If you’ve ever dealt with a clogged toilet, broken faucet or other plumbing issue, then you know how annoying, costly and inconvenient they can be. Having to call a plumber or do manual repairs on your own can be a huge hassle, especially if this is an ongoing issue. However, with the right know-how, you don’t have to let that keep you from maintaining your plumbing system and keeping it in good working order. In fact, by learning a few tricks and keeping a close eye out for these common plumbing mistakes, you can save yourself a lot of time, money and effort in the long run. Keep reading to learn more about avoiding these common mistakes when repairing or replacing your plumbing system in your home or business.

Forgetting to shut off the main water supply.

It’s important to know that you need to turn off the main water supply whenever you’re working on a pipe or fitting that is connected to it. This means that if you’re trying to unclog a toilet or deal with a broken washer or faucet, you need to shut off the main water supply so that you don’t accidentally flood your house. If you don’t remember to shut off the main supply, you could end up causing a lot of damage to your property, as well as incurring unnecessary repair costs for your plumbing system. This mistake is especially common among DIY home repair enthusiasts.

Forgetting to shut off the water supply to the area you’re working on.

If you’re doing a faucet repair or replacing a toilet, you need to shut off the water supply to the entire faucet or toilet. This is different from shutting off the main water supply, which is used by the entire house. If you forget to do this and turn off the faucet, you could be putting yourself and your family at risk of a serious injury or water damage. Not only could the faucet get stuck and cause you to trip, but you could also accidentally turn on a faucet in another part of your house, which could lead to flooding or other serious damage.

Not using the right repair kit for the job.

There are lots of different repair kits that you can use when you have to repair your own plumbing system. However, you need to make sure that you’re using the right repair kit for the job you’re doing. For example, if you’re replacing a toilet, you’ll probably want to use a toilet tank repair kit rather than a toilet bowl repair kit. Likewise, if you’re replacing a faucet, you’ll want to use a faucet repair kit instead of a faucet installation kit. Each type of repair kit is designed for a specific job, so if you use the wrong repair kit, you’ll end up wasting time and money.

Only paying attention to one side of the plumbing system.

It’s important to remember that plumbing systems are interconnected, so if you’re doing a repair on one side of the system, you need to make sure that you’re not causing a problem that will pop up on the other side. For example, if you’re doing a repair on your kitchen sink, you need to make sure that you’re not forgetting to flush the toilet at the same time. If you do this, the toilet will back up into the kitchen sink, which could be a messy, costly and inconvenient problem.

Assuming that the easiest solution will work.

Finally, it’s important to remember that there is no one single “right” way to repair or replace your plumbing system. There are lots of different techniques and strategies, so there’s no single best way to go about repairing or replacing your plumbing system. Instead, you need to figure out what works best for your home or property, and then use it. If you assume that the easiest solution will work, you could end up making a costly mistake and wasting your time and money unnecessarily.

Conclusion

The tips and tricks discussed above are sure to help you avoid the most common mistakes when repairing or replacing your plumbing system. If you follow these tips, you can save yourself time, money and effort in the long run. That’s because these common mistakes can cause you to lose money and time, as well as put you at risk of making a mistake that could become a bigger problem in the future.

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