You never know when plumbing issues can strike your home, but with a few useful plumbing tips in store, you can save a lot of time and money. Learning some tricks will help you achieve success in your DIY weekend plumbing tasks. These tricks will solve a majority of your plumbing problems, as well as lend you the confidence to “just do it yourself.”

Here are five smart plumbing tips and tricks for the weekend plumbers:

1. Plastic Is More Ideal for the Do-It-Yourselfer

   You may think that metal drain lines under sinks are more reliable than plastic, but plastic is more ideal in almost every way. It’s not only cheaper and easier to install, but also easier to adjust or tighten. Moreover, it does not rust or corrode like metal. So, when a metal drain leaks, the smartest fix is to replace the entire assembly with plastic to make it easier for the do-it-yourselfer.

2. Get Rid of Clogs in Seconds

   We all know that clogs can be inconvenient, and should be taken care of immediately when noticed. So, you may want to try a few of these plumbing tricks before you run a drain snake into a clogged pipe or disassemble the trap. The tricks worth trying are – you can either pull out a clog with a flexible-shaft pick-up tool, or use a wet/dry vacuum to suck out the clog. These might easily resolve your problem.

3. Use Heat to Loosen Stuck Plumbing Fixtures

   If you are repairing residential plumbing fixtures like pipes and valves, use the heat trick. It works efficiently on old connections that were sealed with pipe dope, which hardened over time. It is also helpful in cracking the calcium and magnesium hard water deposits that cause trouble for valves. However, be patient, as getting the metal hot enough can take a couple of minutes. Protect nearby surfaces with a flame-resistant cloth and have a fire extinguisher or bucket of water on hand.

4. Choose Caulking over Putty

   If you aren’t sure whether to use putty or caulk for your various weekend do-it-yourself projects, it’s important to note that a lot of plumbers never use putty. The reason for this is that putty not only damages some plastic surfaces, but also stains surfaces like natural stone. Furthermore, it tends to dry out, crack, and allow leaks. Silicone caulk is a much safer and longer-lasting sealant.

5. Be Careful When Tightening, as Over Tightening Can Be Risky

   Avoid over tightening supply lines, as it can wreck rubber seals and crack the threaded nuts. Make them finger-tight first, then use pliers to give them a one-eighth to one-quarter turn. If they still leak, tighten them a little more.

With these plumbing tricks, you’re now better prepared for any basic plumbing emergencies that might come your way.

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Pipeline Restoration Plumbing Inc.
Pipeline Restoration Plumbing, Inc. has been serving Orange County since 2008. We have helped thousands of customers with repairing their slab leaks and protecting their water systems from future corrosion. You can count on us whenever you need our services. We are here to help!