Like every other project you do at home, you should also practice safety when working on your plumbing system and its fixtures. Here are a few safety tips you should consider when working on your plumbing system without professional help.
Wear Safety Glasses or Shield Your Eyes
Anytime you are working on a project that requires working with tools you should always protect your eyes. Using the proper safety glasses will make the job easier when you are having to drill, saw, hammer, file down pipes, or even when you are cleaning a drain with a snake. Safety glasses prevent debris from getting stuck in your eyes which can cause permanent damage.
Cover Your Hands
Like wearing glasses to protect your eyes, you should also remember to wear gloves to protect your hands and skin. There are a lot of factors to consider that can damage your skin when working on plumbing. Between chemicals, cleaners, glue, and materials you may find in the drain it’s better to protect your skin than to leave your hands fully exposed. It is also recommended when you are using chemicals to clean your drain or using a drain snake to wear an additional layer of protection under your gloves. We recommend wearing a pair of latex gloves under your regular gloves to protect your hands from additional chemicals that may seep through.
Work with a Partner
You always should work with a partner whenever you work on plumbing projects. Having someone help with plumbing projects adds an additional set of eyes that ultimately create a safer working environment. It also helps to have someone help with turning main water valves on or off, helping with cleaning out drains, or if a leak occurs.
Never Do the Following:
Wear Safety Glasses or Shield Your Eyes
Anytime you are working on a project that requires working with tools you should always protect your eyes. Using the proper safety glasses will make the job easier when you are having to drill, saw, hammer, file down pipes, or even when you are cleaning a drain with a snake. Safety glasses prevent debris from getting stuck in your eyes which can cause permanent damage.
Cover Your Hands
Like wearing glasses to protect your eyes, you should also remember to wear gloves to protect your hands and skin. There are a lot of factors to consider that can damage your skin when working on plumbing. Between chemicals, cleaners, glue, and materials you may find in the drain it’s better to protect your skin than to leave your hands fully exposed. It is also recommended when you are using chemicals to clean your drain or using a drain snake to wear an additional layer of protection under your gloves. We recommend wearing a pair of latex gloves under your regular gloves to protect your hands from additional chemicals that may seep through.
Work with a Partner
You always should work with a partner whenever you work on plumbing projects. Having someone help with plumbing projects adds an additional set of eyes that ultimately create a safer working environment. It also helps to have someone help with turning main water valves on or off, helping with cleaning out drains, or if a leak occurs.
Never Do the Following:
- Misuse Plumbing Tools: Tools are made to perform specific jobs. Not using them properly can result in broken tools or you are harming yourself. Always inspect the tools you are using beforehand, and only use them for their intended use.
- Ignoring Chemical Smells: When you are performing maintenance on your plumbing system, never ignore funny smells. Weird smells are a great indicator that you may be experiencing pipe blockage. These smells could also indicate gas leaks. If you do not feel safe evacuate the home and call your gas company for further assistance.
