Common Plumbing Mistakes New Homeowners Make
New homeowners often experience rookie plumbing blunders. It could cost hundreds of dollars (or worse) later. Therefore, new homeowners must know their common plumbing mistakes. It will save them money, effort, and time.
Hence, I’ll review some common plumbing mistakes new homeowners tend to make. It will help you avoid such costly mistakes and keep the plumbing system running.
8 Common Plumbing Mistakes New Homeowners Make:
As a new homeowner, it’s always exciting to use the different facilities in the home. But, you must act responsibly in handling everything. Regarding this, plumbing maintenance is crucial, and often many people make mistakes.
So, we listed the problems that homeowners must address with their plumbing systems.
Ignoring Signs of Plumbing Problems
Many new homeowners need to pay more attention to signs of plumbing problems. They either think they can fix it themselves, or it will disappear. Unfortunately, this can lead to costly repairs and damage in the long run.
Consider warning signs like a foul smell or water pooling around the sink. It often indicates plumbing issues like overflowing drains or clogged pipes. It’s best to call a professional plumber to diagnose and fix the problem quickly.
Using the Wrong Tools or Materials
Many homeowners often use the wrong tools or materials for plumbing fixes. For instance, you shouldn’t use vice grips to turn off the water supply. Instead, use a wrench that fits the size and shape of the valve you’re dealing with.
Likewise, many assume that all screws and bolts used in plumbing projects are standard-sized. That’s not true, either. These screws and bolts come in various sizes, so you must choose them accordingly.
Overlooking Maintenance and Cleaning Tasks
It’s easy to forget that plumbing requires maintenance and cleaning tasks too. Yet, overlooking this can be a costly mistake! If your pipes and fixtures aren’t cleaned and maintained regularly, it can lead to bigger issues. There may be clogs, pipe bursts, and water damage.
So, what can you do?
The solution is relatively easy. Once in a while, run a thorough inspection of the plumbing system. Then, perform the necessary maintenance for the needed plumbing portions.
Improperly Disposing of Waste
Improperly disposing trash will only create a nuisance and mess in your home. Also, it can cause plumbing problems. Typical mishandled waste disposal includes not cleaning the kitchen sink properly. You may forget to remove debris from the sink.
Many homeowners will even dump litter in the toilet. Others often forget to remove soap residue from the washroom and sink.
Garbage Disposal Misuse:
Garbage disposals like fats and oils will clog pipes or solidify in your sewer line. Also, coffee grounds accumulate in pipes over time and cause clogs. Unfortunately, most homeowners are unaware of it.
They will even put fibrous materials such as fruit peels, dental floss, and paper towels into the drain; Lastly, pouring the grease into your disposal will cling to any food particles left in the pipes. It will help form sludge on pipe walls, eventually blocking vital sewage flow.
Litter dumping in the toilet
Don’t get us wrong; you can put paper and small solid objects in your toilet. Just be sure not to flush them. Instead of flushing it away, put it in the bin.
Dumping litter down the toilet isn’t smart, either. With it, the pipes can get clogged from all those bits of paper and objects. As you continue dumping litter in the toilet, it might lead to more significant problems. So, you must be aware of it.
Avoiding signs of clogged pipes:
Most homeowners don’t know the signs of clogged drainage. It’s even more acute with new homeowners. So, here’s a list to help you out with it.
- Sluggish draining,
- Strange noises coming from your pipes
- Foul odors emanating from your bathroom or kitchen sink
These are all signs that you have a clog. Getting ahead of potential clogging issues by understanding its signs is critical to avoiding plumbing problems. You mustn’t take chances with clogged toilets and broken water heaters.
Performing Unpermitted Work
You may think you can fix that leaky pipe yourself, but there are better ideas than that. DIY plumbing projects often cause more trouble than solve it. When the issue is not resolved, it may cost you much more in the long run.
At worst, performing unpermitted work means you may not qualify for home insurance. Your locality may not have permission for specific plumbing DIY tasks. So, it might cause further problems.
Conclusion
Fixing plumbing issues isn’t something you should take lightly. Whether you’re a new homeowner or a seasoned vet, it’s essential to know the common plumbing mistakes. New homeowners should be especially conscious of basic plumbing tasks. It helps them ensure their appliances are correctly installed.
Also, they should check if the pipes are correctly fitted. Finally, they must ensure that the plumbing system is functioning properly. In a nutshell, being aware of common plumbing mistakes and taking preventative measures will make all the difference.
