People rely on licensed plumbers to take care of plumbing installations and repairs. And yet, ever since the DIY phenomenon started some years back, more and more homeowners are apparently learning how to perform simple repairs. DIY plumbing indeed has its advantages, with cutting down on labor or service cost being on top of the list. However, we cannot disregard the fact that professional plumbers have undergone lots of training and acquired the license to offer their trade services. That’s because they are properly trained and they have the skills to do so. They will not only guarantee the success of the repair but also avoid inflicting more damage on your property. But if you are so insistent on learning the ropes of plumbing, here are some tips you should take by heart.
1. You have to know where your shut-offs are. Why? Because you can’t just tinker on your plumbing pipes and fixtures without first turning off your water supply. You surely do not want to have your belongings damaged due to flooding, do you? Most shut off valves are located right under the sink or toilet. Some are hidden behind wall panels. The main one should be just at that area where water comes into your house.
2. If you are really determined to install your own plumbing, you should at least know how to sweat copper pipe. It’s one of the most frequently used skills that you might be asked to showcase when taking care of installations and repairs at home. If you have no idea what it is, sweating copper pipes means connecting them together with the use of tools such as a torch, solder and flux.
3. Get to know your home’s plumbing diagram. Now this is obvious. If you really want to be good at handling plumbing emergencies at home, then you should know what is connected to what. You should also be aware of the cold and hot water lines so that you won’t interchange them. It will also be wise to find out which drains are connected to what fixtures to be able to identify the exact pipe that should be checked first in case of a nasty leak.
4. Just as a mechanic has his own tools, you should also take time to complete your toolkit. It doesn’t really have to contain hundreds of supplies and equipment. As someone who’s starting out in the DIY world, you can simply fill it with your saw, wrench, pliers, screwdriver, plumber’s tape, putty, washers, o-rings, nuts, screws, auger or plumbing snake, tubing cutter, tile cutter and of course, let us not forget about good old plunger!
5. Always wear protective clothing when dealing with wastes. As a DIY plumber, you’ll face dirty kitchen sink pipes or clogged toilets. Protect yourself from harmful bacteria that can compromise your health. Wear protective gloves or a pair of goggles whenever you work on these areas.
We hope that you enjoyed our blog about DIY plumbing advice. Should you need professional plumbers to help you, just find a local Sunrise FL plumbing company. Plumbers 911 Florida delivers exceptional and yet affordable plumbing services in Sunrise FL including kitchen remodeling, septic tank care, gas system installation, water heater service and many more! Call us now at 305-662-0668 (Miami-Dade County FL), 954-468-0512 (Broward County FL), 561-327-6287 (Palm Beach County FL)!
Learn why Plumbers 911 is the best go-to crew you can rely on in case of plumbing emergencies. Watch our video now.
Please wash your hands frequently. Washing with soap and water for twenty seconds is the preferred method, however when water is not available, please use an alcohol based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
Practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from another person.