Do you suspect a water leak in Sydney home of yours and are you thinking of fixing it yourself? DIY plumbing seems like an easy enough job—replacing sink faucet, pipe relining sydney, replacing flexi pipes, unclogging drains, replacing shower heads and tap washers.
But before you start your DIY project, it’s important to know what kind of job you’re taking on, how to avoid common mistakes and who to call when you find you need to call a professional. Keep in mind, these everyday tasks, whist they may seem simple, calling a professional plumber gives you the peace of mind that you have the job completed quickly and most importantly, correctly.
Some common mistakes people face are:
1. Inadequate preparation
As with any project, you have to be well prepared before you start disassembling your pipes. Make sure you have all the tools you need, or you’ll likely find yourself making a few trips back and forth to the hardware store.
Remember to turn off your water line. It may sounds like common sense, but you’d be surprised by how frequent DIYers forget this all important step, and you don’t want to risk expensive damages to your home.
Clean before working. Remove debris and other items that may cause blockages in the pipes.
Be prepared for a bigger project. For example, if you’re faced with a broken drain pipe, this may lead to discovering other broken plumbing that may need replacing. They may have weakened over time due to extended use. Therefore, it may be more cost-effective to replace the whole sys-tem now than to break it into multiple tasks later.
Rest assured, your local Sydney plumber Wild Water Plumbing, will be able to provide you with a quote to complete this job if you find it is a mammoth task to take on.
2. Buying the wrong items
Before you buy, be sure to measure first. For example, you need to be mindful on how big your toilet is, or perhaps how long your faucet has to be to avoid touching the sink every time you wash your hands.
For the different plumbing tasks, there are many different materials available and all can vary in size. Be sure to do your research to know which products you need for the task you are preparing to embark on.
Do you have an older plumbing system? It is worth mentioning that modern plumbing products may not fit the older pipes and fittings. If you find this is a problem you are faced with, give Wild Water Plumbing a call, as this means you have a bigger task at hand.
Be sure you buy the right tools. Don’t “make do” with what you have at home. It can seem more affordable, but if they cause damage because they’re not designed for that job, then you may be faced with unnecessary repairs which will cost you more.
3. Cutting corners
Shortcuts can cost you down the track, so be sure to take note of the details.
Here are some examples:
- When fixing pipes, you need to be careful how firmly you tighten them. Too loose and you will discover more leaks. Too tight can damage your pipes.
- Did you know there is the proper usage for something as simple as teflon tape—what side to use, whether to apply it clockwise, how much to use etc.
- If you’re faced with what seems like never-ending clogged drains, don’t reach for the drain cleaner each time—too much use of these chemicals can damage your pipes.
If you want the peace of mind just knowing that your plumbing is properly installed in your home, then it’s best to hire a professional Sydney plumber. Wild Water Plumbing can come to your home in Sydney to quickly solve your blocked drains, rising dampness Sydney and all your plumbing problems. Call us on 0405 692 151 for your professionally completed plumbing project.