Father’s Day is almost here and it’s a great time to thank your dad or father figure for everything that he’s done for you over the years. Did you grow up with a dad that wanted to do everything, from roofing to plumbing services and even electrical work?
Many of us had a DIY plumbing dad that, while well-intentioned, did not have a perfect track record of success. It seems that most plumbing dads have had a few major failures over the years.
With that in mind, today we want to share some tips to help avoid or at least minimize the damage done by the most well-meaning plumbing dads.
Avoid Toilet Installation
Do you need a new toilet and have a DIYer that wants to take on this project? As you might guess, this is almost always a bad idea. Toilet installation is a complicated project and one that it’s incredibly important to get right.
Improper toilet installation can lead to several health issues, can result in serious injury, and can cause extensive water damage.
Plus, the toilet is one of the most important parts of your plumbing system and one that you want to make sure is always working correctly. As a result, this is not a project to leave to even the most enthusiastic DIYer.
Duct Tape Does Not Fix Pipes
No matter what your dad might have said, duct tape is not a way to fix a leaking pipe. This is true even if your dad said “It’s dad tested and dad approved.”
Not only does this type of fix not provide a permanent solution, but it also doesn’t address any underlying issues that might be the original cause of the leak and could indicate a major problem.
Using duct tape to fix leaks will at best ensure that you have an ongoing leak and at worst result in a plumbing emergency. Avoid both by having an iron-clad rule of never using duct tape as a way to fix a leaky pipe.
Drain Snaking is More Complicated Than It Seems
If your drains are clogged, keep in mind that drain snaking is a more complicated process than it might appear to be and that attempting to do it without the right experience can lead to problems.
First, using a snake for clogged pipes when you don’t know what you’re doing will likely not unclog your drains. Second, and more concerning, is the risk that you might end up doing damage to your entire system.
This can create all kinds of very expensive problems. As a result, snake draining is something that DIYers shouldn’t take on unless they have experience and know what they’re doing. This Father’s Day, thank your dad for modeling independence, curiosity, and self-reliance.
As you recount some of his less-successful DIY plumbing dad tasks, also make sure that you learn from some of his mistakes and know when to call a professional. We’re here 24/7 to handle any plumbing issues that you have.
