Common Homeowner Plumbing Mistakes

Apr 20, 2018

As a professional plumbing service in the Greater Phoenix and West Valley communities for over 17 years, we have seen it all. Homeowners call us for all sorts of problems. Regardless, one of the most common causes for large plumbing repair costs is the homeowner themselves. A seemingly simple repair or upgrade can become a major cost without the proper knowledge, skills, and tools. In today’s article, we are going to share some of the more common do-it-yourself plumbing blunders. By avoiding these mistakes, you can save yourself a lot of time, money, and heartburn.

Those plumbing YouTube videos are everywhere and easy to find. Moreover, the professionals in those videos can make plumbing repairs and upgrades look very easy. One story that immediately comes to mind is a homeowner who attempted to repair a dripping kitchen faucet. The video and instructions on the hardware store’s website made it all look very easy; buy the repair kit, turn the water off, replace the internal parts, turn the water back on. But, the faucet drip turned into a steady flow that would not turn off. When it comes to plumbing difficulties, trying to fix something small can cause you to flood your home.

The 3 Most Common Plumbing Mistakes

  1. Making repairs without the proper skills or tools – There are many plumbing repairs that a homeowner can accomplish on their own, like replacing a showerhead. Yet, many seemingly simple repairs and improvements require special skills and tools. Avoid tasks if you don’t have the abilities for the job.
  2. Not turning off the water– Step one of any plumbing project is turning the water off. If you forget to turn the water off, there is the potential for creating a major flood in your home. While there are several locations to turn off the water, most do not require special tools.
  3. Using mismatched pipes – When a homeowner discovers a small leak from a pipe, many will try to fix it on their own. But, DIYers will often choose the wrong pipe size or type. While it is possible for some initial success, choosing the wrong connectors, sealants, or pipe materials will quickly cause a larger leak. An initial tight fit does not mean the repair will hold.

What haven’t we covered yet that is important to you? If you would like to talk more about plumbing mistakes, or a related topic, please contact us at The Plumber Guy.