Do-it-yourself plumbing is generally attractive to homeowners because it can save money. However, when it comes to plumbing, the potential for property damage or even injury is a real possibility for homeowners who may not have any experience with plumbing. If you are certain about making repairs yourself, however, keep these five rules in mind so you can solve your plumbing issue safely.
One – DIY Plumbing Has The Potential For Disaster
Every job needs to be treated as if it is important and can potentially backfire. Approach every job this way and you can minimize the chances of running into problems.
Two – Locate Your Shutoff Valves Before You Start
Sure, this sounds like a no-brainer, but not knowing where your shutoff valves are before you get started has the biggest potential for turning into a major disaster. Imagine you are making a simple repair and suddenly water gushes from an old fixture that suddenly went out. You’ve got water all over the place and could be looking at thousands of dollars of damage. If you can’t get to that shutoff valve quickly because you don’t know where it is, you could be looking at the difference between mopping up some water or replacing your entire floor.
Three – Safety First!
Even if you are going the DIY route to save money, keep safety at the forefront of your mind. No amount of money is worth saving if someone is seriously injured. Get help from a friend, or at least have someone there watching. This is often an overlooked part of DIY plumbing, but it can be helpful in case you run into problems and need immediate help. Also, make sure you have a well-stocked first-aid kit.
Four – Use The Proper Tools
This certainly holds true for any DIY project around your home, but it is particularly important when it comes to plumbing. If you end up using the wrong wrench, you might end up with stripped threads and costly repairs to replace them. It’s also worth mentioning to ensure you have the proper tools ready to go before you even get started on the repair.
Five – Know What You Are Doing
Don’t undertake a project before you’ve done your research. Look online for websites and videos that give clear instructions on how to make the repair before you get started. As you research, you may discover that the repair is beyond your skill set and you could ultimately make the decision to call in a professional. Be open to that possibility.
Don’t fall victim to a DIY plumbing disaster. Follow these rules and you can stay safe and avoid unnecessary damage to your property. If you do happen to encounter DIY disaster, or would prefer to have someone else take the risk – Call the Naples plumbing experts at BHS at (239) 291-0860 !
