Jobs without the Necessary Spare Parts
  • Failing to Turn Off Water
  • Using Excessive Force on Valves Stuck on Shut Off