Tackling your own home improvements and repairs sounds like a great way to save money. You don’t have to pay for professional plumbing services, you can work at your own pace, and you feel a sense of accomplishment once the job is done. Unfortunately, there are some instances when taking on a project by yourself really isn’t recommended.
In fact, attempting to fix your own plumbing and sewer problems could end up making them worse and more expensive to fix. Some plumbing and sewer repairs simply call for a professional, and even if you’re fairly handy you need to be able to recognize these situations.
Problems You Can Handle Yourself
As difficult and complicated as some plumbing issues can be, there are still some that you can handle yourself. The most common plumbing problem you will encounter is a clogged drain. This is usually caused by hair, soap and other materials being washed down the drain, and it’s fairly easy to fix. Most of the time, all it takes is a plunger, a plastic zip-it plumbing tool (basically a cheap version of a plumbing snake) or a drain cleaner if things are really severe. Clogs that are caused by something lodged deeper in your pipes will call for a plumber, but if a plunger, zip-it tool or drain cleaner can be used to clear a clog, there is usually no need to call a plumber.
A running toilet is also fairly easy to fix by yourself. It usually involves replacing the flapper, the part that allows the water in the toilet to drain and refill the bowl. This can usually be replaced for about $5. You may also need to clean mineral deposits from the inside of the tank to properly fix the problem, a task that can be accomplished with a solution of boiling water, vinegar and baking soda.
When to Call a Professional Plumbing Service
A clogged drain or running toilet is easy enough to fix by yourself, but there are a lot of other problems that will require you to call a professional plumber. A leaking pipe is one example of something you shouldn’t try to fix yourself. You may be able to come up with a quick fix with some duct tape, but in most cases a leaky pipe will have to be replaced, and for that you should at least speak to a professional to ensure that the correct pipe is installed. It is very easy to use the wrong sized pipe or one that could corrode easily.
You should also call a professional whenever you have a problem with your home sewer line. Sewer lines are deep enough to be all but inaccessible to the average homeowner, and clogged or damaged lines are often too difficult for a DIY project. You may need to have tree branches, dead animals or other obstructions that simply won’t respond to the kinds of caustic chemicals used to clear most of your home’s pipes and drains.
Finally, you should never attempt any problems that may involve hot water pipes. These issues are simply too dangerous to handle without the proper training and equipment.
When it comes to plumbing and sewer repair, it is usually best to call a professional rather than try to tackle the problem by yourself. There are some simple problems that a handy homeowner can fix, but when you don’t know what to do it is best to err on the side of caution and call a professional instead. For plumbing services or sewer repair throughout the Pittsburgh area, there is no better company than Mister Sewer. At Mister Sewer, our team of professional plumbers works to come up with efficient solutions to all of the common household plumbing problems, saving you time and money. Let us keep your home’s plumbing running in ship-shape, contact Mister Sewer today!