6 Costly Mistakes According To A Plumber | Grand Prairie, TX
Do you prioritize saving money on your plumbing? Read this article and ensure you don’t make the costly plumbing mistakes we’ve mentioned below. One more important thing: always hire a licensed plumber in Grand Prairie, TX for all your plumbing repairs and installations to avoid more problems down the road.
Plumbing mistakes to avoid:
1. Neglecting Your Plumbing
Never ignore a plumbing problem as that might progress into a major plumbing emergency if you don’t do something about it. For example, if you see water spots in the walls or there’s low water pressure in the plumbing fixtures, these usually indicate a leak in your plumbing. Please make sure to get in touch with a plumber in Grand Prairie, TX right away for professional leak detection. Our plumbing experts can check for the exact location of the leak and resolve the issue on the same day. Don’t worry, we’re also fully equipped so if something else comes up, we’ll be able to fix it right away.
2. Using Chemical-Based Drain Cleaners for Unclogging a Drain
Are you aware that chemical-based drain cleaners can damage the pipes and may even harm you? They’re not recommended, especially when you have children and pets at home. If you’re not careful, you could also end up hurting yourself. Heavily advertised chemical-based drain cleaners aren’t the permanent solution to unclogging a drain; they can even cause more damage especially when you have older drains. You can either use a drain snake to resolve the problem or call a plumber for professional drain cleaning.
We also recommend you consider installing a garbage disposal to help you effectively manage your food waste. Don’t forget to install drain covers or strainers to catch food debris and dirt, and install these in your kitchen, laundry and bathroom drain. Most importantly, you should be mindful of what you throw down the drain and educate your children as well. Drain clogs can also lead to water damage but thankfully, they’re also preventable. Just make sure you know how to properly care for your drains to keep your drain clean and healthy. We also recommend you get a professional drain cleaning service if you want to thoroughly clean your drains.
3. Taking the Water Tank for Granted
Are you still using a conventional water heater? Please don’t forget to drain the water heater at least once a year to remove the sediment building up in the tank. Otherwise, they can accumulate and you’ll start to have problems with your water heater. Sediment can significantly affect the water heater’s efficiency so you may notice fluctuating temperatures. In some cases, you won’t have any hot water at all. You can avoid a costly repair and replacement if you know how to properly maintain your water heater.
For homeowners who want to maximize their savings, we recommend calling a plumber to install a tankless water heater. The tankless unit uses less energy as you’re not constantly heating the water, only when you turn on the shower or the faucet. Tankless water heaters also last longer and require less maintenance. Get in touch with us to help you make an informed decision on which water heater to install for your home.
4. Not Buying Batteries for the Sump Pump
Sump pumps are safety devices that prevent flooding in the basement. However, you need to also ensure they actually work. Apart from testing the sump pump, it’s better to get extra batteries just in case the power goes out. Speak with a plumber to know what type of battery to purchase for your sump pump. Without the backup batteries, the sump pump will not work and you’ll end up with a flooded basement and costly repairs.
5. Not Hiring Qualified Professionals
One of the most expensive plumbing mistakes you can make is when you don’t hire the most qualified plumber to tackle repairs, installations or maintenance. DIY plumbing or hiring inexperienced people can also cost more. A YouTube DIY video can be helpful but if you encounter a problem during the process, the video may not be able to provide you with everything you need. If you’re not careful, you might also end up damaging your unit.
The biggest risk of hiring an unqualified plumber is that you don’t get out a 100% satisfaction guarantee on every appointment so if they make a mistake, you will have to hire another plumber to correct the problem. Unlicensed technicians also don’t have insurance so if they get injured on the job, you may have to shoulder all medical expenses. Always hire a licensed professional to save money.
6. Not Protecting the Pipes
Another mistake you can make is not insulating the pipes when the temperature starts dropping. You’re supposed to put some insulating material on all exposed pipes inside and outside of your home. Otherwise, the water inside your plumbing pipes can freeze. The pipes will then expand and then burst. To avoid a flooded home and a costly plumbing repair, take some winter precautions to protect your plumbing.
Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth Today
Are you looking for a plumber in Grand Prairie, TX for your home or business? We offer both residential and commercial plumbing services including emergency plumbing. We’re available around the clock if you need immediate service. Our plumbing experts can assist with all types of plumbing repairs or installations. If you need assistance on which plumbing upgrades to purchase for your home, we can help as well. Our goal is to ensure all customers are happy with our services. The only way to achieve this is by offering top-notch plumbing service at every appointment. Call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth today.