10 Common Plumbing Mistakes to Avoid

Plumbing involves many of the essential systems in your home including, water, waste, heat, air conditioning, drainage, and irrigation. What happens when you’re met with an issue that shuts one (or many) of these systems down? While we always recommend calling a professional at Avis Plumbing there are precautions that can be taken to avoid costly plumbing mistakes.

While we rely on our plumbing to function consistently, sometimes we do not treat it that way. Often, some of the biggest and most costly problems are self-inflicted, avoidable issues. While it is often hard to admit, the problem often starts with you. However, licensed plumbers like those at Avis Plumbing and Air Conditioning can provide tips and tricks to help you avoid ten of the biggest plumbing mistakes.

Not Enough Space For Fixtures

When designing your space or fixing a plumbing issue, comfort and usability are not always the first things that come to mind…but they definitely should be. Do you ever find yourself in a situation where it is almost impossible for someone to wash their hands while someone else is showering? More than likely it is because too many fixtures were crammed into such a small space. Keep distance between appliances and fixtures so that you are able to comfortably use them.           

Too Many Fixtures

In highly populated residential areas, many homeowners and residents often experience issues with low water pressure. If you find that you are experiencing issues with low water pressure in your home then it could be as simple as having too many fixtures in your house. When your mains have to work harder and spread out further it will affect the pressure. Limiting the fixtures can create a cleaner and more efficiently running system.

Don’t Break the Faucet

A leaky faucet can cost a lot of money if not addressed, but it needs to be done so carefully. While it is always a recommendation to call the professionals at Avis Plumbing, it does seem like an easy fix to pull, push, or tighten the faucet. The problem is that doing so could just add to the issue. Pushing or pulling too hard on the faucet can cause it to break and can lead to larger problems. Additionally, the leak may seem fixed if you have tightened the faucet but the problem that it may be too tight remains. It is easy to strip the plastic or chrome on the plumbing parts. Over-tightening could create an even bigger issue. Don’t let the small leak turn into a large, costly problem.

Watch What You’re Flushing

It seems like common sense to keep large items out of the toilet, such as your children’s toys or general garbage; however, there are many things that are often flushed without a second thought that they are still very damaging to your plumbing system. Some of the most commonly flushed items that should be avoided are wipes (even if they say flushable), feminine hygiene products, hair, and cotton swabs. Just because it has flushed once does not mean it will continue to flush, or that it is not causing a larger issue that has not appeared yet. To maintain a functioning plumbing system stick to waste and toilet paper.

Putting Garbage Down the Drain

Just like the toilet, the kitchen drain is not a disposal for all waste. While strainers are designed to keep many of the problem materials out of the kitchen drain, it is not a foolproof system. Many things like oil, grease, and fat should be kept away from your drainage system but it is completely normal for some of those harmful materials to make their way through. While grease and oil are extremely common drain issues there are products like butter, chocolate, and materials that are fatty or binding liquids that will also cause build up issues. Consider pouring boiling water down the drain to de-gunk the materials that have made their way down from time to time. And just like your toilet, hair can be a big issue. When you don’t give things a chance to accumulate you can really save money and maintenance in the long run. Remember it is a garbage disposal and not a garbage can!

Turn the Water Off

Seems simple, right? Unfortunately, a lot of DIYers will forget that they not only need to turn off the valve to the faucet being addressed, but the main valve for the whole home’s water supply should also be shut off. When a pipe bursts with the main valve on, it can cause severe flooding and can ruin many possessions in your home until a plumber is able to arrive. The main line should be clearly marked, but if you are not able to find it when it matters most it could become a costly mistake both financially and personally. If you’re unsure of how to turn off the main line, the best option is to call an experienced plumber and have them do a system check. Our professional and courteous plumbers at Avis Plumbing and Air Conditioning will walk you through the process and give you tips and tricks for future maintenance.

Remember How to Reassemble

You’ve seen (or maybe you’ve been) one of those DIYers that can assemble something without the directions. But even the best-laid plans can go awry if someone is not paying attention. When cleaning, checking, or addressing any kind of plumbing issue within your home it is essential to remember how to reassemble any components that you may take apart. At Avis Plumbing, we suggest taking a before picture to match the photo when reassembling the pieces. Because you definitely don’t want to reassemble your plumbing components and have extra or missing pieces.

You Can Use Too Much Drain Cleaner

There are many helpful over-the-counter drain cleaners that are a great quick fix to small issues. If you do find yourself having to overuse these products or using them more frequently then recommended that could be a sign of a much larger issue. Many of the products that are designed to help clear out your drains have many chemicals, and their corrosive qualities can cause long-term damage to your plumbing and septic systems if they are overused. There are many natural solutions that can be used for maintenance, but if you are needing to clear a clog too often then it is best to call a professional at Avis Plumbing.

Don’t Mismatch Your Pipes

There are many downfalls to installing pipes that are mismatched. If you’re unfamiliar with the type of pipes that you have then you could find yourself with a much bigger problem very quickly. Corrosion and leaks are some of the most common problems that can come from simply not matching the metals that your plumbing system is using. Experience plumbers deal with these pipes every single day so before you tackle the problem yourself consider calling an expert.

Call the Professionals

When it comes to plumbing problems it is always best to trust the professionals. At Avis Plumbing and Air Conditioning, we are licensed and professional. We strive to put our customers first with the best service. We offer a variety of services including specialized services for both commercial and residential plumbing issues. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We know that you can’t plan for these issues, so we are there when you need us!

Experienced Plumbers in Southwest Florida

Call the Cape Coral pros at Avis Plumbing and Air Conditioning at (239) 542-4421. Our professional technicians can address issues caused by common plumbing mistakes and give you tips and tricks to keep everything running well in the Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and Naples areas.

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