Common Mistakes Homeowners Make That Have Them Calling a Plumber

Plumbing emergencies can happen in any home through no fault of the homeowner, and some plumbing fixes are very simple and easy enough for any homeowner to handle on their own. However, there are some common mistakes when it comes to plumbing that many homeowners make that have them reaching for the phone for a plumber before long. Note a few of these mistakes and be sure you avoid them in your house so you don't wind up calling plumbers needlessly.

1. Hanging heavy items from the shower head

Most homeowners will have a shower caddy that they hang from the shower head, to store all their necessary bath items. While this is usually harmless, hanging very heavy items from this caddy can literally pull the pipe of the shower head right from the wall. This can also cause that pipe to pull away from connectors that keep it attached to other pipes behind the wall, causing a water leak. Avoid this by putting your heavy shower brushes, full bottles of shampoo, and other such items someplace else in the bathroom rather than storing them on this caddy.

2. Putting drain cleaner in the toilet

Plunging out a clogged toilet is no one's idea of fun, but adding drain cleaner to the toilet is not a good way to avoid this job. Drain cleaners are typically made for clogs that contain soap scum and hair, or buildup that you would get in a bathtub drain. These cleaners aren't meant to dissolve human waste and toilet tissue. The caustic nature of drain cleaner can damage the pipes behind your toilet, which can then mean a call to the plumber. Avoid this by using a plunger or sewer snake for the toilet.

3. Turning on a hot water heater too soon

If you get a new hot water heater or have repaired your heater, you may be tempted to just plug it in and turn it on. However, this can actually damage the heater as it needs to be full of water before it should work. Having the heater get hot when there is no water in the tank can cause it to burn out and damage its heating coils and other parts. When you've had to disconnect and drain your heater or are putting in a new heater, you need to wait until it's full of water before you turn it on. Otherwise, you may need to call a plumber for repairs to the unit.