Hello World!  Welcome Friends!  Knowing a few DIY plumbing fixes can come in handy, especially when handling simple repairs or in cases wherein you can’t look for plumbers during emergencies. It can also help you save some bucks when you know how to address minor plumbing issues on your property.

And while you don’t need to become an expert in this area, knowing the basics can help prevent problems from worsening. However, hiring a professional plumber for severe plumbing issues is still recommended.

Nonetheless, here are essential things worth noting before you do your DIY plumbing:

1. Get to Know the Local Plumbing Codes

Every state has plumbing codes you need to learn before starting a project. Generally, you can follow the national plumbing code, but ensure that you’re also familiar with your local state’s code as it may have additional or more stringent requirements.

The code generally covers different parts of the plumbing system, guiding you with your project to ensure compliance with the industry’s standards and safety guidelines. And as you learn plumbing codes, you can build understanding of DIY plumbing tools, materials, and fittings you can use to avoid the following common code violations:

• Failing to increase support by running pipes through weakened joists
• Placing the toilet’s fixtures too close together
• Not using the proper slope when installing pipes
• Using improper pipe sizes
• Choosing the wrong materials, such as rubber instead of PVC or copper
• Creating escaped sewer gases or leaks due to improper drain traps installation

2. Understand the Fundamentals of a Plumbing System

It’s also advisable to learn the basics of plumbing systems so you can better understand various plumbing problems that could occur. It’s also one way of passing plumbing codes while designing a system that works correctly when planning a new home or remodeling your property.

Essentially, house plumbing has two systems: a drain-water vent system (DWV) and a water supply system. The former has three main components: drain vents, drain traps, and drain pipes. Their primary role is getting rid of wastewater. However, clogging is a common problem in this system. For one, grease can clog the DWV system in the kitchen, while hair is the common culprit in clogging the bathroom’s DWV system.

Meanwhile, the water supply system is responsible for providing fresh or clean water to your property. Water can come from wells or city water going into your pipes through pressure. You need to have correctly installed pipes to avoid leaks, which are the most common problems of the water supply system. Another is sufficient pressure to ensure water runs through your flush toilets and shower.

3. Know Your Pipes

Knowing the different types of pipes in your plumbing system is also vital. Knowing which ones to install at home can go a long way in minimizing possible pipe problems.

One way to understand the types of plumbing pipes is to know their different use and functions. For instance, you can use PEX or copper pipes for regular water lines or cold water. On the other hand, dishwashers, washing machines, and other hot water fixtures require CPVC pipes.

Moreover, when choosing which pipe to install, it’s always best to check the local code to see if the pipe material and the size you’ll be using are accepted and code-compliant.

4. Familiarize Yourself With Common Plumbing Issues

Aside from knowing the basics and technicalities of your home’s plumbing system, it’s also essential that you take the time to know and familiarize yourself with common plumbing issues. This way, should a symptom appear, you’d know what to do to prevent it from escalating to a more significant plumbing issue or whether you shouldn’t DIY it and fix it on your own and call for professional help instead.

Here are some of the common plumbing issues you should note of:

• Slow Draining Shower Drains: One common plumbing issue is shower drain clogs which can cause a lot of inconveniences when left unfixed. As mentioned, hair strands accumulating can block the drain clogging the latter. You can use a hair catcher as a preventive remedy.

On the other hand, it’s also best to avoid throwing fine sand, thick fluids, left-over paints, paper products, and other solid waste in a drain. When these accumulate, the clog can be challenging to remove. You can a clogged drain by mixing natural solutions like hot water, vinegar, and soda.

• Clogged Toilets: A clogged toilet can happen to any household. But perhaps, the most common reason for this problem is flushing down foreign objects that can block the toilet. These include paper towels, wet pipes, and cotton products, among others. To handle this plumbing issue, you can use a plunger or a drain auger.

And in some cases, it can also be due to a blocked toilet vent. You can call a professional plumber to help you sort out if home remedies aren’t fixing the problem.

• Leaking Hose Bibb: A leaking hose bibb is quite common after the cold season. During winter, outdoor fixtures are prone to freezing and may crack, causing unwanted leaks that can balloon your water bills. To prevent this, consider investing in frost-proof hose bibb or freeze-resistant spigots.

Conclusion

DIY-ing your plumbing needs can be complex. This is especially since there are many technicalities involved in ensuring its function. With that, you can start small by understanding the basics of plumbing before fixing problems related to it. When you know the fundamentals, buying the correct pipes and other plumbing tools to help with your project will be easier.

Click the links below for any posts you have missed:

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Toodles,