How often are you tempted to DIY your home improvement and repairs rather than calling in the professionals? Maybe you’ve had some success with DIY in the past, but when it goes wrong, it can go really wrong. Especially if you’re inexperienced with the task you’re DIYing. Tasks involving electricity and/or water tend to be the ones that can go wrong in the worst ways and can be potentially dangerous.

Here are some of the most common plumbing mistakes DIYers in their homes.

Leaving the water supply on

This sounds like an obvious mistake and one that you’d never make, but it can be easy to forget about. Until you start taking something apart and water floods into your home that is. Always turn off the water supply before tackling a plumbing job, or call the professionals to take care of it for you.

Overtightening nuts and bolts

Ever seen someone take a wrench to their plumbing on TV only to have water spray in their faces? A common mistake could lead to this. When DIYers tighten connections in their plumbing, they often go too far, thinking that tighter will mean more secure. Overtightening places too much pressure on the pipes, which can cause them to crack. This could happen straight away or suddenly a few days or weeks later due to pressure gradually deteriorating the pipes.

Clearing clogs the wrong way

What’s the first tool you reach for when there’s a clog in your toilet or drains? For most people, it’ll be a store-bought drain cleaner. But this can actually do more harm than good to your drains. A drain snake can be good for sink or shower drains, but using this could damage your toilet bowl. A plunger is a safer option for all clogs. A professional will know the best tool and technique to use based on the situation.

Not having the right parts or tools for the job

Do you know exactly what tools, parts, and spare parts you need for the plumbing job you’re tackling? It can be easy to forget something or pick up the wrong type of tool. When you call a professional plumber, you can rest assured that they have all the right tools and know which ones to use for each job.

Don’t take the risk with DIY plumbing. You could end up with even more damage in your home or harm to you and your family. Call in the professionals next time you need plumbing repairs or installation in your home. D.S. Brandon Plumbing can help with all your plumbing needs around Forsyth, Davie, Davidson, and Guilford Counties. Get in touch with us today.