When it comes to home repairs, it’s always better to leave it to the professionals. Unless you really know what you’re doing and have the time to dedicate to the project, it’s better to hire a plumber or other contractor with experience in your particular area of interest. However, if you find yourself in a situation where you need to do some plumbing repairs at home, you may be wondering if you can handle it. The good news is that many DIY plumbing fixes are relatively simple and straightforward. Nevertheless, there are some common pitfalls that new DIYers should try to avoid if they want to avoid making costly mistakes that could end up costing them more than if they had just hired someone to do the work in the first place.
To help you with this, we’ve compiled a list of common mistakes new DIYers make when doing their own plumbing repairs:
Not accounting for the varying materials and components involved in plumbing repairs
One common mistake new DIYers make is not accounting for the various materials and components involved in plumbing repairs. For example, different pipes have different wall thicknesses, connectors have different sizes, and fittings have different types and sizes. A single mistake in this regard can end up leading to an unfinished, mismatched repair that requires significant time and effort to get right. To avoid this mistake, make sure you have all of your materials in front of you before starting the repair to make sure that they will all fit together as planned. Additionally, it may also be helpful to sketch out the repair plan in advance to make sure you don’t overlook any potential problems.
Failing to properly clean and prepare your plumbing repairs before beginning
Another mistake new DIYers make is failing to properly clean and prepare their plumbing repairs before beginning. This includes cleaning off any grease or other contaminants on your pipes to make sure they don’t interfere with the repair process. It also includes cleaning and preparing the materials you’ll be using, such as cleaning a pipe before using a grease fitting or cleaning a fitting before using a pipe.
Failing to take the time to do a test repair
Another mistake new DIYers make is failing to take the time to do a test repair. This is especially important for complex repairs that involve multiple components, such as replacing a faucet or adding a new sink or another fixture. By doing a test repair, you can make sure that the repair is done properly and that it works as expected before moving on to the full-scale repair. This can also help you avoid unnecessary frustration and wasted time. If you test a repair and realize that it won’t work as planned, you can make adjustments as needed before proceeding.
Not knowing the difference between a repair and a replacement
A final common mistake new DIYers make when doing their own plumbing repairs is not knowing the difference between a repair and a replacement. This can be particularly relevant if you’re attempting to repair a component that is damaged beyond repair, such as a broken pipe. In such cases, a repair may not be possible, but a replacement may be able to get the job done. However, it’s important to make sure that you choose the right approach, as a repair may take longer to complete than a replacement. Additionally, you’ll need to make sure you have the correct parts to perform the repair, as a replacement may require a different type of component.
Summing up
To summarize, there are a number of common mistakes new DIYers make when doing their own plumbing repairs. To avoid these mistakes, make sure you have all of your materials in front of you before starting the repair to make sure that they will all fit together as planned. It may also be helpful to sketch out the repair plan in advance to make sure you don’t overlook any potential problems. Additionally, it’s important to take the time to do a test repair to make sure that the repair is done properly and that it works as expected before moving on to the full-scale repair.