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There are many reasons why you may opt for DIY plumbing for your Knoxville, TN, home. You may enjoy the feeling you get after successfully resolving a problem in your home without the help of a professional plumber, or maybe you want to save some cash on repairs. Regardless of the task, you may be doing more harm than good.
Seemingly easy-to-do tasks such as replacing kitchen sinks and faucets or repairing dripping taps can lead to future costly repairs if not done well. Some possible risks include damaged drainage systems, malfunctioning toilets, flooded basement, bodily injury, and accidental pipe bursts.
Homeowners often make such mistakes because they lack the knowledge and skills required to deliver a successful job. If you want to keep your pipes and plumbing fixtures in good condition, you should avoid the following plumbing mistakes.
Not Using the Right Tools for the Job
Plumbers do a successful job because they are equipped with the right tools, while DIY enthusiasts use any tool to fix the plumbing issues. Although some tools can be perfect for the job, not all are compatible and may worsen the situation.
For instance, some may use regular adjustable spanners to tighten plumbing fixtures. The spanner may slip off and damage your faucets, leaving them with scratches and noticeable marks.
Using incorrect tools may also deform your pipes, thereby resulting in water flow issues. As a result, you may have excess pressure in the pipes, which can damage them. That’s why it’s crucial to hire a professional for the job.
Flushing More Than Toilet Papers Down Your Toilet
Some homeowners use toilets to dispose of waste, including sanitary pads, facial tissues, diapers, and baby wipes. These items are considered the most common causes of drain clogs in most homes in Knoxville, TN. Some may also flush food waste down their toilets. Apart from tissue paper, you shouldn’t flush toiletries down the drains. Unlike tissue papers, such products may not disintegrate in water.
Diapers and sanitary pads don’t biodegrade easily, and they tend to absorb water, thereby blocking the drainage system. It can also result in backflow issues, which result in severe damages and health issues in your home. Plumbers advise homeowners not to flush such waste down their drains. Instead, they should have disposal bins to put such items.
Over Relying on Drain Cleaners
Whenever homeowners experience drain clogs, the first thing they can think of is drain cleaners to clear their drains. This is a common plumbing mistake because drain cleaners can damage your drain pipes. These chemicals work by processing the food waste and any waste matter obstructing the flow. If you use it more frequently, it can destroy your pipes and may even result in leaks.
Also, if the liquid cleaner fails to clear the clogs, it means that it will remain in the drainage system, and you may have no choice but to call a plumber to clear it. Such corrosive chemicals can cause injuries to you and the plumber. If you experience drain clogs, consider using a snake drain cleaning tool. You should hire a professional for the job.
Not Planning for Cold Weather
Homeowners in Knoxville, TN, often experience cooler temperatures during the winter months. Although the harsh weather conditions may not last for long, they can affect the condition of your pipes. Extremes of cold can cause freezing in water pipes. When this happens, it can result in pressure build-up, which results in cracks or pipe bursts. The problem is usually common in old pipes and those that are in open areas.
You should ask a certified plumbing professional to insulate pipes in the crawl space or near your garage to prepare you for the cold season. You may also consider insulating pipes beneath your basement to ensure maximum safety.
Insulating your pipes may not only protect them from cold weather but also reduce the amount of heat or cold transfer to the surrounding. For this reason, the water in the pipes remains hot as it flows from the after heater to your taps, and cold water remains cold during the summer months.
Using Garbage Disposal as a Trash Can
Garbage disposals are a convenient way to get rid of food waste, but when they fail, they can get messy. These systems can only process specific types of food wastes. Some homeowners wash all sorts of food wastes down their disposals, including eggshells, potato pills, fruit pits, and coffee grounds. The design of the garbage disposal blades may not be in the position to break down hard substances such as bones.
Some of the wastes can also stick on the walls of the system, thus resulting in clogging. They can also damage your garbage disposal, and you may have to incur costly repairs or replacements. If your sink is draining slowly, chances are you have problems with your disposal, and it’s you who is to blame. You should call a plumber to fix your garbage disposal to avoid making other mistakes.
Overtightening Connections
As you all know, it’s normal to tighten plumbing connections such as joints and pipes to keep them watertight. However, DIYers may tighten the joints way too much as they try to avoid possible water leaks. Too much force on the fittings can result in cracking or pipe ruptures.
The issue may not manifest itself right away, but the excessive force may cause your pipes to break with time. If this happens, you can lose significant amounts of water which damages your home. If you experience some leaks after fixing your pipes, you can tighten them a bit harder. You can avoid these issues by having a certified plumber fix your plumbing connections.
Ignoring Small Plumbing Issues
If you notice a plumbing issue, it’s wise if you seek help right away. If ignored, a small problem can translate to a bigger one in no time, and you may have to seek plumbing emergency services.
For instance, if there is a leak in your kitchen tap, you could solve this by taping the leaky area, but a few moments later, you may experience more dripping in your faucets. Therefore, it’s appropriate to call a plumber as soon as you notice some plumbing problems.
Get A Professional Plumber Today!
At My Professional Plumber, we offer professional and reliable plumbing solutions to clients in Knoxville, TN, and the surrounding areas. If you have clogged sinks, backflow issues, or leaking faucets, reach out to our technicians to address your issues. Give us a call.