Taking on plumbing projects yourself may seem like a great way to save money. However, plumbing work involves dealing with pressurized water systems, and installing fixtures properly is critical for health and safety reasons.
Many do-it-yourself homeowners end up causing expensive damage or water leaks by making common plumbing mistakes. Let’s look at some of the top errors even experienced DIY-ers fall prey to.
1. Not Using Closet Flanges
Installing toilets without closet flanges is a big no-no. These flanges, which sit between the floor and the toilet, provide a barrier and anchor point.
Without them, toilets wobble and often don’t form a proper seal. Over time, wobbly toilets are at high risk of cracking porcelain or leaking at the base.
Take the time to measure for and securely attach closet flanges before setting any toilet. Proper support helps ensure a long-lasting installation.
2. Improper Pipe Slope
For drains to efficiently empty wastewater and prevent clogging, pipes must be sloped at a minimum grade of 1/4 inch per foot. Laying pipe level or sloping backward is a major plumbing blunder.
Without the proper downward slope, drainage will be inadequate, and sitting water breeds mold, mildew, and odors.
When installing pipes or rerouting drains, use a level to check the fall is directed properly to the main soil stack. Proper pitch is key for smooth flow.
3. Caulking Instead Of Soldering
Many DIY-ers try to shortcut the soldering process, but caulking copper pipe joints will never achieve a solid, leak-proof seal. The high temperatures of soldering are necessary to fuse the joint materials and create an impenetrable bond.
Caulked seams break down over time as the material dries and cracks, compromising connections.
Always properly clean, flux, and solder all copper pipes and fittings for reliable long-term sealing. Avoid taking shortcuts that could come back to haunt you with repairs down the road.
4. Using Wrong Materials
Plastic is not a substitute for galvanized steel or copper in all applications. Residential plumbing codes exist to standardize materials suitable for various positions within a system.
Using plastic in place of brass fittings or the wrong piping type for drainage runs could violate the code and potentially jeopardize household safety.
Know which materials match specified uses before beginning plumbing renovations or repairs. Improper substitutions sometimes work briefly but fail inspection or leak eventually.
5. Routing Pipes Too Close To Heat Sources
Excessive heat warps PVC and plastic piping over time, enlarging joints and causing cracks or leaks. While running new supply lines, maintain a safe distance of at least 6 inches from high heat sources like furnaces, water heaters, ovens, or fireplaces.
Insulate pipes properly where they pass through exterior walls too. Always consider long-term pipe protection from temperature extremes when planning routing paths. Monitoring for heat damage can thwart future drainage or flooding problems.
6. Ignoring Venting Requirements
Vents are as essential to residential plumbing as drains themselves. They allow air to enter the system, equalizing pressure and enabling smooth water flow.
Clogged or missing vents induce s-traps that siphon drains water backward, trapping odors. Correct vent locations and sizing are dictated by code to ensure effective airflow.
DIY plumbers unsure of code vent rules risk blocked or ineffective drainage by omitting vent lines without consulting an expert. Proper venting according to regulation avoids drainage issues.
7. Using Undersized Pipes
While bigger looks nicer, pipes that are too large for the application can reduce flow velocity and lead to clogs. Use residential plumbing manuals or an online pipe size calculator based on fixture drain outlets, branch interconnects, and main soil or vent stacks.
Oversized pipes increase cleaning challenges and blockage risks long-term for little benefit. Proper sizing ensures water moves efficiently through the system now and far into the future without backup.
