Plumbing is an integral part of any home. From the smallest starter home to the largest mansion, all homes have basic plumbing that needs upkeep to prevent water-related issues. From dripping faucets to burst pipes, plumbing can go wrong in a number of ways. But with proper maintenance, you can avoid common plumbing mistakes and errors in your home.
Too Many Fixtures
Having too many fixtures and low water pressure can be a big issue in your home. If your home has low water pressure, having too many water fixtures can make the problem worse. If your home or area has low water pressure, limit the number of fixtures in your home.
Not Enough Space
Too many homeowners don’t plan out their plumbing properly. If you’re building or renovating your bathroom, take note of the space available and plan out your plumbing and fixtures accordingly. If your bathroom is small or odd-shaped, be realistic on what kind of fixtures you can have there and plan their placement based on their use. Give yourself enough room between plumbing and fixtures to avoid hassles down the line.
Being Too Hard On Your Faucet
A leaking faucet is an annoyance, but don’t make the mistake of trying to force the leak to stop. No matter how hard you try, using force on the faucet handle will not fix the leak; it’ll just break the handle, which is yet another problem. If your faucet is leaking, call in a qualified plumber and take advantage of their relevant knowledge. It’ll cost a little bit, but it’s cheaper than fixing it yourself.
Hard to Reach Clean Outs
When planning out your plumbing with the space you have, remember to make room so you can access clean outs in case of clogs. Too many homeowners don’t give themselves enough room around a clean out, or don’t even have one in the first place, which means they have to tear out pipes if they get clogged. Avoid this problem and give yourself enough space for a clean out.
Down the Drain
A very common plumbing error for many homeowners is sink clogs. This is often the result of letting the wrong material go down the drain. Don’t just assume that most materials will dissolve in water, because it’s much more likely it won’t and you’ll end up with a clog. Be very careful what you allow to go down your drain and you will see many less clogs.
Bad Flushing
Likewise, you don’t want to flush inappropriate material down your toilet either. While the toilet is larger than a sink, it can clog all the same. For the same reasons already covered, be careful what you flush down the toilet. For lesser clogs, a commercial drain cleaner might do the job. But for larger obstructions, you might have to call a plumber, which can get costly real quick. Avoid overflows, clogs, and plumbing costs by not flushing inappropriate material. It’s just that easy.
When Breaking Down is Just Breaking
Ironically, one common plumbing problem is the result of someone trying to fix other plumbing problems. While some people are good at taking things apart and putting them back together, others just aren’t. When it comes to plumbing components, pipes, and fixtures, it’s best to let professionals handle it. Any component that deals with water tends to be more complicated than other fixtures, so let experienced plumbers repair them and save yourself the trouble of accidentally putting them together wrong. Your bathroom and family will thank you.