1. Try the simplest solution first and then work up the hard stuff. Don’t take the roof apart if you just need to change shingles.
2. Study the project thoroughly before you dive in. Going step by step through each phase on the job will save time and give you the result you want. Prepare the shopping list so you won’t have to run to the store at 9.30 on a Sunday evening.
3. Wear safety glasses and gloves. Taking the proper safety precautions when you do plumbing work is essential to you and your family’s well-being.
4. Map your plumbing layout. Knowing where everything is will speed up your reaction time in emergency and may save on expensive repairs and replacements.
5. Build a tool kit – one tool at a time. Adding specialty tools you your basic kit will allow you to tackle more complicated projects, which will help you save time and money.
6. Keep a repair and maintenance log. If you know what you’ve done and when you did it, you will keep home running smoothly and you will eliminate some big surprises along the way.
7. Stick with code. Building and plumbing codes aren’t in place to make your life miserable; they are there to make the systems in your home operate safely and efficiently. Follow them carefully.
8. Get advice from experts. Home centers and plumbing suppliers are more than places to buy washers and P-traps; take advantage of years of practical experience of walking on the sales floor.
9. Buy the best fixtures and materials you can afford. It’s a fact that you get what you pay for – the better the fixture, the longer it will last and the less amount of time you will spend maintaining it.
10. Don’t put off minor repairs. What could have been a simple fix like replacing a leaking faucet can become a major ( and expensive) headache over time.
11. Call in a pro when the water’s over your head. Know your skill level and don’t attempt jobs you are not prepared for.
12. Rent the big tools on a job-by-job basis. There’s no point in spending the money on a tool like a commercial drain auger if you are only going to use it once.