South Windsor Plumbers Share Common DIY Plumbing Mistakes

Yes, it’s October, which means dressing up like a clown can be a fun way to celebrate Halloween. But looking like a clown because you’ve made some DIY plumbing mistakes, well, that’s something any homeowner would like to avoid. To make sure you’re not a clown this October, check out these DIY Plumbing tips to avoid plumbing emergencies.

Drain Cleaners Are Bad News

It’s easy to reach for the drain cleaner when you have a sink with a clog in it. But did you know that drain cleaners often cause more problems than they solve? They do! The reason behind this is how drain cleaners work.

Drain cleaners use toxic chemicals, like bleach and lye, to create a chemical reaction in your pipes. This reaction generates heat and that heat works to dislodge and break down the clog, sending it further down the drain.

But this chemical reaction can also be bad news for your pipes. The heat can cause even PVC pipes to corrode or crack, and everyone can agree that cracked pipes are worse than a clog in a drain. The good news is you can make a drain cleaner at home that’s just as effective as the commercial options.

Boiling water followed by baking soda is the first step. After it sits for a few minutes pour some vinegar down the drain. This will create a much safer chemical reaction that’s just as effective as drain cleaner. If your sink is still clogged after this concoction it may be a sign that you need to use a snake or a plunger to solve your clogged drain.

Never Over Tighten Bolts

Over tightening bolts is a common misstep many DIY plumbers make. People tend to think that a tighter bolt is a safer bolt, or at least more waterproof. But that’s often far from the case.

A bolt needs to be tightened the right amount to function properly. Overtightening a bolt can cause the washer to crack, and a cracked washer can lead to further, or even new, leaks.

And everyone can agree that plumbing leaks are something to be avoided. So the next time you’re tightening a bolt, remember not to go too far.

Plumbing Tape Makes All the Difference

Most DIY plumbers either don’t know about plumbing tape or think it’s not worth the time and effort. But plumbing tape, sometimes called Teflon tape, is a gem of a tool and can make a world of difference on DIY plumbing jobs.

Plumbing tape wraps around the threads of pipes that join together. The tape works to create a stronger waterproof barrier, while also making the join smoother to fit together.

It’s an easy, cheap way to prevent small leaks. You’ll often see plumbing tape used when attaching a showerhead to a shower, or a hose to an outdoor faucet. You’ll be amazed at how it can help stop even the tiniest leak.

If you’re ready to give plumbing tape a try there’s a few things you need to know: make sure you get the kind that works for the job you’re doing (there’s a different type of tape for gas joins) and remember to wrap the threads in the opposite direction of how the pipe will turn into the fitting.

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