While you may think that tackling a home plumbing repair job could save you money, anything that directly impacts your plumbing system is best left to experienced professionals. Plumbing repair jobs are different from your average home repair, such as fixing a loose doorknob or replacing a light bulb. A slip-up with your home’s plumbing could mean that you’ve made the initial problem worse, and it could cost you!
Some plumbing projects are OK to tackle yourself
Some plumbing jobs are given the green light for the average homeowner to handle. These include things such as installing new faucet handles, changing a showerhead, or fixing a simple clogged toilet issue.
But it’s best to seek the help of an experienced plumber for these issues.
1. Clogged drain lines
If you’ve noticed that your sink, tub, or shower isn’t draining properly, your first thought may be to run to the store to pick up a chemical clog remover or snaking device. Store-bought chemicals that claim to remove clogs may make the problem worse since they contain highly corrosive acids that may damage water lines. Snaking devices could push the clog to a spot that is more difficult to reach, or the device itself may also damage the lining of your pipes.
When you decide to use one of these repair techniques, you run the risk of causing more extensive damage to your lines.
What causes a clogged drain?
Water may not be draining properly in your bathroom or kitchen for any number of reasons. There could be an obstruction in the line, broken outside sewer lines due to root growth in the ground, or a problem with the pipe itself that may be caused by old age or the material it was made from (e.g. clay). Regardless of the problem’s cause, an experienced plumber will be able to determine the best way to fix the issue. The clog may be easy to remove, or it may take more extensive work that could require the replacement of piping.
2. Broken toilet
It may seem simple enough to replace a toilet in your home, but since this is something you and your family can’t live without for a day, it’s best to leave the repair/replacement work to a professional plumber. He or she will quickly be able to determine whether your toilet can be repaired or will require replacement.
The average homeowner may think that the job is easy and something they can handle on their own, but since toilets are complex units, you could cause a lot of damage to your bathroom. For example, if the toilet isn’t properly sealed at the base, you may have wastewater leaking out whenever someone flushes. This could cause extensive, expensive, dangerous, and disgusting damage.
What causes a broken toilet?
This common plumbing problem could be a result of a cracked unit, a clog in the pipework, or the age of the toilet itself.
How will a plumber fix a broken toilet?
He or she will inspect the toilet to determine whether it can be repaired or will require replacement. If replacement is needed, a new toilet can quickly be installed by a professional so your family won’t need to go a significant amount of time without being able to use the bathroom.
3. Problems with water pressure
If you’ve noticed that the water pressure in your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room isn’t what it should be, the issue may either require a simple fix or could be the warning sign that something more serious is going on with your plumbing system.
Many times, low water pressure issues can be taken care of by cleaning the aerator on your faucet. However, if this simple fix doesn’t take care of the problem, then something more complex may need to be addressed, such as a broken or damaged water line.
What causes low water pressure?
If your faucet aerators are dirty, it can prevent water from flowing like normal into your sink. Additionally, the problem may be caused by a deteriorating or broken water line on your property.
How will a plumber fix a low water pressure problem?
He or she will need to inspect your faucet aerators to be sure they aren’t dirty. If this doesn’t seem to be the cause of the problem, then the plumber will inspect your water lines to determine where the problem lies. They will then discuss with you the best options to take care of the issue quickly and efficiently.
4. No hot water
There’s nothing more annoying than having to take a cold shower. While it does wake you up quickly, it’s nothing you want to deal with that early in the morning!
Why do I not have hot water?
If your water doesn’t feel as warm as it should, the fix may be as simple as adjusting the temperature on your water heater. However, this cold-water problem could be the result of something more serious, such as damaged water or gas lines, or sediment build-up inside of the water heater itself. These are issues that a homeowner should NOT try to fix on their own due to how dangerous it can be.
How will a plumber fix my hot water problem?
A plumber will perform an inspection of your water heater to determine what the problem may be. If your unit is over a decade old, it may be time to consider replacement. If this is the best option for you, the plumber will help you determine what size and type of device your family will need based on your water heating needs.
Save yourself a lot of trouble by calling in the pros
Plumbing problems can be frustrating, but most of the time, their fix is simple with the help of a skilled and experienced plumber. Save yourself a lot of hassle, money, and time by allowing the experts to diagnose and treat the issue(s) in your home.