When something goes wrong with your plumbing system, you naturally want to fix it as soon as possible. However, this can be a mistake if you don’t have the proper knowledge and experience. When you attempt to repair plumbing without the necessary knowledge, you could end up causing more damage than good. This can be particularly true of new home owners who may not be familiar with all the intricacies of plumbing. As a result, it’s important that you only attempt to repair plumbing when you have the proper knowledge and experience. Otherwise, you could end up causing more harm than good. Here is what you need to know before you attempt to repair plumbing without the proper knowledge.

Know the location of your water shut off

Water shut offs are crucial in any plumbing system. They are used to prevent the spread of contamination and limit the damage of leaks. You should know the location of your water shut off in case something goes wrong. You can find your water shut off at the main water line that runs from the house to the street. If you can’t find it, check the breaker box. If you can’t find either of them, call a plumber to come out and look for you.

Don’t attempt to repair pipes that are damaged or leaking

If you attempt to repair a pipe that is damaged or leaking, you could cause even more damage than good. This is because you may not be able to detect the problem. When you repair a damaged pipe, you are introducing more pressure into the system. This could cause even more damage if the pipe is already leaking. If you are not sure whether a pipe is damaged or leaking, contact a plumber. They can come out to your home and determine if it’s safe to repair the pipe.

Don’t attempt to repair pipes that are frozen or brittle

You may not know it, but frozen pipes are a common issue in the winter months. If a pipe freezes and cracks, you should not attempt to repair it. Instead, you should allow the frozen section to thaw. This will prevent you from causing more damage to the pipe. If you attempt to repair a frozen pipe, you could cause more damage than good. This is because you could end up causing the pipe to shatter. This could cause even more damage than if the pipe had frozen in the first place.

Don’t attempt to repair broken or leaking valves

You may not know it, but leaking and broken valves are common issues in older plumbing systems. When a valve breaks, you should not attempt to repair it. Instead, you should replace the entire valve. This will prevent you from causing more damage to the system. When you attempt to repair a broken or leaking valve, you could cause more damage than good. This is because you could end up causing water to back up into other parts of the system.

Final thoughts

Overall, it is important to only attempt to repair plumbing when you have the proper knowledge and experience. Doing so could save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Additionally, you can help prevent damage to your home by only repairing plumbing when you have the proper knowledge and experience. If you want to avoid causing more damage than good, contact a plumber today.

Frequently Asked Question

Most plumbers charge an average of $70 to $120 per hour before trip fees and materials. Rates can range as high as $200 or as low as $45. A plumber's hourly rate covers their wages, insurance premiums, union dues, overhead, equipment, vehicle maintenance, and tools.
The national average cost to repair pipes is $150-$205, but prices range anywhere from $50- $733. Hourly plumber rates range from $55-$195 per hour for pipe repairs.
Rough-in plumbing for new construction costs $8,000 to $12,000, or about or about $4.50 per square foot for an average 2,000 square foot home with 2 or 3 bathrooms. Repiping an existing home the same size runs $3,100 to $5,500, or $0.40 to $2.00 per linear foot.
Water pipes – Leaking water pipes cost an average of $150 to $350 to repair. Finding the leak may cost an additional $100. Drywall repair costs an additional $250 to $750, depending on the hole's size and location. If a pipe froze and burst, you might be looking at paying $1,000 to $4,000 in water damage and cleanup.