Sometimes the do-it-yourself plumbing stories make us want to cry. We don’t mean using the hair removal tool or plunger. We’re talking about those folks who grab a wrench or a wax ring and decide a Youtube video will help them save a little money. So, today we’re talking about some of the problems encountered in do it yourself plumbing projects.
Wrong parts
Car parts and plumbing parts are notoriously hard to match, except that getting the right car part is easier. There are those who have stories about going back to the hardware store six times to get the right parts for a job they thought was going to be easy. After the first half dozen trips, people are tired, discouraged, and sometimes snapping at one another.
Leaking and flooding
During a DIY repair, problems can become worse. Forgotten Teflon tape or a gasket, tightening a part too tightly until it breaks, not tightening a plumbing part enough can cause leaking or even a flood. The wrong tools will also tank a DIY project.
We’ve seen all of these situations, and sometimes it’s merely an inconvenience and other times it’s a disaster. Many people have a proficiency for plumbing, even without training, a license, or a well-appointed toolkit. But, those people aren’t the average person. Those are the people who make money posting videos showing people how easy it is. As one colleague noted, “It ain't as easy as it looks.”
Chemical intervention
Sometimes, when a drain becomes slow or clogged, a homeowner will do what their parents did, or what they see someone do on tv: they’ll pour a chemical drain cleaner down the troubled line. We beg you not to do this. Drain cleaners are caustic acids and can do severe but invisible damage to your pipes. If you’re on a septic tank, the chemicals can leach into the groundwater. If you are on a wastewater disposal system, you’re sending a harsh chemical, one that can create toxic fumes, into the water reclamation system.
If the clog is caused by a damaged pipe or a tree root invasion, chemical drain cleaners will get to that point and stop. The chemical is a hazard to the surrounding plants.
An alternate solution
The best tool for plumbing backups is plungers. If you have another problem, unless it’s something easy that you’ve done before, you can call us instead. We can be out there to fix it in a jiffy. Sure, you’ll get a bill. Know what you won’t get? Tremendous frustration, a bad repair, a nasty flood, or an environmental issue. Having a pro will get the job done right and bring you great peace of mind.
If none of this has convinced you and you’re determined to forge ahead, you can call us if the DIY plumbing adventure goes south. We get a lot of that, too, which is how this post came to be. We don’t judge and we’re always here to help.
If you need an honest, dependable plumber in the Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe or Chandler area, call Jimmy at 480-757-1273.
