A professional plumber can be a tremendous help when dealing with a wide variety of difficult and complex plumbing repairs. But not every repair requires the intervention of your local plumber. If you’re an avid DIYer, then there are plenty of repairs you can easily tackle on your own, saving you plenty of time and even a bit of money in the process. Here’s how you can know which problems you can fix on your own and which ones are better handled by a seasoned professional.
Problems You Can Fix on Your Own
Clogged Drains
Clogged drains are a problem you can easily tackle on your own, in most cases. Careful yet vigorous use of a plunger will typically clear a backed-up drain. If you happen to have a small plumbing snake on hand, you can also use it to bust out clogs and other obstructions that are preventing your drains from working properly.
Overflowing Toilet
If your toilet won’t stop running, you can easily stop it by closing the supply line valve located near the bottom left or right-hand corner of the toilet. Once this valve is shut off, you can pop off the toilet tank cover and take a look inside. In most cases, clearing out foreign objects and debris from the tank or simply resetting the float mechanism will solve most overflow issues.
Showerhead Replacement
Replacing a showerhead that’s leaking, clogged, or simply outlived its usefulness is another issue that can be dealt with on your own.
Leaky Faucet
A leaky faucet can be caused by a number of problems, including worn-out rubber washers, bad O-rings or a defective cartridge, depending on what type of faucet you have. Fortunately, these issues are relatively easy for the average do-it-yourselfer to solve.
Problems You Should Let a Plumber Handle
Leaky Pipes
When it comes to fixing leaky pipes, appearances can be deceiving. What looks like a relatively simple job at first glance can end up being a lot more complicated. Instead of a quick patch or a few simple turns of a pipe wrench, you could wind up with a broken pipe and untold gallons of water flooding your kitchen or bathroom. To keep things from becoming a disaster, you should play it safe and call on your plumber to tackle the job.
Shower Valve Replacement
Replacing a shower valve isn’t for the faint of heart due to its inconvenient location and the amount of effort it takes to reach it. Instead of struggling with this particular repair on your own, you’re better off leaving it in the hands of your plumber.
Sewer Main Blockages
A blockage that happens along your sewer main can keep all of your home’s drains from working properly. You’ll need a powerful mechanical snake or a hydro jet to break through the hardened fat, debris, or even tree roots that are clogging the mains. Only your plumber will have these tools on hand to take care of the problem once and for all.
Water Heater Repair
Your water heater is one appliance you’ll want to leave in the hands of an experienced plumber, whether it needs routine maintenance, repair or even replacement. Repairing or replacing a water heater on your own can be time-consuming and potentially dangerous. In most cases, you’re better off scheduling a service call from your local plumber.