The Most Common DIY Plumbing Mistakes

Tue, Jun 11, 2024 15:49 CET

As tempting as it is to attempt to try to fix things as a DIY project to save a bit of money, there are many common DIY plumbing mistakes that can result in you spending a lot more money in the long run.

A person holding a wrench and a faucet

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Below, plumbing expert David Cruz at MyJobQuote.co.uk takes a look at some of the most common DIY plumbing mistakes homeowners make and why it is important to hire a professional plumber.

Failing to Obtain the Appropriate Tools For The Job

Before beginning any DIY project, it is important that you ensure you have gathered all of the proper plumbing supplies needed for the job so that you have them on hand whenever you need them. One of the common problems that DIYers make is assuming they can use tools that they already have lying around the house.

Unfortunately, this can cause some major issues as they could end up damaging hardware or breaking pipes. This may then cause even more costly problems. You can prevent this from being a problem by hiring a professional. A professional plumber will always have the right tools for any given job.

Overtightening The Connections

Another common plumbing mistake that DIYers make is overtightening connections. If you overtighten things like toilet bolts, supply tubes, and pipe fittings, you can easily crack or break these fittings. In some cases, the crack may not be visible immediately. Overtightened fittings may break days, weeks, or even months later, causing expensive flooding and potentially destroying your pipework and causing damage to your home.

With this in mind, it is important to be gentle and remain vigilant whenever you are tightening any connections. A professional plumber will have a lot of experience tightening connections and will know just how much to pressure to out on bolts to ensure there are no problems.

The Job Is Started Without Any Extra Parts On Hand

In some cases, it is important to have additional spare parts on hand, just in case. Many DIYers will fail to do this. For example, if you have determined a faulty cartridge or washer is the issue, you may jump right into the job with just these parts on hand for replacement. While this makes a lot of sense, it is important to remember that if one of the parts isn't working well, there is a chance some other parts in the faucet may also need to be replaced.

It is a good idea to have some spare stem seals, gaskets, and O-rings on hand when doing this type of work, just in case. This is a common mistake home DIYers often make. By having spare parts on hand just in case, it means that you won't have to run out to the shop in the middle of the job.

Mixing Up Tees, Wyes, and Elbow Joints

This is possibly one of the worst mistakes DIY plumbers can make. It's easy to mix up these fittings and create inaccurate joints and fittings instead of sticking to the golden rules of plumbing. Certain plumbing issues may require unique fixes. Each of these fittings requires different situations for them to be applied properly. It's important to know which plumbing issues require which solution to ensure the job goes well. You will also need to know when each fitting is required.

For example, using a 90-degree vent elbow to change the direction of the drain line can result in clogs within the pipework. To prevent these issues, it's best to leave this type of work to the professionals.

Forgetting to Turn Off Your Water Supply

If you try to tackle any plumbing DIY jobs without turning off the water supply, you're likely in for some trouble. You may be faced with a large flood if you don't act fast. This is one of the most common DIY plumbing mistakes and results in thousands of pounds of damage for homeowners every year.

If you are planning on doing any DIY plumbing work, you must make sure you turn your water supply off before doing anything else. Alternatively, you can hire a professional plumber to complete the work for you. That way, you won't need to worry about a thing.

Using Drain Cleaners Instead of Alternatives

Most people's first thought when it comes to blocked drains is to rush out to the local DIY shop and buy a chemical drain cleaner. This may be helpful in some cases, however, it never really fixes the issue properly. Liquid drain cleaners can often cause additional issues down the line. The liquids in chemical drain cleaners are corrosive and can cause damage to your pipes, resulting in a leak. These drain cleaning solutions may also cause damage to rubber gaskets inside the drain line.

It's much better to use a tool such as a drain snake to remove the blockage. Alternatively, consider hiring a professional plumber who will be able to locate, identify and remove the blockage in a safe way, without causing any damage to your drain system.

How to Find a Good Plumber

In most cases, it is best to leave home plumbing work to professionals. Even the smallest mistake could end up costing you a lot more money in the future.

To find a good, reliable local plumber, consider searching online and looking at some reviews of plumbers in your local area. A good plumber will be able to provide testimonials from previous customers as well as evidence of previous work.

It's also worth asking people you know to see if any of your friends or family members have recently used a good plumber they may be happy to recommend to you.

Tips For a Successful DIY Plumbing Job

If you are considering doing some DIY plumbing jobs around the home, there are several things that you should keep in mind. Below are some tips to keep in mind if you’re thinking about doing some DIY work around your home.

Always Read The Safety Labels

Have you ever wondered why something looks dodgy or starts to fall apart after a few uses? It may be down to the products that you used. For example, there are many different types of sealants to choose from. All sealants look very similar, so it can be difficult to determine which one would be best for the job at hand and which one may not work.

A good choice of sealant for applying to wall tiles, for example, should have proper adhesive so that it can be applied effectively and give you a completely sealed finish. Plus, it should have all the ingredients needed to prevent black fungus from creeping into it.

It’s also important to ensure that the products you’re using are in date so that the consistency is correct and so that you know that it’s going to perform effectively.

Invest in a Universal Tool Key

If you are just planning on completing the odd DIY job around the home, you may not be able to justify buying an entire plumber’s tool kit. This is where a universal tool key comes in very handy.

This handy little device will open up your meter box, double up as various sizes of quick spanner, and it will have an internal key that you can use on many different taps. These keys usually have a flat head on them, so you can put a spanner across in order to give you some extra leverage on occasions where things are a bit tight.

Invest in The Latest Pipe Technology

You can make your life a lot easier if you purchase a flexible tap connector whenever you install things like taps, basins, or a toilet cistern. In recent years, most professional plumbers have been opting to switch from the old copper pipes to these more modern, flexible connectors.

These connectors fix directly to the pipe from the taps and include an isolation valve which will allow you to change a cartridge or washer on the tap without having to shut off your main water supply. These newer pipes can also bend and flex so they can fit into any shape or space without the need for cutting or joining.

Don’t Skimp on The Materials

If you choose to complete some plumbing DIY work yourself, it's important to choose the materials you use wisely. You could assume that something is quite a generic piece of material. For example, you may think one waste pipe is just as good as another. However, many professional plumbers can even come into problems with some of the waste pipes that you can purchase on the high street.

When it comes to selecting the right plumbing materials and tools, choosing high-quality items is essential. If you do the opposite, you'll be putting yourself at a disadvantage, and you may find that you'll have to spend even more money getting a professional to come in and rectify your mistakes.

Final Thoughts

The allure of a DIY project to save money is understandable. However, tackling plumbing repairs without the proper expertise can lead to costly mistakes. Consider the potential consequences before diving in. If you're unsure about your abilities or the complexity of the job, don't hesitate to call a professional plumber.

By hiring a qualified plumber, you can save yourself time, money, and frustration in the long run. They can diagnose the problem accurately, complete the repair efficiently, and ensure your plumbing system functions safely and effectively.

MyJobQuote is one of the UK's top trades matching sites that helps individuals find a reputable tradesperson in their local area.

MyJobQuote also has a wide range of experts with extensive knowledge in interior design, cleaning, gardening, property, construction and more. MyJobQuote's experts have been featured in over 700 publications, including Woman and Home, The Times, House Beautiful, BBC News and more.