13 Common DIY Plumbing Fixes That Cause Major Water Damage

This post may contain affiliate links.

Plumbing problems can appear to be an easy fix when you have a few DIY videos. While it’s tempting to do it yourself and save some money, some repairs can get expensive and cause water damage.

You’ll find little mistakes grow on you and you’ll have more trouble than you’re prepared for. Here is a list on some common DIY plumbing projects that can go wrong.

Over-tightening Connections

Clutter Culprits Hiding in Your Living Room — Image Credit: Pikwizard

Overtightening bolts, nuts and other fittings can cause hidden leaks as well as cracking fixtures or pipes. You may not see leaks from these cracks right away, and you may not realize you have water damage until there is too much damage to your home.

Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

If you have clogged drains, they’re great, but if you use them too often they can damage your pipes. These harsh chemicals are eaten away pipes and can cause leaks that aren’t so obvious. Eventually, and always, pipe corrosion will result in significant water damage. It’s safer to take a mechanical approach to drain cleaning.

Ignoring Water Pressure Issues

A Close-Up of a Water Gauge — Photo Credit: Ekaterina Belinskaya/Pexels

Having high water pressure is a nice luxury, but it can be tough on pipes, fittings and appliances. Burst pipes and water damage happens when DIYers don’t pay attention to regulating water pressure. Installing a pressure regulator may seem easy, however it is best left to a professional. Incorrect installation can result to pressure issues.

Improperly Installing Toilets

Repairing a Running Toilet — Photo Credit: Pexels

A toilet that doesn’t set properly is a recipe for hidden leaks. It also causes mold, and there is a minor gap that allows water to seep and ruin your floors. Toilets, however, can become unsecured and shift, causing even bigger leaks. It’s a deceptively tricky job that you don’t want to mess up and risk water damage.

Not Using Teflon Tape on Threaded Connections

10 Game-Changing Discoveries Found by Accident — Image provided by: Cjp24

You need Teflon tape to seal threaded connections properly (thus preventing leaks). If you don’t wrap the threads correctly, or don’t wrap them at all, you can get a slow drip. And it is slow drips that eventually wear down a wall or a floor until they have done quite extensive water damage. This is a very important, seemingly small detail.

Trying to Move Plumbing Pipes

Although rerouting pipes seems simple, it requires complex skills and calculations. If the pipes aren’t moved properly, connections can come loose or break, resulting in a huge leak. It also risks disturbing other parts of the plumbing system, which can become a mess once that happens. Even slight errors can be disastrous unless they’re corrected by professional expertise.

Seals Misplaced or Skipping on Fixtures

DIY Home Renovation Ideas Under $5000 — Image Credit: pikwizard.com

Each faucet, sink, or pipe fixture requires rubber gaskets or silicone to prevent leaks. If DIYers forget or do them wrong, water leaks out and results in hidden water damage. Over time, it can even damage cabinetry or floors. Do not forget to double-check seals, as a missing one can cost you an expensive repair.

Using the Wrong Size Pipe Fitting

Genius Measuring Hacks Every DIY Enthusiast Needs to Try! — Image by UsKhalid via Wikimedia Commons

Even slight small discrepancies will probably lead to problems for similar-sized fittings in place of the exact matches. Gaps form where leaks can occur, even if the fitting initially feels tight. These gaps can expand under pressure, causing serious water damage. Fittings have to be precise.

Leaking Pipes Fixed with Tape or Glue

DIYers often tape or glue a leak, but it rarely lasts. It may work to stop the water at first, but it’s not durable enough to deal with long-term pressure. The good news is that leaks usually get worse over time, resulting in a greater level of water damage. To make reliable repairs, you need professional-grade materials and expertise.

Fixtures Reassembled Without Proper Tightening

Leaking Faucet — Image Credit: Nithin PA/ Pexels

You can easily forget that a snug fit is important when reassembling fixtures. Assuming a loose fit won’t matter. Improperly tightened fixtures lead to leaks that can worsen over time. Mold and water damage can happen when water seeps into walls, ceilings, or cabinetry. Tightening is the key to a watertight seal.

Trying to Fix Water Heater

According to Gigawattcorp, water heaters are complex systems that should only be repaired by professionals. Otherwise, big problems could happen. DIY repairs usually neglect important safety features, allowing high water pressure inside the tank. In the worst case, flooding is likely and would do a great deal of damage to property. Don’t tackle complex water heater repairs on your own.

The Incorrect Installation of Shower Fixtures

Things Most People Think Are Too Cheap To Buy That Can Drastically Improve Their Quality Of Life — Image Credit: Pixabay

Water can escape behind the tiles and walls if a shower fixture isn’t sealed or mounted properly. Hidden water damage occurs even with a small gap, allowing water to seep in. Eventually, this triggers mold that breaks down the bathroom’s structure. However, issues can be avoided by proper installation techniques.

Not Turning off the Main Water Valve in Your Home

Faucets on White Wall — Photo Credit: La Miko/Pexels

Forgetting to turn off the main water supply is one of the simplest but most overlooked steps, which can be disastrous. Skipping this step means DIYers may end up with a flooded room if a pipe burst or a fixture fails. This small oversight has huge consequences that can quickly spread to widespread water damage.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.