One of the easiest ways to change the look and feel of a home is to change its fixtures. Those are the various assemblies and systems that deliver water for convenience, whether it is the kitchen sink, bathroom faucets or shower and tub heads, as well as utility sinks in the laundry and even outside connections. With the choices and options available today by the dozens and even hundreds, a fixture change-out can really give a home a new feel and environment, especially with some serious makeovers. It’s one of the reasons why kitchen and bathroom renovations are so popular.
Watch Out for Water Connections
However, while fixtures seem simple enough, and many offer what in essence is a victorian plumbing version of “plug and play” borrowed from the computer world, anything that connects to a water feed under pressure is a risk, especially if the connection is not installed correctly. The problem comes with the pressure; water does not compress. As a result, when under pressure, it is in a constant state looking for a way to release. This is why water comes out of faucets and showers so fast and strong. In the case of a fixture, water will squeezed out of the connection point and parts if they are not connected and sealed right. And that creates leaks which lead to dry rot, mold and other problems over time.
Many fixtures sold at hardware stores practically market themselves as easy to install, and there are plenty of videos online as well as guides on how to do the work. The problem is not with understanding these instructions. Many are very clear. Instead, concerns arise due to the fact that homes are different, and not every installation works exactly the same. Additionally, homeowners and handyman types don’t necessarily know to look for all the risks and safety issues in a connection that a trained and licensed plumber has to confirm are taken care of. So, things can be missed, which leads to leaks and water damage.
Professional Installation
Professional plumbing fixture installers involve a comprehensive approach toward making sure new fixtures are placed correctly and in working order. That includes checking the water lines and plumbing that will be connected and making sure other problems are not happening as well. It’s quite possible for a new fixture with heavier flow to create a change that affects older plumbing. Testing and ensuring the new system doesn’t create a secondary, unexpected problem is the kind of thing licensed plumbers and fixture installers know to look for in the process.
Additionally, it’s quite common for installations to require changes, additional parts, and modifications. Not everything fits the way it was designed at a factory five, especially in homes that already have changes or older plumbing than the designs expected with modern fixtures. A common issue that comes up is with the connection points; many fixtures used a specific size screw-on connection securing system. Older plumbing may have different sized connection points, and adapters are then needed. Plumbers know to expect these challenges and frequently bring adapters with them based on the age of the home involved.
Don’t Risk Your Home
If you’re considering a significant fixture change, or anything associated with a water line under pressure, it’s a smart move to ask for help from a plumber. Again, there are so many nuances to plumbing, it’s easy for the average person to miss a detail that can end up leading to a damaging leak. Not only is a licensed plumber trained to avoid these mistakes, the work is backed up by professional protections as well if, in the odd situation, something does go wrong. This is particularly important when dealing with a significant fixture change-outs, remodeling, installation of large systems like sinks and shower/tub rooms and more.
