Advice for the Determined Homeowner

The plumbing of your home is a valuable and important part of daily life. The average home in Minnesota uses 94 gallons of water a day, and leaks make up a surprising 10% of that total. It’s important to conserve resources and small leaks are just one of the plumbing mistakes that can cost you over time. We understand that as a homeowner, you like to take things into your own hands. Unfortunately, mistakes are easy to make, so here’s a bit of advice for any projects you may attempt.

​The first bit of advice we’d like to share here is knowing the extent of your abilities. If you have ideas or hopes for the future plumbing of your home, do some thorough research of what this project entails before you start anything. A handyman spirit does not a plumber make! If you have questions, you need to ask them. And if you’re dealing with an issue beyond your abilities, we are always here to help.

Contact between the wrong pipes is another big mistake that is seen when DIY plumbers don’t thoroughly research a project. Galvanized pipes and copper pipes do not mix unless they are joined with a dielectric union. This common mistake leads to corrosion, and will require everything be replaced! A dielectric union utilizes a plastic sleeve and rubber washer to place a barrier between the two pipes. 

Improper use of space is a tough issue we have encountered with our customers. Installation projects should be done in a manner that keeps ample space between and surrounding your plumbing. If you are installing cabinets or new pipping in your home be mindful of future repair work or declogging that may need to be done. It is hard to plan for problems that haven’t happened, but keep in mind that clogs are part of the plumbing life!

Pictures last forever. Another bit of advice is that when you get into a project, or attempt to fix a leaky faucet on your own, take photos and notes of your step by step progress. That way, you can backtrack when you have to put things back together. Distractions are a part of life, and it’s likely you could be torn away from a project midway through!

Using the wrong tools is one of the worst mistakes you can make when doing DIY plumbing repairs. If you choose the wrong tools you can damage your pipes, fittings, and fixtures. Pipes can break if you try to use a common wrench instead of an internal pipe wrench, and that’s just one example of how the wrong tool can create a big problem!
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As we mentioned, we understand that restless days can lead to exciting ideas and visions of what your bathroom could be. If you are feeling ambitious and need some guidance, we would love to be a part of your dream! Remember to always get the necessary permits, and to call us if you have any problems!

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