When it comes to plumbing work at home like minor leaks or faucet replacement, some homeowners decide to do it themselves. Most people have the necessary skills in plumbing and fixing home appliances. And having these skills is very practical because it saves them the expenses of hiring a plumber.
But sometimes, DIY plumbing won’t cut it. There are some fixes and repairs you’re not well-versed to handle. If you’re not familiar with the job, you might end up damaging it even more. Sometimes, calling a professional becomes a necessity.
Professional plumbers have licenses. They acquired these by undergoing specific tests that measure their ability to do plumbing work. A licensed plumber is someone skilled enough to fix problems way beyond minor leaks and slight fixes.
Know when you can do the work yourself and when you have to hire a professional plumber.
When to DIY
Some plumbing work is easy enough to do on your own. You don’t need a professional plumber if the problem is not too serious. When only minor repairs are required, you can DIY. Simple tasks like unclogging a drain, fixing a leaking faucet, or installing a new shower head are things that can be done with the help of tutorials or user manual instructions.
Check plumbing regulations in your State. Some plumbing work is required by law to be done by a licensed professional. So before doing your plumbing work, no matter how easy it may seem, check if you’re allowed by the rules to DIY.
When to hire a professional plumber
More complicated matters should require the services of a professional plumber. Don’t try to put this kind of work into your own hands. Even if you think you know what to do, the issue may be more complex than you think. It’s best to get help from a professional plumber who’s more knowledgeable and skilled to take on the task.
- Renovations. If you’re undergoing renovations for your home and might need to move around some pipes or expand your plumbing system, you need a professional to help. This would involve removing and reinstalling some important parts, which need to be done correctly. Professional pipe cutting equipment or hacksaws will also be essential, and only a professional would know how to use them. Some equipment would require licenses before they can be used.
- External plumbing. External plumbing work goes beyond the four corners of your home. Sometimes, the problem is not on your end but stems from the underground major city lines. Only a professional will be able to identify this. And with an issue so serious, it might involve other houses as well. So it’s completely out of your skillset to handle this.
- Turning off the water supply. Drainage problems often require shutting off the water supply to prevent leakage or bursting. Most homeowners know how to fix simple sink clogging and other small repairs. But if it involves large water connections, a professional needs to take over.
It’s quite tempting to do everything on your own to save on the expenses of hiring a plumber. There’s nothing wrong with that. But when it comes to unfamiliar issues, you’ll need to call a professional.
Taking on complex or complicated plumbing work on your own might worsen the damage. Most problems are beyond what meets the eye, and only a trained professional will be able to spot it.
Know when you can DIY. But also know when it’s time to get some help from a professional plumber.
