Every homeowner out there is bound to find himself faced with a plumbing issue at one point or another in time. Whether the problem is major or not that big a deal, the presence of a plumbing issue can stress and aggravate a homeowner so much that he spends more money than he’d like to on getting it repaired. Then again, not all plumbing problems require the help of a professional. When minor plumbing issues arise, it’s natural for a homeowner — especially one who considers himself rather handy — to attempt to tackle the problem himself.
Of course, part of the problem with this approach is that some homeowners tend to overestimate their abilities when it comes to the plumbing aspect of home repair (sorry men, we’re talking about you). What often happens is that in an attempt to fix a problem on his own, an overzealous (and often stubborn) homeowner will actually make the problem worse, thereby causing himself to spend even more money on the repair job than he would’ve had he called a plumber in the first place.
The question is: Which plumbing issues fall under the “do it yourself” category, and which ought to be reserved for the true professionals? Walter Tulecki of WT Mechanical say that when it comes to plumbing issues, it’s important for homeowners to know what they may attempt and what they should not tackle. The following are a few items that the average homeowner can fix himself before calling for help:
Leaky faucets
Not only are leaky faucets often annoying, they can costing you money by wasting water over time. Since leaky faucets are relatively easy to repair, most homeowners can attempt to fix them on their own. These days, home repair and improvement stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot sell just about everything needed to tackle simple plumbing issues, and since faucet repair is limited to the single area under the affected sink, homeowners won’t have to worry about large-scale consequences in the event that their fix-it attempts result in failure.
Clogged toilets
Toilet issues are rather widespread in the grand scheme of plumbing problems. Depending on the plumbing at hand, it can be all too easy to clog up a toilet. Fortunately, a clogged toilet is something that the average homeowner can usually tackle himself. After all, if a quick plunging session is all it takes to do the trick, then it’s silly to call in a plumber and pay the big bucks in the process.
Clogged drains
Unless the problem is chronic or ongoing, homeowners can usually feel free to attempt to unclog their own drains. Sometimes all it takes is a product like Drano to get the job done; other times, you might have to physically go in there and clear out the clog. Clogged shower drains are actually a common problem among households. Often, water will accumulate at the bottom of a shower because the drain is clogged with hair. Fortunately, that is something that you, the homeowner, can easily clean out yourself.
When to call in the pros
But, no matter how adventurous you happen to be feeling on the plumbing repair front, never attempt to tackle any of the following problems yourself:
- Issues involving the main water line
- Problems with water heaters or heating systems
- Water heater or heating and cooling system installation
- Gas issues
- Electrical matters relating to heating and cooling systems
Only individuals with the proper training are equipped to handle such items. By dealing with these issues on our own, you could put your household – and yourself – at risk.
While the average homeowner can certainly try to fix certain plumbing issues himself, that doesn’t mean that every individual will be successful in every repair attempt. When approaching a plumbing issue, it helps to try to be realistic about your own abilities. Some people are just handier than others, and it’s perfectly okay to be one of those people whose talents in life don’t fall under the umbrella of “home repair.” Remember, when it comes to plumbing issues, sometimes it pays to bring in a plumber and pay the extra money rather than run the risk of making the problem – and your personal aggravation quotient – a whole lot worse.
