Home Plumbing: The Do’s and Don’ts

Working on DIY projects in your home can be a lot of fun, and a great way to add some value to your home, or to put your own creative stamp on it. Many people can be forgiven for shying away from some of the bigger or more complex home improvement jobs, especially when it comes to electrical work and plumbing.

You can save a lot of money and learn new skills by taking some of these tasks on yourself, and many of them are not as hard as you think. When it comes to home plumbing, there is a lot an amateur can do without posing a risk to themselves, others, or their home.

There are some important things to consider and steps you can take to make sure you are operating as safely as possible and not attempting to do more than you are capable of. Here is our quick guide to the dos and the don’ts of home plumbing.

Plan and Prepare, Do Your Research

Without proper planning and some research, you are not likely to succeed. If you are going to complete your plumbing task without causing yourself problems or biting off more than you can chew, you are going to have to research the job and your home.

Planning and preparing your protective equipment, tools, and supplies is also important. Have a plan in place in case of an emergency, whether a physical injury or a flood.

Do Familiarise Yourself with Your Plumbing System

Not every home has the same plumbing system. Even if you have worked on home plumbing before, you should still take the time to investigate every pipe and map your home’s piping.

You need to find your home’s main water feed and it’s stopcock, so you can cut off the main water supply if things do go wrong. You should also check any attic or loft space. Many older, pre-war homes had secondary water tanks in the attic to supply a home with a limited amount of water in an emergency. These can often hold gallons of water and should be drained or isolated to avoid flooding. 

Know Your Limit, Don’t Be Afraid to Call in the Experts

It can be tempting to get carried away, especially if you have learned some new skills that you want to practice. Knowing your limits is an important part of doing-it-yourself, so make sure you assess the job properly before you attempt the work. Some jobs require professional workers with the right tools and experience for the job.

If your home is suffering damage from a water leak, follow the steps in this article to help you make a claim from your insurer. The guidance in there was written by Pinpoint who have decades of experience tracing and isolating water leaks.

With the right planning, research, and a cautious approach, just about any home plumbing job can be completed by a competent DIYer. Always make sure you have the right protective equipment and a plan in case anything goes wrong.