Sometimes, plumbing mistakes made during a simple repair can cause significant damage to your home. Few things can be as gratifying as replacing a kitchen faucet yourself but most times it pays to call in a professional plumber. Inexperience can lead to additional repairs and/or damage that can end up costing you twice as much moving forward. Below you will find five of the most common plumbing mistakes to avoid during simple plumbing repairs around your home.
Forgetting to Turn Off the Water
Okay, this first one sounds silly but is quite common among do-it-yourself enthusiasts. Failing to turn off the main water supply before attempting a repair can leave you frantically doing your best Tom Thumb impression. Not only should you turn off the water shut-off valves under the sink or behind a toilet before starting a project, you should also locate the main supply valve and have the necessary tools on hand required to shut it off in the event of an emergency.
Panning the P-trap
A clogged sink drain is a project most of us have tackled at least once in our lifetimes. The repair is simple enough, loosen and remove the P-trap to clear the blockage. However, failing to place a bucket or pan underneath the P-trap before removing it can cause additional stress and damage as all of the standing sink/pipe water rushes into your kitchen cabinet.
Ice Maker Connections
Home improvement centers supply many plumbing supplies for the home improvement enthusiast. Icemaker connection kits are one of the most popular items. Although not a complicated process, two mistakes a homeowner can make could lead to additional repairs and expense. The first is failing to secure the water inlet fitting on the refrigerator with a wrench before tightening the supply line. This can damage or loosen the fitting leading replacement or a slow, but steady drip. In addition, failing to inspect the lines after initial installation to verify all fittings are tight and leak free can lead to severe flooring, baseboard and drywall damage if a drip develops and goes unnoticed.
Not Flushing the Supply Lines
Installing a new faucet can be a simple project most moderately skilled homeowners can handle. However, many fail to realize that you must flush the supply lines before attaching them to the new faucet. Failing to do so could cause rust, scale and other debris in the lines and pipes that become dislodged during the changeover to clog the faucet body and/or aerators permanently.
Crossing the Faucet Supply Lines
A common plumbing mistake made by DIY enthusiasts is crossing the water supply lines when repairing or installing a new faucet. Although it will not damage the faucet, it can lead to scalding if not corrected as unsuspecting users mistakenly turn on the hot water.
Calling a professional plumber can help to avoid those simple plumbing mistakes listed above. For answers to your questions, contact The Pink Plumber today.
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