Dads are the strongest, smartest, funniest men alive, at least according to their families. To children, their dad can do no wrong. As we grow, we learn a lot from our dads. We learn how to throw a baseball, how to ride a bike, and how to drive a car. Sometimes, our dads even teach us how not to do something.
In honor of Father’s Day, let’s look back at some of the home improvement jobs that may not have gone dad’s way. Plumbing dad isn’t always right, and sometimes the most important lesson we can learn from him is when to ask for help.
The Correct Way to Install Toilets
Installing a toilet isn’t brain surgery, but it’s not always simple either. If your dad remembered to drain the water before he did anything else, then he at least crossed the first hurdle.
After removing the toilet, a professional will take advantage of the opportunity to inspect the floor under the toilet to check for damage. If your dad overlooks this step, he could be creating a health and safety hazard.
Not only could there be water damage weakening the floor, but mold and mildew could have taken root. If dad doesn’t replace wet flooring before installing a new toilet, it’ll be tough to attach the new fixture securely. Water can warp wooden floorboards so that the new fixture won’t sit flush.
A wobbly toilet is awkward to use, plus it can compromise the toilet’s wax seal over time. Even if the toilet is leak-free when your dad installs it, it can begin to leak as the wax seal weakens. A leaky toilet leads to lots of other issues, so it’s best to hire a professional.
Avoiding Leaky Pipes
Dads love duct tape, there’s no doubt about it. While duct tape works great for mending broken plant limbs, catching bugs, and patching tent holes, it’s not the right tool for every job. Though plumbing dad might be tempted to wrap a leaky pipe in duct tape and walk away, his solution is temporary at best.
If he doesn’t fully repair the leak, water will soon break through the tape and start causing damage again. Leaking pipes can drive up your water bill, but that’s often the least concerning issue you’ll face. Leaky pipes will cause water damage to the cabinets, floors, and drywall.
It can become a health hazard if mold and mildew start to grow. If elevated pressure inside the pipe caused the leak, sealing it with duct tape won’t prevent the inevitable flood. Eventually, the pressure will become so great that the pipe will rupture, and then it’ll be a costly repair. Leaks are symptoms of a larger issue, so ignoring them is never the right choice.
Drain Snaking
Plumbers often rely on drain snakes to clear tough clogs, but well-meaning dads who try to do their snaking can end up damaging their plumbing.
Snakes can bang against the inside of pipes and create little scratches, which can rust or crack over time. If your home’s pipes aren’t in great shape, snaking can cause issues that are far worse than a ball of hair, slowing the water flow.
Your dad could accidentally drill a hole in a weak pipe or collapse it by accident. Both of those are much more intense repairs than hiring a professional to do the snaking.
Dad Knows Best
Even the best dads make mistakes, but what makes them so wonderful is that they learn from their missteps and share those lessons with their kids. This Father’s Day remind your dad about his comical fails, and then thank him for teaching you that it’s smart to ask for help when you need it.