4 Major Plumbing Mistakes Homeowners Make

Many homeowners try to handle plumbing issues themselves, either because they enjoy tinkering around their house or they want to save money. Fixing the problem yourself may solve it temporarily, but can cause more serious plumbing issues in the future.

So here are some plumbing mistakes that many homeowners make that end up damaging their plumbing system in the long run.

Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

Liquid drain cleaners can unclog drains within seconds. Just pouring in some chemical into the sink can drain away all the accumulated water. But what many homeowners don’t know is that using chemical drain cleaners frequently can cause the pipes to become leaky and corroded.

Instead of using drain cleaners for unclogging drains, you can use a plumbing auger or a solution of baking soda and vinegar.

If they don’t work, then consider calling a plumber. A professional plumber can clear clogged drains without using corrosive chemicals that damage your home’s plumbing system.

Forgetting to Shut Off the Water Supply

For fixing water-related plumbing issues like clogged drains or leaky pipes, you must shut off the water supply to your home. Forgetting to do this before starting any plumbing repairs or improvements can cause household floods, gushing water pipes or a terrible mess that can destroy furniture, electronics and other belongings in your home.

So before starting a plumbing project, turn off the shutoff valve to stop the water supply to your home. If you’re not able to find it, then turn off the water supply at the water main.

Connecting Copper and Galvanized Pipes

Many homeowners who handle plumbing repairs themselves don’t know that galvanized pipes cannot be repaired with modern copper pipes. If these two types of pipes come in contact with each other, they start to corrode.

To prevent corrosion, a dielectric union needs to be used. This special joint uses a rubber washer and plastic sleeve to prevent galvanized and copper pipes from touching each other.