Tag Archives: DIY plumbing

Jun '23

Fix Your Broken Drain Pipes Like a Pro: Expert Tips from a Local Plumber

When it comes to plumbing issues, broken drain pipes are one of the most common problems homeowners face. Not only can this create unpleasant smells and potential health hazards, but it can also cause water damage and, ultimately, be pricey to repair. As such, fixing broken drain pipes requires a thorough understanding of the problem and the right steps to fix it efficiently. To help you manage this issue like a pro, we have compiled expert tips from a local plumber.

What Causes Broken Drain Pipes?

Before we talk about the solutions, let us discuss the causes of broken drain pipes. Pipe corrosion, which is common in older pipes made of iron and galvanized steel, can cause breakage over time. This happens due to exposure to naturally occurring chemicals and minerals in water. Moreover, shifting soil, heavy traffic, and piercing can also contribute to breakage, leading to drain pipe issues.

Expert Tips to Fix Broken Drain Pipes

Fixing broken drain pipes may sound daunting, but with the right tools and techniques, you can save some money on repairs, and ensure the job is done correctly. Here are expert tips to help you fix broken drain pipes like a pro.

Step 1: Inspection and Preparation

Before commencing the repair process, it is critical to inspect the broken drain pipes properly. First, locate the leak by inspecting the entire pipe’s length visually. If the water damage is visible, then use a moisture meter to detect water. You can then mark the area with chalk. Check the surrounding areas for any obstacles like concrete slabs, gas, or electric lines that can hamper your work. Also, clear the area around the leak completely to make sure you have enough space to work.

Step 2: Turn Off the Water Supply

Turning off the water supply valve is a crucial step before starting the repair process. This will help prevent any further damage or leaks while you work on the drain pipe. Make sure you know where the main valve is located and how to turn it off.

Step 3. Remove the Damaged Section

After turning off the water supply, it is time to cut out the damaged drain pipe section. To do this, you need to measure and mark the damaged area accurately, then use a handsaw or a reciprocating saw to cut out the section. You can use a pipe cutter for accuracy in small spaces. Remove the damaged section carefully by loosening the pipe’s clamp connection or cutting it with a saw.

Step 4: Choose the Right Replacement Pipes

Choosing the right replacement pipes is critical to ensure a successful repair. PVC pipes are becoming more popular because they are easy to use, cost-efficient, and sturdy. However, if you have an old house, you may need to use cast iron, copper, or clay pipes. Make sure you choose pipes with compatible outside diameters to fit the existing pipes.

Step 5: Install the New Pipe Sections

The next step is to install new piping sections. First, measure the new section of the pipe to fit the existing one. Then, attach the pipe section to connectors (such as elbows or couplings) by using PVC cement or lead sealant (for cast iron pipes). For PVC pipes, always allow the cement to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions before using it.

Step 6: Test the Repair

After repairing the broken drain pipes, it is critical to test the repair to ensure there are no more leaks or issues. Turn the water supply back on and let it run for a while to confirm everything is running smoothly. Check for any leaks around the repaired area, and tighten any pipe-fitting connections if necessary.

Preventive Measures for Future Drain Pipe Issues

When it comes to broken drain pipes, prevention is always better than cure. Here are some preventive measures to keep in mind:

Regularly inspect and maintain your drain pipes to ensure they are in good condition.

Avoid using chemical drain cleaners that can corrode pipes and cause further damage.

Dispose of grease and cooking oil in a trash can, not down the drain, to avoid clogging.

Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper down the toilet to prevent clogging.

The Bottom Line

Fixing broken drain pipes can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and techniques, you can handle it like a pro. Inspecting, preparing, and choosing the right replacement pipes are crucial steps to ensure a successful repair. Also, preventive measures like regular inspections and avoiding drain clogging can help you avoid future drain pipe issues. However, if in doubt, don’t hesitate to seek the help of a professional plumber.

Jun '23

DIY Plumbing Hacks: Fixes for Common Sewer Backup Issues

As a homeowner, one of the most dreaded plumbing issues is a sewer backup. Not only is it unpleasant and unsanitary, but it can also cause significant damage to your home. Hiring a professional plumber to fix the issue can be expensive, but there are some DIY plumbing hacks that you can try to fix common sewer backup issues. Here are some tips on how to handle some of the most common sewer backup issues.

Identify the Cause of the Backup

The first step in fixing a sewer backup is to identify the cause. There could be a variety of reasons for the backup, including clogged pipes, tree roots, or damage to the sewer line. Some of the most common causes of sewer backups include:

Flushing non-degradable items down the toilet

Pouring grease and oil down the sink drain

Tree root intrusion

Old or corroded pipes

Heavy rainfall or flooding

If you know the cause of the backup, you can take steps to prevent it from happening again in the future. For example, you should avoid flushing non-degradable items down the toilet and dispose of grease and oil in the trash instead of pouring it down the sink drain.

Clean Out the Pipes

If you have a minor sewer backup, you may be able to clear it out using a plunger or a drain snake. A plunger can be effective in dislodging minor clogs in the toilet or sink drain. A drain snake, also known as an auger, can be used to clear out clogs deeper in the pipes. When using a drain snake, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to avoid causing damage to the pipes.

If the clog is more severe, you may need to call in a hydro-jetting service to clear out the pipes. A hydro-jetting machine is a high-pressure water jet that shoots water down the pipes to clear out any obstructions. This method is best left to the professionals, as it can be dangerous if not done correctly.

