Basic knowledge on plumbing is necessary so that you can do an instant fix whenever you need one. Remember that hiring a professional plumber could mean extra expenditures for you. Therefore, if you need to deal with minor plumbing problems it is better to fix it on your own. However, addressing plumbing problems require familiarity on basic fixture troubleshooting, installation, and replacement.
Aside from acquiring home plumbing knowledge, you also need to be familiar with your drain waste vents and water supply system. This way you can easily spot what causes a leak or clog. Most of the time, homeowners are bombarded with common installation problems. Even though it is straight-forward task, it is critical that you follow the right installation guidelines.
Common shower plumbing mistakes
When installing shower pipes, one thing you should be aware of is the common installation mistakes. Improper installation or wrong pipe fitting can result to inefficient or leaking showers. The most usual mistake that people make includes the following:
• Using a small pipe than what is required.
• Wrong alignment of tubing into the pipe fitting or valves.
• Ignoring or violating local code piping restrictions.
• Not leveling the shower fixture during installation.
• Forgetting to include air gap filling on the fixture.
• Misuse of PTFE tape or pipe compound on threaded joints.
It is critical that you avoid committing these errors to ensure proper shower pipe or fixture installation.
Replacing leaking showers
For those who need to replace leaking showers, first thing you need to do is to investigate the problem. Check what is causing the leak. Try to tighten each valve as this might be the cause of the leak. Also, inspect the rubber gasket. Most of the time shower leaks are caused by worn out gaskets. If this is the case, you need to replace it with a new one. However, if bathroom plumbing leaks still persist you might be dealing with a more serious shower plumbing problem. If the damage is beyond your fixing capacity, you should call for a professional plumber. A thorough check might be needed in order to rule out the main problem. If the problem is the shower itself, you have to replace it with a new one.
Do not forget to close the main line first before dismantling the shower. You also need to turn off the water heater (if you are using one). After which, you can start loosening the screws with the use of the right tools. Take out each shower component carefully and be sure to replace it with the same shower type.
No matter what shower plumbing problems (i.e. shower drain plumbing) you have to deal with, it is necessary that you know what you are doing. If you have doubts, never do the repairs on your own as it might just result to a much bigger problem. Leave the job to a knowledgeable family member or you can hire a professional plumber. This way you will be guaranteed that the plumbing problem will be properly addressed.
