DIY plumbing repairs are rewarding, but it’s easy to make a minor mistake that floods your entire house and leaves you with three inches of water in the living room. So, the best option is to call Brooklyn plumbing services to tackle the situation when you are facing a plumbing emergency. Meanwhile, here’s some advice on fixing plumbing problems on your own without making things worse.
DIY Plumbing: What NOT to Do
Avoid the following DIY plumbing blunders to protect your plumbing and save money.
Overusing Chemical Products
Chemical drain line cleaners are the most popular clog-clearing instrument. While these products are the easiest to use, they are also the most harmful to your pipes. The strong chemicals in drain line cleaners will eat away at your pipes if used too frequently. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners excessively.
Starting DIY Plumbing without the Right Tools
In addition to having years of expertise and training, professional Brooklyn plumbing services always possess the correct tool for the job. On the other hand, DIY experts frequently begin a project only to find they lack the necessary tools. Therefore, only begin a DIY project after first ensuring you have all the necessary tools.
Taking On Tasks that Should Be Left to Professionals
There’s nothing wrong with troubleshooting little issues that arise around one’s own home. However, it is best to call in a professional when DIY plumbing risks more harm than good. For example, a faulty water heater is not only inconvenient but also a health and safety hazard. Thus it’s best left to a professional. The same is true for leaks and ruptures in water heaters.
Similarly, the sewage line is one of the most extensive and important plumbing parts in any home. As a result, if you ever need sewage line replacement, repair, or unclogging, you should hire a professional plumber. Burst pipes also require immediate professional attention.
If you encounter any of the above issues during a DIY plumbing project, don’t hesitate to contact a 24-hour plumber in Brooklyn, NY.
DIY Plumbing: What to Do
On the bright side, there are things you can do to prevent issues from happening in the first place or at least lessen their impact if they do. For example, if you are up for it, there’s no harm in taking on simple plumbing tasks like draining the pipes or sweating a copper pipe.
Know Your Plumbing Valves
It’s important to know where all the shutdown valves are and what they control before beginning any plumbing project, even if it’s as simple as tightening the toilet seat. In plumbing emergencies, the first thing to do is shut off the valves while you call a 24-hour plumber in Brooklyn, NY.
If the system is installed well, each bathroom will have its own water shutoff. These valves are typically in the cellar, though some may be concealed behind removable panels. Also, make sure you know the location of the main shutoff valve. Often, this is found at the point where the water supply enters the house.
Drain the Pipelines
In many cases, water remains in the pipes after the water has been turned off. So, make sure you drain the lines after turning off the valves to stop the water from doing any additional damage or generating any leaks. It’s simple – turn on every tap in the house and let the water drain out.
Learn Copper Pipe Sweating
The ability to sweat a copper pipe is fundamental to DIY plumbing, and once you try it, you’ll be astounded at how simple it is. It involves heating a copper fitting with a torch until it melts metal solder. The solder is then drawn into the space between the fitting and the pipe, creating a leak-proof seal.
You can get everything from the hardware store, including copper pipe, solder, flux, a torch, and a few short lengths of copper pipe. Your solder joints won’t seem as professional as ones done by Brooklyn plumbing services, but they’ll still do the job. That ought to be sufficient unless you’re a perfectionist.
Call Nationwide Plumbers
Stop searching for the best plumbing repair on your phone. Instead, if you need Brooklyn plumbing services, choose Nationwide Plumbers for the best services at the best rate. Because plumbing emergencies can happen anytime, our helpful and skilled staff is available 24/7 to handle all plumbing-related issues.
Nationwide Plumbers has a solid reputation for quality built over 80 years. Our specialists always adhere to local plumbing codes. So, whether it’s a plumbing inspection or dealing with water damage or sewage cleanup, you can count on our water restoration crew to do the job.
In addition to fixing your plumbing issue, our cleanup crew will also take care of the aftermath by removing any standing water or sewage, disinfecting and deodorizing the damaged areas, and re-sealing any walls we may have opened. Contact us today at 718-748-2727 to get a free estimate.