Drip. Drip. Drip. It’s the last sound you ever want to have to keep you up at night. Not only does that leak spell potential plumbing problems, but it’s going to cost you now or later.
Plumbing calls cost approximately $331 on average. If you feel handy enough, you can take on some of your own plumbing projects to cost costs and take care of your property.
But how do you know whether to go DIY or hire a pro?
These tips will help you know when to call a plumber and when to do it yourself.
DIY Plumbing
If you’re so inclined, there are some projects where it’s perfectly OK to do it yourself. These projects are low risk and easier for someone without plumbing repair experience to handle.
Here are some of the things to consider:
Minor Plumbing Fixture Repairs
There are several minor plumbing fixes that you can handle on your own. This includes things like changing the chain in your toilet, swapping out shower heads, and snaking a minor sink clog.
A trip to the hardware store and a few YouTube videos might be all you need to get the job done. This saves you the trouble of having to call a plumber, and the work will inevitably also be less expensive.
Consider the magnitude of the work before hiring a plumber and decide whether it constitutes a minor or major repair.
General Maintenance and Troubleshooting
There are also some general maintenance steps that’ll keep your plumbing in tip-top shape. You can do things like tightening your faucets, using a plunger on your drain, inspecting your drain for leaks with the food coloring test, and installing mesh covers over your drain.
These are projects that don’t cost you a lot and will help you make sure that your plumbing is working the way that it should. You’ll give yourself a shot at keeping up with your plumbing for the next several years and can make owning these fixtures less expensive because they’ll work better.
Always Be Honest About Your Capability
The most important thing you can do is take an honest assessment of your handy abilities. It’s one thing to be ambitious, but you will end up spending more money and creating bigger messes if you bite off more than you can chew.
Even worse, you might find yourself with unusable plumbing fixtures in the meantime. If the project seems too daunting or time consuming, don’t hesitate to call a plumber instead.
When to Call a Plumber
So, when is it best to hire a plumber? Working with professional plumbers is almost always the best course of action to take when you’re having any sort of issues.
Consider these points and decide against the DIY route if this is what you’re facing:
The Plumbing Work Needed Is Extensive
There are several plumbing projects that you should leave to a licensed professional. Things like pipe bursts, plumbing system backups, and installing new plumbing fixtures are chief among these.
Even some seemingly simple repairs affect your plumbing more than you think and require the help of an experienced professional. For instance, you should almost always hire the help of a professional plumber to fix clogs in your home.
The clog might affect your water pressure and different parts of your plumbing system more than you can immediately tell.
Hire a Plumber for Detailed Inspections
It’s always best to have a plumber inspect your system no less than once per year. This lets you know the condition that your systems are in, and whether or not you need more serious service.
It’s better to hire a pro for inspections rather than making this a DIY plumbing repair since they have years of experience and a skilled eye. They’ll be able to catch serious issues and let you know what kind of work you need to get done to manage your plumbing.
Hiring a professional for an inspection lets you keep your plumbing working through all seasons, particularly the wintertime when things like frozen pipes are faulty water heaters are commonplace.
Emergency Plumbing Situations
Your plumbing problems are definitely out of your hands when they catch you off guard and have the potential to create serious damage. Plumbing emergencies require the help of a contractor who can handle these most pressing problems.
They can assist with things like pipe bursts, damage to the water line, water heater breakdowns during the winter, and septic issues. Contacting a plumber as soon as the emergency arises can help you mitigate the issue and save some money overall.
This might also involve an insurance claim, so get in touch with your homeowner’s plan provider to get the process started.
Call a Plumber to Get Help
Don’t wait too long to call a plumber when you’re in need of professional assistance. When you find a plumber that does excellent work, your home will be taken care of.
It’s important to use some discretion so that you know when you can do it yourself and when you should hire professionals instead. Working with plumbers can benefit you by making sure you get the best service to maintain the function and structural integrity of your home.
If you’re in the Plainfield area and need help, Leto Plumbing & Heating Inc. can assist you with your plumbing service. To schedule an appointment for service, contact us today.
