DIY plumbing can be satisfying work and certainly saves you money, but it’s not all sunshine and porcelain. Many plumbing mistakes made by amateurs can be costly in terms of water damage, safety and time wasted. Learning about these common plumbing mistakes can help you plan smarter for future projects.

Not turning off the water: So many projects end in water damage because people forget to shut off the water supply. Before you remove pipes or clear P-traps, make sure to turn off the water, either to a specific fixture or the whole house.

An incomplete toolkit: Oftentimes, if you don’t have the right tools, you can make a problem worse or complicate the situation. Always research the tools you will need for each job and purchase or rent accordingly. Many jobs require a plumber’s wrench, a basin wrench, and a plumber’s snake. If you’re planning several extensive DIY projects, the hand tools are worth and the snake is worth renting.

Too much drain cleaner: liquid drain cleaner chemical is fine in moderation, but it can damage some types of pipes, especially if used too often. Instead, try using vinegar and baking soda. No matter what you do, don’t rely solely on liquid drain cleaner, natural or otherwise. First try a plunger and or a hand cranked drain snake for clogs than can’t be plunged. That being said, plunging often solves the problem. If you do resort to chemical drain openers, always use eye and face protection since the chemicals are usually caustic and can inflict burns or even blindness.

Refusing to admit defeat: Often you can be so wrapped up in a DIY project that you don’t know when to call it quits. Sometimes you don’t have the right tools; other times you have made the situation worse. At a certain point, the project may move past your skill level or comfort zone. When that happens, you can call us.

When there are pools of water around your drains, a strange odor coming from your kitchen sink or water that takes forever to drain, you have a clogged drain. Oftentimes to clear a clogged drain can be more complex than it would seem. Augers, or drain snakes, will sometimes do the job, but homeowners may not know how to use them correctly or safely. Although there are some situations where unclogging a drain can be a DIY project, there are times when it becomes more than a homeowner can handle.

You can actually do damage to the plumbing by trying to unclog a drain yourself. A common mistake when trying to clear a clogged drain is exerting too much pressure. This can cause a host of problems, including cracking or breaking the pipes. Another mistake is using drain cleaner for every clog, every time. Most drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can damage pipes, and with time, overuse of these cleaners can cause erosion and leaks. Certain types of pipes should never have drain cleaner used in them. Be sure to read labels thoroughly before using any clog remover product to ensure its safe use.

Video camera line inspections can get to the root of the problem quickly and efficiently. When your drains are clogged in a place that is not visible from the surface, or if they clog frequently, it may be a good idea to have a video inspection performed to determine the problem and solution to clogged drain lines.

Yes, there are measures you can take before the cold weather arrives to prevent frozen pipes. Disconnect, drain, and store your garden hoses. Remember, if your house is equipped with interior shut-off valves, to close them, then open the outside faucet and drain out all the water. You can keep it open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing a pipe to burst.

You also can insulate water supply lines that are in unheated areas of the home, such as the basement, crawl spaces, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets, to prevent frozen water pipes.

Yes. If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, turn off the main water supply. Be sure to set your thermostat at 55 degrees or higher and open cabinet doors under sinks to allow heat to circulate around the pipes.

If a pipe has frozen, apply heat to the section of pipe using a hair dryer, electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe or a portable space heater. Do NOT use a blowtorch, kerosene heater or other open flame device. When thawing frozen pipes, start nearest to the faucet. Keep the faucet open so water can flow through the frozen area and help melt the ice inside.

A traditional water heater keeps 30–50 gallons of water, and preheats it ahead of time. When someone in your home uses hot water, it comes preheated. The tank is then is refilled and reheated.

Conventional water heaters are initially cheaper than tankless options. They usually cost far less at purchase. Installation is also easier, which means that problems with the unit are simpler to fix, and the unit itself is easy to replace.

However, a traditional water heater has its drawbacks. Since it’s heating a set amount of water, regardless of your needs, your utility bill will be higher monthly. Traditional water heaters are also larger than tankless units, which limits where they can be installed; they can’t be installed outdoors, for example. With a traditional heater, there’s also the chance that you can run out of hot water. A conventional water heater also has a shorter life expectancy than a tankless heater, which means you’ll have to replace it more often.

Tankless heaters store no water, and use your home’s power (gas or electricity) to heat water as needed. As such, they don’t take up much space, and end up saving you lots on your utility bills. Tankless electric water heaters and tankless gas water heaters alike take up far less space than a conventional heater; they can be mounted outside if need be. Tankless heaters also last up to twice as long as their conventional counterparts.

The convenience and longevity of the tankless heater come with its own drawbacks. Tankless water heaters are initially more expensive than conventional heaters, and are more complex to install, resulting in further initial expenses.

There are tons of ways homeowners can conserve water through their bathroom fixtures and habits. Here are three of the top ways you can conserve water in your bathrooms:

Use low-flow bathroom faucets: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed the WaterSense partnership program with fixture manufacturers to develop bathroom and kitchen fixtures that use less water. Look for products with the WaterSense label to help conserve water in your house.

Install low-flow aerators on your current bathroom faucets: For many faucets, it's also possible to simply install a low-flow aerator at the end of the spout. Aerators control the flow of the water out of the faucet and introduce air into the stream. This added air ensures the water pressure stays the same while the fixture uses less water when it's on.

Opt for a low-flow shower head: Like WaterSense faucets, shower heads with the label use less water without sacrificing pressure.

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