Do you have a leaky sink or faulty faucet? Should you call a professional plumber to fix it, or should you do it yourself with simple tools? The answer is not always clear-cut.
You may have a straightforward plumbing issue that requires basic plumbing tools and minimal effort. If you have a clear idea of what needs to be done, then go right ahead.
Before you delve deep into plumbing works, try answering these questions,
- Do I know what I’m going to do?
- Have I got all the tools I need?
- Do I have experience getting this done?
- How much time do I have to fix the issue?
- Is the problem an emergency?
Answering these questions, you may find that you don’t need a plumber for every minor issue, such as a leaky faucet fix. You can save yourself a lot of cash with DIY. Let’s look at some DIY plumbing tasks you can try at your home.
Try these simple DIY plumbing jobs
- Installing a faucet or fixing a leaky one
- Clearing everyday clogs
- Stopping a running toilet
- Replacing the water valve or the master shut-off valve
- Adjusting the water pressure in your shower
- Repairing the garbage disposal
- Fixing a leaky pipe
- Fixing a clogged drain
- Thawing out a frozen pipe
- Removing the moldy caulk in the tub and recaulking
Common tools required for DIY plumbing tasks
Go to the hardware store, pick the basic tools and do it yourself. Take a note of the list of necessary plumbing tools to fix the minor issues on your own.
- Plunger
- Hand auger
- Tongue and groove pliers
- Adjustable wrench
- Pipe wrench
- Allen wrench
- Screwdriver
- Plumber’s tape
The internet has got your back! Watch DIY and how-to videos as much as you want. Practice simple plumbing jobs. However, take note that most videos are posted by experts who are capable of completing complicated tasks in under an hour.
If you want to do complex tasks, you need practice. DIY videos don’t reveal the difficulty involved in completing a plumbing task in reality. Instead, they show a temporary solution without addressing the actual cause of the repair. So, when a task seems beyond your grasp, it is always better to not rely on DIY videos and hire a pro.
Advantages of hiring a plumber
Get a stress-free service
You may take hours or days to figure out the cause of some complicated issues. Even if you have ample time to repair, it might be out of your comfort zone. Just because you have some experience fixing things, doesn’t mean you have to handle a complicated plumbing task yourself. If you want a stress-free experience, call a local licensed plumber. Sit back and let them take care of it.
Even the most complicated plumbing issue doesn’t take half a day for a pro. Many think that hiring plumbers is expensive thing about the plumber salary instead think about how quick your problem can be resolved. The speed at which the service is done makes it worth every penny.
Get an ultimate solution
Your DIY plumbing won’t last long. When you try to fix it, you may not be aware of the root cause of the problem. You may overlook hidden damages or it may take days to spot them.
A plumbing service pro, on the other hand, will have the necessary skills and training to complete any plumbing projects, and they apply best practices for providing quick solutions. Try to avoid hiring plumbers in a hurry. Always check for their licensing and experience before you hire them for a job.
Seek a professional plumbing service company’s help to find a pro for you and get an end-to-end solution. They will have the necessary practical expertise to execute the task with excellent quality and safety. Also, reputed plumbing institutions are known for their first-time fix rate. While they may be a tad bit on the expensive side, the chances of revisits are slim to none.
Stay protected
Getting services from an uninsured service pro has its fair share of consequences. For instance, if the plumber accidentally breaks a pipeline and damages the plumbing system, you may end up paying a lot to fix the damages.
Also, if the plumber is injured on the job, you may become responsible to dish out medical compensation. So, before hiring a plumber, check whether or not he is insured. If you hire a professional plumbing service company, check their website for insurance related information before you proceed further.
All reputable plumbing service companies ensure their employees have general liability insurance and worker’s compensation to compensate for the plumbing system damages at their customer’s premises.
Reduce the risk of hidden issues
When you try resolving plumbing tasks yourself, you may miss out on minor issues, which can probably worsen the situation in the future. In the long run, minor plumbing problems can grow bigger and severe, putting a big dent in your budget.
A skilled plumber can spot minor plumbing troubles from a mile away. When you consider the long run, hiring a service professional who can diagnose your plumbing problems perfectly, identify and resolve hidden plumbing problems in one go.
Go legal
Checking the plumber’s license is recommended to minimize the risks of hiring an unqualified plumber. Plumbing repairs by an unlicensed plumber can result in property damage and severe injury. Verify the plumber’s license to minimize such risks and ensure quality service.
Also, a licensed plumber will have the necessary permits required to make the home improvement and plumbing projects work in your home. If you try DIY plumbing, it will have to face flooded homes and expensive lawsuits.
Some critical plumbing repairs like remodeling bathrooms, replacing underground piping, and repairing pipes in the wall require plumbing permits as per government regulations. Also, the permit acts as proof of insurance to help protect you when something goes wrong in a plumbing project.
Conclusion
While DIY plumbing tasks may seem like fun at last, some plumbing issues demand expertise and experience. Even seasoned plumbers have trouble tackling complex plumbing tasks. So, whenever a plumbing task seems complex, avoid DIY and hire a seasoned plumber.
Although plumbing services may appear costly at a glance, it’s wise and worthwhile to hire a professional for tackling complex plumbing tasks. Get worry-free plumbing service by hiring skilled and licensed plumbing professionals.
If you are a plumbing enthusiast who loves to keep yourself up-to-date on what goes on in the plumbing industry then keep an eye on our plumbing industry blogs.
