The 3 Most Common Plumbing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Being a self-reliant home owner is very rewarding. Being able to take care of minor repairs is a great way to get experience and save money.

However, there are certain jobs that must be left to the professionals. Homeowners may be tempted to save money on major plumbing repairs by doing it themselves, but this could result in disastrous consequences.

The cost of water damage restoration depends on the size, extend, materials and water type.

Drying a flooded basement could cost up to 5 thousand dollars while damage from a burst water pipe could be over 10 thousand dollars. Below explains the three most common plumbing mistakes and how to avoid them.

It’s a Trap!

Traps and vents are usually misunderstood concepts. They both maintain a sanitary barrier between the sewer and home. Without a seal, vermin or methane gas can enter the pipes.

Without proper venting, water in the trap can be siphoned out, which will leave the trap dry and useless. A trap isn’t just an elbow pipe that connects to the drain, it is an elbow pipe with a trap arm that connects to a vent.

Mismatching the Pipes

Switching out a leaking pipe appears innocent enough, but science disagrees. When galvanized metal pipes connect to copper pipes, the result is corrosion and future leaks. If you incorrectly replace the wrong pipe, you will certainly have to do it all over again.

The key to avoiding this is to use a special fitting, called a dielectric union, which will prevent any corrosion. Replacing a pipe needs to be done properly with the right size, metal type and pipe sealant.

Improper Use of Drain Cleaners

A drain cleaner isn’t your average household cleaning product. All drain cleaners contain dangerous and potentially deadly chemical solutions. Store brand drain cleaners, such as Drano, contain lye or bleach, while industrial brands contain sodium hydroxide. This chemical, if touched or inhaled, can cause severe health problems or death.

Many homeowners make the mistake of repeatedly using drain cleaner, which will cause pipe damage.

The chronic use of drain cleaner will eventually weaken a pipe and cause it to leak or burst. Do not use drain cleaner on toilets and washing machine drain pipes.

Try using a natural drain cleaner, a hang auger (a tool with a twisted end) or a drain snake (which can be rented from home improvement centers). Remember, be careful when handling and using drain cleaner.

Major plumbing work always requires a professional. Three common mistakes are improper installation of traps and vents, mismatching the pipes and improper use of drain cleaner.

These plumbing errors will cause leaks, damage and cost money. Avoid these problems through proper education and utilizing a plumber.

Don’t get mixed up in a serious plumbing issue in your Naperville home. Call Jim Wagner Plumbing, Inc. at (630) 577-9241 today, and have the professionals clean up that mess.