When it comes to home renovations, few things are as frustrating and inconvenient as having to rip up perfectly good floors and walls to install plumbing. Depending on the complexity of the job, it can take anywhere from a few days to a week for professional plumbers to install your new plumbing fixtures. While many people try to save money by doing this work themselves, the risk of injury is much higher when you attempt plumbing installation without professional assistance. According to statistics from the National Council of Plumbing Trade Associations (NCTA), the average homeowner makes at least one plumbing mistake during installation or repair on a regular basis. In fact, it’s pretty common for people to make two or three of these same mistakes during a typical installation project. This article will help you understand the most common mistakes people make when installing plumbing in their home, so you can avoid making them yourself!

Not hiring a professional plumber for the job.

As mentioned above, the risks involved in attempting to install your own plumbing are much higher than they would be if you hired a professional to do the job for you. The simplest and most obvious mistake is failing to hire a plumber in the first place. Some people think that they can save money by doing the job themselves, but this doesn’t take into account all of the expenses that come with hiring a professional to do the job for you. If you attempt to install the plumbing yourself, you will pay the plumber for his or her time, materials, and any travel expenses incurred. If you decide to hire a contractor, you will also have to pay them a fee. This can add up to $10,000 or more for a typical project, which is a lot more than you would pay for the same work if you hired a licensed plumber.Additionally, there are certain jobs that you simply can’t do on your own. For example, you may have a long trench dug for your sewer line. If you attempt to install plastic pipes in that trench, they will most likely collapse under the weight of the surrounding soil.

Not getting a permit before beginning work.

Many cities and towns require permits for plumbing installations, and failure to obtain one can lead to fines and other complications. In some cases, you may even have to vacate your home while the plumbing contractor fixes the problem. If you attempt to do the job without a permit, you will have no legal recourse if you run into problems with your installation. Many cities and towns require permits for plumbing installations, and failure to obtain one can lead to fines and other complications. This is especially true in areas with strict building codes.If the job is too complex for you to handle, you may need to hire a professional contractor to assist you. You should still apply for the permit so you don’t risk fines or other complications.

Not checking for permits before using a contractor.

Some cities and towns require permits for the installation of all plumbing fixtures, regardless of their complexity. If you attempt to do the job yourself, you may not realize you need a permit until after you start digging. In some cases, you may even be required to hire a licensed inspector to check over your permit. If you decide to hire a contractor, you should still ask to see their permit and make sure that they are certified to do the job in the area where you live.This is especially true in areas where there are strict building codes. You may need to hire a certified contractor to get the job done correctly and safely.

Forgetting to mark pipes before removing them.

If you have old pipes in your home, they may be made of lead. Lead pipes were once common in older homes, but the practice has been phased out because of the health risks associated with lead poisoning. You may have noticed that many older homes are painted a bright shade of orange. This is often done to camouflage the pipes in the walls so that they’re easier to see and avoid.If you decide to replace your pipes, you may need to move these lead pipes before you start your new plumbing installation. If you forget to mark them, it may be difficult or impossible to locate them again when you want them out of the way.

Forgetting to turn off the main water supply.

Most plumbing installations require that the main water supply be shut off. If you don’t remember to turn off the water, you run the risk of flooding your home and damaging your property. Most water supply lines are buried underground, and interrupting the flow of water to the house will cause it to back up through the supply lines. This is especially true if you are installing a new water heater or making repairs to the main water line.If you forget to shut off the water supply, you may have to replace your entire plumbing installation. This is a common mistake that is easy to avoid if you remember to shut off the water supply before beginning the installation.

Not shutting off the main sewer line.

Most plumbing installations also require that the main sewer line be shut off. If you forget to shut off the sewer line, you risk flooding your home. The sewer line is usually hidden underground, and interrupting the flow of sewage will cause it to back up. If you are installing a new sewage system, it will almost certainly require that the main sewer line be shut off.If you forget to shut off the sewer line, you may have to replace your entire plumbing installation. This is a common mistake that is easy to avoid if you remember to shut off the sewer line before beginning the installation.

Conclusion

In the end, the best way to avoid making these mistakes is to hire a professional plumbing contractor. Licensed contractors are familiar with the local building codes and can assist you with any complicated installation projects. This will save you time and money, and reduce the risk of injury. There are many different types of plumbing contractors, and it’s best to find one that is local to your area. This will ensure that you get the best price and service possible. There are many different types of plumbing contractors, and it’s best to find one that is local to your area. This will ensure that you get the best price and service possible.

Frequently Asked Question

  • Give your pipes a good cleaning once a month. Hair, grease, and other gunk build up in drains over time
  • Fix recurring problems
  • Block debris from entering pipes
  • Flush your drains regularly
  • Don't dump grease down the drain
  • Give your garbage disposal a rest
  • Don't throw things down the toilet
It's always a good idea to take care of your plumbing before a problem happens because a plumbing problem can turn into an emergency very quickly. You should have your plumbing pipes cleaned every 18 to 22 months or so.
The most common plumbing problems are clogged drains and toilets, leaky faucets and pipes, water heater issues, low water pressure, and a running toilet.
A good general rule is to have your home's sewer lines cleaned out every 18 to 22 months. That may be difficult to remember, but think of it as a year and a half to slightly less than two years.
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