While many home maintenance issues can and should be left to the professionals, being able to follow a set of instructions for those small DIY jobs might just be a life saver in one’s time of need. Unfortunately, tackling these projects yourself can also wreak havoc on your home. To take out some of that stressful guesswork, we’ve compiled a list of common DIY plumbing mistakes made by average homeowners. Excessive Use of Drain Cleaner While harsh chemicals can occasionally be beneficial to remove that dirty food smell from the sink, using these as one’s first resort can do more harm to the home – and body – than good. The main rise for concern regarding drain chemicals is inhalation or accidental ingestion. While it might seem like common sense for most people to avoid ingesting cleaning chemicals, oftentimes people do not consider that their hands may contribute to chemical poisoning, and neglecting to wash your hands before touching food, your skin, or common surfaces c
With spring upon us, it's important to make sure that your plumbing system in your home or business is ready for the new season! Here are some of the things you can do to get your pipes ready for the spring showers. If you have a sump pump in your home you should check this at the beginning of each spring as the heavy rainfall associated with the season can bring extra pressure on your pump. This weather also means it is important to check your gutters and downspouts. Keeping these free of debris will ensure a steady flow of the melting snow and rain off of your roof and into the ground away from your home. Leaks throughout the home are another important thing to check for at the beginning of spring. Outdoor pipes and faucets are prone to freezing and breaking during the cold winter months. You should inspect these to ensure they are working properly, especially after the first time using the outdoor faucets this year. If you find water in your home after using it, you likely ha