We are fortunate that we can take indoor plumbing for granted. Though because we do take it so much for granted, we are rarely prepared for when it has a major problem. No one wants to be taking a shower when the water supply breaks, or have the hot water heater fail. And you know you do not want to find out the bathroom is out of order when you or someone in your household needs to go. How would you feel? You’re brushing your teeth and when you open the faucet, it breaks and boom, water is pouring all over the place. These occasions are not only stressful for you but everyone involved.
Sounds funny, when it happens in a movie but when it happens in real life it is a real mess, and unfortunately things like this happen all the time. Some may even have a worse experience than this with their plumbing if things go really wrong. If you are in this situation, can you fix it on your own? Or do you need to immediately call a plumber? You need to weigh things first before making a wise decision in this regard because it involves time, energy, money, and your safety. Small things you can look at fixing on your own first, where with bigger jobs it would be smart to call a professional for. Even though a professional costs a lot up front, they may save money in the long run on damages caused by things like a small, forgotten drip.
Sometimes plumbing problems are simple enough that even inexperienced people can easily handle them, given all the practical online guides and tutorials for pipe repair, sink repair, clog repair, and toilet repair to name a few. But if you are uncertain what to do, it’s better to seek the services of a plumber. The following are some points for you to ponder when it comes to getting professional help.
- Main Line Stoppage – You may want to do it by yourself but this usually requires special equipment. Most of the time homeowners don’t have such equipment. Perhaps you may consider renting equipment but if you don’t have experience with it, it’s not advisable to do so. A local plumber can definitely help you with this.
- Clogged Drains – This is a typical plumbing repair that you can do even without the help of a plumber. But after you have done everything to clear your kitchen sink or bathroom sink with the use of a drain cleaner yet the clog remains, maybe that’s the time to call a plumber to avoid additional damage. You don’t want to make the situation worse, right?
- Frozen Pipes – If this happens, you may simply close the central water regulator and open a nearby faucet before attempting to defrost the pipe. Carefully check if it has already burst or cracked. If this is the case, you better hire a plumber. If not, the safest way to thaw the pipe is just a hair dryer or heat gun. Another option is the use of propane torch but you must do so with proper caution to avoid accident. If you want to play safe, even if it’s not yet burst or cracked, some plumbers may simply advise to replace the frozen pipe rather than merely thaw it. Ideally, pipes will be protected from frost exposure to begin with.
- Sump Pumps – Generally these are installed in basements to avoid water leaking or overflowing of water into the basement. This home improvement can also be considered a major job because it involves drilling a hole into the basement floor in which a drainage line is set up. Obviously this can’t just be done by anybody without proper training.
In as much as you want to get everything properly done, you have to consider the pros and cons of doing the plumbing repairs by yourself. If you think you can really do even the complex repairs, just be careful. And use your own judgment on what jobs you feel comfortable tackling yourself, just know that a job incorrectly done could lead to problems down the road.
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