The Major Downfalls of DIY Plumbing Projects In Your Mississauga Home

If you’re trying to save money, it may be tempting to head to YouTube for DIY plumbing tips and DIY repairs. A simple task like a faucet leak can be repaired with some basic plumbing tools, right? Or if there is a clogged drain in your kitchen sink, a simple drain snake should remove it, right?

While DIY is a great chance to explore your creativity, try something new, and maybe even develop a hobby out of it, certain things should be left to licensed professionals. And while do-it-yourself plumbing is alluring, your lack of inexperience will cause costly mistakes to your plumbing system and perhaps even your health. Plumbing issues should be handled by an experienced, licensed plumber.

This blog will guide you through the major downfalls of DIY plumbing. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Mississauga is available to you 24/7 for emergency repairs, so there is no need to perform DIY plumbing repairs when an issue strikes. From some of the most common DIY plumbing mistakes to how to fix those DIY plumbing mistakes, our Mississauga plumbers will guide you through it all.

Common DIY Plumbing Mistakes, And Why You Should Avoid Them

Whether you realize it or not, hiring a professional for a plumbing repair is much more effective than attempting a DIY plumbing task. Experienced plumbers have earned their title and place in the trade with years of experience and training, and a comprehensive understanding of plumbing fixtures and systems. Clogs in sinks may take you a whole day to deal with as you try to identify who, what, where, and why it's there. On the other hand, it can take a plumber less than two hours to identify the source of the clog, and provide an effective solution to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Plumbers have a sort of ritual they follow when performing a plumbing service: inspection, diagnosis, then solution. However, without experience, you may not necessarily even know what you're looking for, making the DIY plumbing repair hard to complete.

For example, say you're experiencing low water pressure. You may think it's because of a clogged drain, too much water usage, or a leaky pipe somewhere. But which one is it? The three above probable causes are three different issues that have their own repair methods. Without specialized tools, it can be difficult to produce an accurate diagnosis, resulting in an improper repair, and leading to additional potential issues.

Getting a professional inspection and diagnosis is always worth it. Now, let's take a look at some of the most common DIY plumbing mistakes, and how you can fix them before calling in one of our plumbing professionals from Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Mississauga.

Using Chemical Drain Cleaners Instead of Proper Tools

One of the most common DIY plumbing mistakes is over-using harsh chemical drain cleaners to remove stubborn clogs in your kitchen sinks or bathroom sinks. When you have a clog, it is the result of an accumulation of soap scum, hair, grease, mineral deposits, and a wide range of other debris. A simple squirt of some liquid drain cleaner is not nearly as effective as professional services such as hydrojetting or drain snaking.

Liquid drain cleaners can be harmful substances to your plumbing system, so before you pour more down the drain, consider the amount of money you'll end up pouring down the drain in costly repairs. Before you call us for a professional drain cleaning, what you can do in the meantime is employ a plumbing snake or barbed drain cleaning tool, and snake it down the affected drain. This should be able to loosen a stubborn clog, though we do still recommend reaching out to a professional plumber to ensure that the clog isn't pointing to a deeper issue with your plumbing system.

Lack of Tools For The Job

Another thing that sets a professional apart from the average homeowner is their access to specialized equipment for the task. In most plumbing situations, basic tools won't cut it. Unlike a DIYer, plumbing experts come equipped with a wide variety of tools that will assist in the service. And, with the advancement of plumbing technology like video camera inspections, plumbers have access to equipment that will pinpoint underground pipe leaks. Professional plumbers get their equipment from a professional supplier that only sells to professionals and businesses in the industry. So before you attempt a DIY plumbing repair to your water heater with a standard wrench, flashlight, and duct tape, call a professional.

Lack of Knowledge About Safety

Plumbers go through numerous hours of safety training before being able to practice their trade. Plumbers are exposed to a wide range of hazards every time they take on a plumbing job, but that's okay. Why? Because they have the training and experience to know how to protect themselves from any risks. Take, for example, a traditional sewer line repair. Extensive digging is required, and knowledge of how to handle the machinery is involved.

Now, we're guessing that no homeowner would try to take on a sewer line repair with a DIY plumbing attempt; however, even the most simple plumbing repairs have their own set of risks associated with them. Furthermore, numerous plumbing jobs are associated with dealing with bodily waste and these are highly hazardous materials that if exposed to, could cause a whole host of health hazards to you. Protect your health and safety, and please call an expert plumber.

The Snowball Effect

Minor problems call for minor repairs, right? Like something you can easily fix on a sunny Saturday afternoon. While minor issues like a leaky faucet look easy to solve through a DIY plumbing fix, when you don't have the proper skills and tools, it's all too easy to lose control of the situation. That seemingly minor leak may escalate into a major issue if you try to tighten the wrong part, causing extensive water damage to your flooring. Calling a professional for a quick repair will be the difference between a small inconvenience and a large nightmare.

The Risks of DIY Plumbing Are Too Severe—Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing For All Things Plumbing

Now that you know the risks of DIY plumbing, hopefully you'll know to call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Mississauga every time you require regular maintenance or plumbing repairs. Our plumbing professionals love a chance to show off their expert skills and provide you peace of mind knowing that your plumbing system is in good shape. If you'd like to schedule an appointment for a plumbing service, contact our exceptional customer service team before you go the DIY plumbing route!