Wrench It Up > Academy > DIY > 7 Plumbing Tricks Of The Trade For Weekend Plumbers
More than any other type of home improvement job, plumbing can drive a DIYer crazy. Problems arise, projects grow, frustrations multiply. Even pros are not immune. But one way to manage the frustrations and achieve a successful plumbing project is to allow plenty of time – at least twice as much time as you think the project should take. Another smart step is to learn some tricks of the trade. Here are a few of our favorites.
1. Reheat Solder When You Can’t Cut a Pipe
The best way to disconnect a soldered pipe is to cut it. But sometimes you can’t—either because you can’t get a cutting tool into the space or because cutting would leave the pipe too short to make a new connection. The solution is to heat the joint and pull off the fitting as the solder melts.
Have a wet rag handy and immediately wipe away the molten solder before it hardens. (Wear gloves to prevent burning your fingers!) Sometimes a quick wipe will leave the pipe ready for a new fitting. More likely, you will have to scour off some excess solder with sandpaper or emery cloth before you can slip on a new fitting.
2. Replace Metal Drain Lines with Plastic
Metal drain lines under sinks look a lot more reliable than plastic. But plastic is better in almost every way. It is cheaper, easier to install, and easier to adjust or tighten if a leak develops. And unlike metal, plastic will not corrode. So when a metal drain leaks, often the smartest move is to replace the entire assembly with plastic.
3. Loosen Stuck Pipes with Heat
When a threaded connection will not budge, heat sometimes does the trick, especially on ancient connections that were sealed with pipe dope that hardened over time. Be patient. Getting the metal hot enough can take a couple of minutes. Protect nearby surfaces with a flame-resistant cloth. This method is for water and waste pipes only, never for gas or fuel lines.
4. Piggyback Stubborn Shutoffs
Shutoff valves under sinks and toilets have a rotten reliability record. Sometimes they will not close completely; sometimes they will not close at all. In either case, there is an alternative to replacing the shutoff. Most home centers carry “piggyback” shutoff valves that connect to existing shutoffs. Just disconnect the supply line and install the new valve (a new supply line is a good idea, too). If the old shutoff closes most of the way, you will not even have to turn off the main water valve; just set a container under the valve to catch the trickle while you work.
5. Fix a Clog in Seconds
Before you run a drain snake into a clogged pipe or disassemble the trap, there are a few other tricks worth trying: Often, you can yank out a clog with a flexible-shaft pick-up tool or a Zip-It. Likewise, a wet/dry vacuum just might suck out the clog.
6. Do not Overtighten Supply Lines
It is tempting to crank supply lines on tight, just to be safe. But overtightening supply lines is actually riskier than under-tightening. A loose connection that leaks is easy to tighten, but overtightening can wreck rubber seals and crack the threaded nuts. So get into this habit: Make the connections at both ends of the supply line finger-tight, then give them another one-eighth to one-quarter turn with pliers. If they leak, snug them up a little more.
7. Do not Reuse Supply Lines
When you are replacing a toilet or a faucet, you can save a few bucks by reusing the old flexible supply lines. But do not. Plastic degrades over time, and even a small leak can lead to catastrophic water damage. It is a small risk, but not one worth taking. Buy new lines that are encased in braided stainless steel; they are much less likely to burst. But even if you already have braided lines that are several years old, replace them.
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