Home ownership comes with many responsibilities, many of them monetary. When you’re facing a potential problem, you’ll want to do everything in your power to fix it on your own before you need to hire a professional to fix it for you. Plumbing is one area in your home where many problems can be fixed on your own, saving you time and money. Being able to distinguish when you can fix something yourself and when you need to call a reliable plumber is an important skill to have.
Handle It Yourself
Calling a plumber out to your home can quickly become a headache, so the last thing you want is to call one out to your home when you can fix the problem yourself. There are several simple plumbing problems that are common that you can handle yourself (and save some money).
Clogged Pipes
Clogged pipes are probably the most common plumbing problem people have. A clogged toilet is fairly easy to fix. A plunger will fix nearly all clogged toilets, and a pipe snake will fix the absolute worst of them. When it comes to clogged drains, these are a bit more complicated.
If you’ve accidentally let large chunks of food or other debris down your drain, you can break it up with a drain snake. Installing a drain cover will help prevent these problems in the future. When you’re looking for solutions, steer clear of harsh drain cleaners. While they may solve the immediate problem, continued use of harsh chemicals may damage your pipes permanently.
Dripping Faucet
A dripping faucet is both an annoyance and a waste of money. The longer you let the faucet be, the higher the water bill climbs. The good thing is that, usually, the problem is really easy to fix. The O-ring is the most common culprit because it gets worn down over time as you use your faucet. This can be fixed with a quick trip to the local hardware store and following the instructions on the package. The same can be said for a leaky washer or cartridge.
Running Toilet
Similar to a dripping faucet, a running toilet can send your water bill sky high. Fixing a running toilet is simple. You can use food dye to identify the problem. The most common culprit is the rubber flap, but not always. You can buy a repair kit from your local hardware store and fix the entire thing on your own.
Hire a Plumber
Some people who can fix things on their own may think that hiring a plumber is a sign of weakness. It’s not. Unless you’re a professional plumber, there are certain times when you need to call in an expert to fix your pipes.
The Problem Is Happening Often
A pipe that gets clogged once is just a simple accident. You can fix that on your own and move on with your day. But if one of your drains is constantly clogged, despite your best effort to fix it every time it happens, it might be time for you to call in a professional. A consistent problem is most likely one of two things: the problem is deeper than you realize, or you’ve misdiagnosed the true problem. Either way, it’s time to get a professional to look at it before the problem gets worse.
Burst Pipes
This situation is the most obvious time that you need to call a professional plumber in to help fix your problem. The longer you let things sit, the more water can damage your home. This means it’ll take longer to get everything fixed, and it’ll cost more for you as well. It’s important to keep an eye out for water stains throughout your home because not every burst pipe makes a dramatic splash when it bursts. Some cause damage within the walls of your home for days before you notice anything.
No Hot Water
Having no hot water can throw a wrench in your plans at any time of day. If you’re consistently running out of hot water, that may be a sign that there’s something wrong with your water heater, which requires a technician to check it out. You also may just need to invest in a larger water heater if running out is disrupting your day. If your hot water goes out without warning, you’ll definitely need to call a technician out to fix whatever broke.
When something goes wrong with your home’s plumbing, you don’t need to pull out the checkbook immediately. Evaluate the problem and your skills, and consider fixing it yourself before spending hundreds of dollars to have someone else fix it for you.
