If you own a home, you’ll understand that there is plenty of upkeep to consider. From the mechanics of the home to everyday cleaning and maintenance, you will have to take daily steps to ensure your home stays in top condition. One area of constant concern is the plumbing systems. The plumbing systems are imperative to the daily operations of the home. From washing clothes to drinking water, we rely on the plumbing system to function correctly. While certain plumbing projects are easily DIY, there are many that are not and disaster can strike at any minute. Below are a few tips on how you avoid DIY plumbing nightmares and keep your system functioning properly.
With most plumbing projects, you need to turn the water off first. In many cases, the homeowner forgets and ends up ruining furniture, flooring or a major portion of the house by forgetting to turn off the water. To avoid a huge water disaster, you need to determine where the shut off valves are. The valves are usually located in the basement area or in a hidden access panel. The main house shutoff is important to avoid water flooding when working on plumbing systems.
Before working on any major plumbing project, such as replacing piping, you need to learn about your home’s plumbing system. You can learn the basics of plumbing via plumbing courses or look at blueprints of the home’s plumbing system. By using all the information you have on hand; you will begin to understand how your plumbing system operates so you can be successful with any DIY project. Contact your local plumbing company to see if they offer refresher courses or classes to help you learn more about plumbing service and DIY.
Like many homeowners, you may decide to tackle a DIY plumbing project without knowing what to do. This can lead to a potential disaster. It is important for you to know what you are doing before you begin. If you have never installed a toilet before, you might want to read up on the subject before beginning. If not, you may find yourself with a huge hole in the bathroom and nowhere to go! This rule can be applied to any plumbing project from changing out piping to replacing a faucet fixture. Without learning about the process of repair, you can have a severe disaster on your hands that will cost must less than if you had hired a plumber to complete the project for you in the first place.
A common issue in a home is an overflowing toilet. It is annoying and bothersome to continually clean up paper and water from the floor. Teach everyone in the home, especially children, to flush only toilet paper and waste and to not overfill the bowel. Keep a plunger on hand to be able to clear the toilet if a backup occurs.
Broken pipes are not uncommon in a home, especially an older home. When a pipe breaks, use your knowledge of turning off the water to avoid any more water damage. You will need to replace the broken pipe or at least patch the pipe until you can get the help you need. This may be a project in which you need to hire a professional.
When making DIY plumbing repairs, you want to be sure that you have the proper tools. A toolbox for plumbing should include a pipe wrench, basin wrench, metal file, hacksaw, tongue-and-groove pliers, a propane torch and hand auger. With these tools, you will have a great start on any DIY project.
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