If the backup is caused by damaged pipes, such as those that have cracked or corroded, you will need to repair or replace them.

Repair or Replace Damaged Pipes

If the backup is caused by damaged pipes, such as those that have cracked or corroded, you will need to repair or replace them. This is a more involved process that requires the services of a local plumber. The plumber will need to assess the extent of the damage and determine the best course of action by way of inspecting your sewer line with a video camera.

If the damage is minor, the plumber may be able to repair the sewer line using a patch or epoxy. For more extensive damage, the plumber may need to replace the damaged section of the pipe entirely. This can be expensive, but it is necessary to prevent further damage to your home.

Prevent Future Backups

Once you have resolved the current sewer backup issue, it is important to take steps to prevent future backups. Here are some tips:

Have your pipes inspected regularly to check for damage or signs of wear and tear

Avoid flushing non-degradable items down the toilet

Dispose of grease and oil in the trash instead of pouring it down the drain

Plant trees away from the sewer line to avoid root intrusion

Install backwater valves to prevent sewage from flowing back into your home

By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of future sewer backups and ensure that your plumbing system is working efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Sewer backups can be a nightmare for homeowners, but there are DIY plumbing hacks that you can try before calling in the professionals. By identifying the cause of the backup, cleaning out the pipes, repairing or replacing damaged sewer pipes, and taking steps to prevent future backups, you can save yourself time and money and avoid the hassle of dealing with a messy and unpleasant issue.

Mar '22

Problems with DIY Plumbing Repairs

Plumbing issues in the home are wide range and every time something goes wrong with one of the plumbing features in your home, the chances that you are going to spend money to fix it are high. The combined cost of fixing small plumbing issues in the home can sum up to a lot of money at the end of the year.

One of the best ways to minimize the cost of solving problems with your plumbing is to understand how the system works. As a homeowner or a landlord, says Vineyard Property Management, you should know how to prevent, diagnose, and fix certain plumbing issues in your home. It makes no sense to call a plumber for problems you can handle yourself.

At the same time though, a do-it-yourself approach to plumbing issues in your home also can be a problem. DIY plumbers get into trouble when they start to imagine themselves as professional plumbers. There is a difference between what you can learn on a YouTube video and what a professional plumber knows.

Not knowing the limits of your DIY abilities will cause you more plumbing problems than you are trying to solve. The plumbing in your home is massive, complicated, and is made up of interconnected systems. Seemingly small issues in one part of the plumbing will result in bigger problems elsewhere.

Most amateur plumbers do not fully comprehend the truth about the complexity of a home’s plumbing. As a result, they will undertake projects without a complete overview of the system. What often results is they end up compounding the existing issues and causing bigger problems for themselves.

What are some of the DIY plumbing repairs that homeowners encounter?

Increased risk of flooding

The margin for error when fixing plumbing problems in the home is very narrow. Small things you overlook can result in consequences that are several times worse than the original problem.

It is not uncommon for the home to get flooded as a result of mistakes during a DIY plumbing repair. This happens because amateur plumbers do not follow a systematic routine and they can also fail to turn the water off.

Superficial fixes

Most DIY fixes focus on the immediate rather than the remote causes of a problem. The concern of the homeowner is to eliminate urgent and distressing issues. As a result, DIYers do not do a proper diagnosis of the issue but only apply superficial fixes.

The result of doing that is the underlying problem is left to persist and grow worse. When it is eventually discovered, it will cost a lot more money to solve than it would have if it was detected earlier.

Recurring problems

Without attention from a licensed plumber, your home’s plumbing systems will deteriorate at a faster rate. Firstly, the prevalence of shoddily done DIY fixes will combine to make the system more prone to damage.

Secondly, the lack of attention by a professional plumber will increase the rate of natural wear and tear. The issues of a plumbing system will steadily become worse if that system does not get the professional care it requires.

Exposure to safety hazards

In addition to pipes and connections, the plumbing system in your home also has components that use gas and electricity. Fiddling with appliances like water heaters and washing machines when you don’t have the necessary training is a recipe for disaster.

Moreover, some plumbing repairs require the use of power tools that can easily cause injuries. Lastly, slips and falls are common when doing plumbing repairs. Protect yourself by leaving the job to a professional.

Lost time and avoidable delays

There is nothing like a plumbing emergency to get you to rearrange your plans. The danger of flooding posed by the problem and the chance that you will be without water, makes solving the problem urgent.

The frequency of disruptions to your work schedule and lifestyle increases with the number of plumbing issues in the home. A professional plumber can help you prevent plumbing problems that show up at the most inopportune times.

Higher system maintenance cost

DIY repairs are more impromptu than they are systematic. A DIY approach to solving your home’s plumbing issues prevents you from adopting a preventative maintenance schedule that is based on timely inspection of the plumbing. This narrow focus on solving short-term problems will cost you more money in the long run because it is easier and cheaper to manage your home’s problems when you can anticipate the issues.

In conclusion, when maintaining the plumbing system in your home, it is important to make a distinction between what you can do and what you should not try to do. Minor repairs like changing faucet aerators or unclogging the toilet with a drain snake are things every homeowner should be able to DIY. More complex plumbing repairs are best left to a local plumber.

Hiring an expert plumber when you need to will ensure your personal safety, protect your home’s plumbing system and also minimize your plumbing expenditure.