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A burst pipe or clogged privy can be a real headache . We depend on the plumbing in our family to function seamlessly so we have uncontaminating piddle to use ; cold and raging water running throughout the house in each shower , tub , faucet , and water - using appliance ; and the ability to remove wastewater .
But when plumbing is n’t working , the problem needs fix justly away . Many householder render to address plumbing upshot on their own , but that is n’t always a good mind . “ While it ’s capital that homeowners are interested in tackling some plumbing tasks themselves , it ’s important to jazz where to draw the line , ” discourage Al Fagundes , founder and CEO ofA. Fagundes Plumbing and Heating Inc. , with locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire . “ I ’ve see my plowshare of DIY mishaps over the twelvemonth , and some can be costly , ” he tell .
Photo: Guido Mieth/Moment via Getty Images
We spoke with Fagundes and other professional pipe fitter to take what they think are the three biggestDIY plumbingmistakes they ’ve seen and been asked to deposit . They also offered tips to serve homeowners determine which plumbing repairs are typically suitable for DIYers and which are best left to the professional .
1. Over-Tightening Connections
A vulgar misapprehension that DIYers make is tightening pipe fittings , supply origin , faucet connexion , and toilet bolt of lightning too much , which can lead in crack pipes or destroying washers . “ Many DIYers think that if a minuscule tightening is good , then more is better , but this is often not the case , ” says Fagundes . “ Over - tightening piping fitting , specially plastic ones , can in reality damage them , leading to cracks and leaks . It can also strip screw thread on metallic element fittings , make them unusable . ” This can ultimately cause making water that could have well been forfend .
The destination should be to create a seal , not to crush the pipes . Fagundes offers a good convention of quarter round : tighten fittings until they ’re snug and then give them just a little scrap more — normally no more than a twenty-five percent turn . Use Teflon tapeor tube dope on wander connections to help make a Navy SEAL and prevent clutch .
2. Incorrect Use of Sealants and Tape
Another publication appears when DIYers use epithelial duct tape or epoxy fillers falsely . Danny Pen , a bathymetry and HVAC contractile organ atNew Era Plumbing & HVACin Dracut , Massachusetts , often sees inexperient homeowner wrapping Teflon tape backward or using too much of it . “ In both of these cases , it cause leaks instead of prevent them , ” he says . Pen suggests wrapping the tapeline clockwise two to three time so it tightens with the fitting .
Understandingwhich sealer to usefor which program is also decisive . Teflon tape is great for thread link , but it ’s not appropriate for all bathymetry situations , says Fagundes . “ For deterrent example , it should n’t be used on compression fittings , ” he explains . “ Pipe pot ( tobacco pipe joint chemical compound ) is another sealant that ’s used on threaded connections , often in conjunction with Teflon tape . ” Also , using too much sealer can be just as speculative as using too little . surplus sealer can squeeze out and make obstructions in the pipes .
Finally , Alex Atkinson , plumber and HVAC technician withSuper Brothersin San Jose and Sacramento , California , has walked into homes where residents have attempted to restore a explosion or leaking pipe with temporary solutions like duct magnetic tape or DIY epoxy glue fixes . “ While these might hold for a short meter , they ’re not permanent solution and can lead to costly H2O legal injury if they flunk , ” he say . The temporary patches can well give out , require you to replace entire sections of dry wall or flooring due to piddle damage .
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3. Forgetting to Turn Off the Water Supply and Drain Pipes
Another big computer error is when homeowners forget to work off the H2O supply and then drain pipes before they attempt to define a plumbery issue . “ It ’s amazing how often DIYers forget ( or do n’t experience how ) to turn off the water supplying before get down a plumbing haunt , ” say Fagundes . “ This can lead to a real mess — water spray everywhere , potential water system hurt to walls and floor , and even the risk of electrical shock if water come into contact with electrical wiring . ”
How can you avoid a catastrophe ? Before tackling any plumbery projection , be certain to alwayslocate the main water supply shutoff valvefor your home plate and turn it off . For smaller mending , like replacing a spigot , you might be able to use theshut - off valvesunder the cesspool or toilet .
It ’s also vital to debilitate the pipes before begin any work on them , says Pen . “ This means when they start up unscrewing a link , water still under pressure sensation sprayer everywhere , leading to soaked wallboard , flooded cabinets , and a mess they did n’t see coming . ” Always give a faucet downstream to relieve pressure before doing anything with your plumbing .
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Plumbing Repairs Most Suitable for DIYers
When it fall to find which plumbery resort are DIY - well-disposed and which take a professional , count complexity , risk , and tools , say Atkinson . Make indisputable you have theproper bathymetry tools , including a can plumber’s helper , plumber ’s tape , mini sink and drain diver , and waste pipe - cleansing plumber’s snake . You ’ll also want to find the right instruction for each case of mending that you may follow easy .
Here are some square , quick plumbing repairsthat can typically be handled as DIY project :
When It’s Time to Call a Pro
On the other script , sometimes it ’s serious to engage a professional plumber to avoid DIY plumbing mistakes and ensure the job is done well . The typicalcost lay out to rent a plumberis between $ 180 and $ 489 , with a national average cost of $ 331 . monetary value will vary calculate on the pipe fitter ’s expertness level , type of service , job complexity , supplying , lying-in , and geographic location .
Anything that include cutting into tobacco pipe , act upon with pressurized water lines , or taking forethought of sewage should be leave to a licensed pipe fitter , says Atkinson . “ If a mistake has the potential to stimulate significant pee damage , mold growth , or safety jeopardy , it ’s best to institute in an expert who has the training and equipment to handle the job properly , ” he says .
A good pattern to play along , fit in to Fagundes , is : “ if it ’s wet , call a pro . ” If the job involves a significant amount of water supply or if you ’re dish out with drain assembly line or sewer lines , it ’s in the main good to call a professional pipe fitter . “ urine hurt can be very expensive to repair , so it ’s not worth the risk , ” he says .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
If you ’re not trusted if a plumbing repair is something you may handle yourself , it ’s always best to mistake on the side of precaution and call a commissioned pipe fitter . Here are some of the more complex plumbing job that often require a pro :
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