It’s essential for homeowners to keep their plumbing systems well maintained. Problems with your plumbing can lead to leaks, home damage, drainage problems, and issues. Many plumbing problems begin with simple errors that homeowners and their guests make. At Elite Plumbing Services in Palm Harbor, we’re available 24 hours a day to help with plumbing problems. We also try to educate our clients about issues that affect their plumbing. Here are four common plumbing mistakes homeowners make that lead to repairs later.
Overtightening Connections
It’s true that your average DIY homeowner can handle some plumbing repairs on their own. However, small mistakes when finishing a repair can cause problems for pipes and fixtures later. A common error homeowners make when fixing their own plumping is overtightening parts such as supply tubes, pipes, fittings, and toilet bolts. The primary concern is that you may crack a fitting by tightening it too hard on a piece such as a galvanized or black pipe. Even if the crack doesn’t happen immediately, weakening the part by applying too much force can lead to leaks or breaks after a few weeks.
Similarly, overtightening bolts that hold down your toilet or fixtures can lead to problems. It’s essential to make sure your fixtures are firmly attached to the sink or the flooring, but it doesn’t take that much torque to seal a supply tube. You risk damaging or breaking the porcelain if you overtighten toilet closet bolts at the floor or between the bowl and tank.
Fixture Issues
Many homeowners want to improve their home by adding new fixtures or installing equipment that draws directly from the water supply (e.g., adding an automatic icemaker). Changing or adding fixtures to a house can also lead to problems later. Supplying water throughout a property requires a lot of water pressure. Having too many fixtures installed can cause low water pressure at faucets and showers around your home. This problem can be exacerbated in places where the water pressure is typically weak at specific times of the day. If you’re having trouble with water pressure in your home, Elite Plumbing Services can diagnose and address your plumbing issues.
Flushing the Unflushable
Toilet problems are the worst for homeowners, and they’re often the result of someone flushing something that shouldn’t be flushed. Parents with small children should watch them if they’re playing with toys near the bathroom. Besides clogging the pipes with loads of toilet paper, kids often try to see if they can flush toys or clothes. These clogs can’t be cleared with a standard plunger and will require a plumber to clear the pipes. Keep in mind that the only paper that should be flushed is toilet paper. Bathroom tissue is designed to degrade quickly after it’s been flushed. Flushing items like paper towels and baby wipes will clog your toilets over time.
Overusing Liquid Drain Cleaner
Plumbing repairs take time and money; so it’s understandable that people would try an easy and cheap solution like liquid drain cleaners. These products can work but should be used sparingly. Liquid drain cleaner can cause more problems than it solves. These products use corrosive chemicals to eat away at something that’s clogging a drain. These chemicals can damage your pipes and p-traps, which can lead to leaks. Liquid drain cleaner can also destroy the rubber gasket used in “mission” style couplings, causing future leaks.
When it comes to plumbing repairs, it’s better in the long run to have issues handled by a professional. At Elite Plumbing Services, we can diagnose any problem with your plumbing as well as identify potential issues that could lead to trouble later. Having a professional plumber take care of the problem correctly the first time, you will save money on future repairs and can get back to enjoying your home more quickly. If you need plumbing services in Palm Harbor, contact Elite Plumbing Services to schedule an appointment.