Not all plumber emergencies are made equal, but they’re all equally annoying to deal with. Our drainage systems are an important part of our homes. If we have a plumbing emergency, it’s as if we lost a limb – we can’t function well.
Thankfully, most homeowners can handle a majority of plumbing repairs. However, how do you know which plumbing problems you should tackle on your own and which ones you should leave to better-equipped individuals?
With our help, you’ll learn the limitations of DIY solutions for certain plumbing emergencies to avoid making the problem worse.
When To Hire a Professional Plumber
Calling in an expert to deal with piping work isn’t always necessary unless you’re dealing with these kinds of plumbing troubles:
Burst Pipes
When a pipe bursts, don’t ever think about getting your toolbox. Your first instinct should be to call your local handyman. These issues require immediate shutoff and professional repair to prevent a larger mess.
Sewer Line Backups
If your drains are overflowing with sewage odor, you have a blockage. This requires specialized equipment and expertise.
Leaking Water Heater
It may seem easy to do, but it’s not. Water heaters are a hazard for you and your property. Trying to DIY this job puts you at risk of scalding. Your property might also get damaged if you don’t know what you’re doing. This can drive the costs of repair higher. You need a seasoned drain specialist to properly assess the damage and see if they can still repair it or you’ll have to buy a replacement unit.
No Water
Losing water pressure at home can put you in a pickle. This isn’t a minor complication. It’s a symptom or a sign of a bigger job. In any case, the standard homeowner can’t diagnose and repair this plumbing situation.
Clogged Drains With Extensive Blockage
If your plunger can’t unclog your drains or if your drains are clogged often, it’s no longer an isolated problem. This will require special tools that can reach deep into drainages for proper and safe declogging.
Minor Plumbing Fixes You Can DIY
H2: Minor Plumbing Fixes You Can DIY
The average individual can fix certain types of waterworks using basic tools and knowledge.
Three examples of DIY-friendly minor plumbing fixes include:
- Clogged sink drains – You can use a plunger to unclog your toilet or sink drain. In worse cases, you can purchase a drain snake. However, you should be careful. Improper use of drain snakes can damage your piping.
- Leaking faucet – This is a simple fix that might require you to replace the washer or cartridge. Sometimes, all you need to do is to tighten a pipe.
- Running toil – Using a screwdriver, you can stop the running water by adjusting the flapper or refill valve. You might need to replace either or both, which should be easy enough to do.
Why You Should Hire a Licensed Plumbing Contractor
Hiring a licensed drainage professional is expensive, but there are several benefits to paying a premium upfront for their top-quality services, such as:
- Quicker resolution
- Prevention of future problems
- Guaranteed expertise and experience
- Lower risk of causing additional problems
- Safety
In contrast, trying to fix a plumbing issue yourself can cost you more in terms of time and money. If you’re unfamiliar with piping work, you’ll have to spend time learning how your system is designed. In addition to this, if you don’t have the necessary tools, you’ll need to go out and buy them. Finally, you risk damaging your piping and getting injured.
All of these cost time, money, and effort. You don’t always have all three. You have a job and a family to worry about.
Ultimately, when you have piping and drain experts come, you’re paying for your peace of mind.
A veteran in the piping industry can make easy work of a complication that could have cost you hours of your precious time. Hiring a plumbing contractor can make it easier for you to sleep at night knowing that your piping repair work was done right by someone who knows what they are doing.
Say Goodbye To That Plumbing Emergency Today
It’s nice to be handy around the house. It’s better to know your limits. DIY plumbing repairs can only do so much. Your tools, knowledge, and experience aren’t always enough for a particular job.
It’s not the end of the world if you call a plumber today to take care of your plumbing emergency.
Here at Discount Plumbing San Diego, we recommend our clients to have us on speed dial. This way, we can respond quickly to calls at any time of the day. With our 24/7 emergency services at affordable prices, you can trust us to ensure your drainage flows smoothly as if it never had a problem.