The average homeowner spends a significant amount of money on home maintenance, and plumbing would likely account for a portion of that. Whenever there is a plumbing issue, calling a plumber is the only option for most people, due to a lack of knowledge, and therefore confidence. When you take a look at what plumbing actually involves, it is simply a case of connecting up water pipes, and with the Internet as your guide, there is very little one cannot achieve. People with no practical experience have been known to build complete houses by following online step by step guides, and for the DIY enthusiast, a plumbing problem is certainly within their capabilities.
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Online Tutorials
YouTube, for example, has thousands of tutorials for all aspects of home maintenance, which includes plumbing, and with easy to follow video instructions, any job can be tackled. It might be changing the washer on a tap, or plumbing in a washing machine, and once you have found the right tutorial, all you need now are the essential plumbing components. If you would like some further reading, there is an online checklist for home maintenance, with a handy list of things that the average home would require over the course of a year. If the truth be known, there isn’t a domestic job that doesn’t have online tutorials, and you can tackle the job at your own pace, and there are also plumbing forums, where you can ask questions if you are really stuck.
Online Plumbing Supplies
If you have ever wondered where the plumber acquires the parts and materials he needs, the answer is online suppliers. You can buy high quality plumbing supplies online, and you will only have to pay trade prices, which is much preferred, and when you consider there is no labour cost, as you are doing it yourself, it makes for a very cheap operation. There are some companies that supply an extensive range of building materials, and once you have sources a reliable supplier, you can use them for other types of domestic repairs.
Essential Tools
Of course, you will need a decent section of tools, which would typically include the following:
- Adjustable wrench – This will grip all sized piping.
- Locking pliers – When you need to exert some force.
- Teflon tape – Essential for watertight joints.
- Needle nose pliers – To grip tiny objects.
- A Sturdy flashlight – To see in those dark corners.
One could always use a selection of screwdrivers, a good hammer, and of course, a hacksaw. These items would enable you to change a tap, or a showerhead, or even installing a new sink. A power drill would be very useful for other things, and sometimes a plumber needs to fix items to the wall, as with fitting sinks and bathtubs.
The Internet is the key to successful DIY projects, as you can not only source the essential materials online, you can also learn how to complete any plumbing operation with easy to follow guides and tutorials. All it takes is a little self-confidence and a basic set of tools, and you can join the many people who now handle their own plumbing maintenance. Anything major would likely be best left to a professional, but a leaking faucet or broken shower head can easily be handled, and you will no longer have to pay those costly call out charges whenever something small goes wrong.
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