Avoid These Common Plumbing Mistakes!

Avoid These Common Plumbing Mistakes! Plumbing pipes.

You discover a leaky faucet in your Round Rock home. You decide to fix it on your own.

What could possibly go wrong?

Plenty. If you do not have the time to finish a plumbing project, the correct tools, and plumbing knowledge, consider leaving the work to the professionals. 

At AiRCO Mechanical, our pros can diagnose your plumbing needs accurately and complete repairs and installations quickly, with as little disruption as possible. Our experts offer heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), electrical, and plumbing solutions to improve comfort in your Texas home. 

Fix Leaks

If you decide to get hands-on with a plumbing repair or installation, consider starting with an easy-to-fix leak. A dripping faucet or leaky valve can drain your money through increased water bills. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says a dripping faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons annually. Fixing household water leaks can save you about 10 percent in water bills.

Whether you are repairing a leak or installing a new fixture, keep in mind these common plumbing mistakes: 

You Forget to Turn Off the Water

The fastest way to turn a faucet or pipe into a wet catastrophe is by repairing a pipe or fixture without first turning off the water. Most toilets, showers, and sinks have a valve that shuts off the water in the supply pipe as it exits the wall. This stops water from flowing to the individual fixture. The alternative is to shut off the water throughout your home by turning off your water main.

Your Plumber’s Toolbox Is Empty

You likely own a few tools to make simple repairs, hang artwork, and tackle DIY projects in your Round Rock home. They may be the wrong tools for plumbing. Consider wrenches, for example. An open-ended wrench can help you fix your bicycle but is not the best choice for toilet repair. Depending on the task, you may need a pipe wrench, a basin wrench, a faucet wrench, or a shower valve wrench. 

The list of essential plumbing supplies and tools may seem endless, from caulking guns to drain snakes to thread sealing tape. A well-stocked plumbing toolbox can be costly. Are you ready to invest in the proper tools and learn to use them? The worst step you can take is starting a project and then discovering you do not have the appropriate tools and parts. 

If that happens, let AiRCO Mechanical finish the task. We have all the tools and new parts needed for every job.  

You Are Not Sure Which Part Went Where

If you plan to disassemble a fixture or pipes, carefully note how it all fits together, right down to the smallest gasket. Take cell phone photos along the way to document the steps you take.  Place the parts in the order you remove them on a table or tarp. Be sure you are comfortable reassembling components before taking them apart. 

You Use Drain Cleaner

Repeated use of harsh chemical cleaners may unplug a clogged drain but can harm your pipes. Refrain from using a drain cleaner and try a plunger or drain snake to break up blockages. Need help? Let the expert plumbers at AiRCO Mechanical lend a hand with messy plumbing projects. 

Your Connections Are Too Tight

You do not need to apply superhuman strength when tightening connections. Tighten by hand and then use a wrench to make the connection snug. New fixtures and components typically include instructions that indicate how much additional wrench tightening is needed. Using a heavy hand on the wrench can break washers, snap valve stems, crack porcelain bolts, and cause more plumbing problems. 

Call the Plumbing Experts

AiRCO Mechanical can make your life easier in Round Rock, TX, by maintaining your drains, repairing leaks, installing upgraded fixtures, and finishing botched DIY projects. Call us at 512.537.1234 or request service online.

Need HVAC Service?

Contact the experts at AiRCO Mechanical.

Call us at 512-537-1234!