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If you’re like many Canadians, you love saving a few dollars and tackling problems on your own when you can. It’s part of our culture – we love DIYing and feeling proud of our own fixes (Red Green Show, anyone?).
However, when it comes to dealing with your plumbing system, makeshift solutions without the guidance of a professional can spell TROUBLE. The question is, when do you really need a plumber, and when can you take care of the problem yourself?
To help you out, we’ve come up with a list of instances in which it’s okay (or unadvisable) to tackle your own plumbing problems.
DIY: Installing a Straightforward Appliance
Adding new fixtures and appliances to your kitchen (or bathrooms) is an excellent way to raise your home’s value and generally change the feel of the room. Fortunately, in most cases, installing simple items like these shouldn’t require the assistance of a professional plumber.
Doing something like replacing your faucet shouldn’t take more than an hour, as long as you have instructions handy and the necessary tools. Installing bigger appliances, like a dishwasher, might require more skill, but as long as you’re comfortable taking on the project with some guidance, it can certainly be a DIY project.
Ask for Help: Unidentified Noises or Leaks
Let’s say, as you’re installing a new appliance, you begin to hear strange gurgling noises, or you see water pooling from an unidentified source. Although you could do some investigation on your own, our recommendation is to call a professional ASAP.
These strange noises could be a serious warning sign from your plumbing system indicating that there are hidden problems that need attention. If that’s the case, you won’t want to take on this project by yourself.
Hire a professional with a trained eye, the right knowledge, and all of the tools to protect your home from severe water damage.
DIY: Fixing a Clogged Drain
As long as you have access to a reliable plumbing guide and the rudimentary tools for the job, you might be able to address a clogged drain or toilet without the help of a trained plumber.
Whether you’re using a plunger or turning to a makeshift plumbing snake made out of a hanger, this is a task that has minimal risk and you can probably accomplish it on your own. It just takes a little bit of determination and maybe a few quick Google searches.
However, clogs can sometimes be more complicated than they appear. The stoppage can be located far down the pipeline and inaccessible by a simple drain snake. In these scenarios, there’s no shame in hiring a plumber if you don’t want to deal with the problem yourself.
Ask for Help: Perpetually Running Water
If the house is quiet – you shouldn’t hear any sounds – but there’s the constant trickle of running water, you might be facing a serious problem. Although it could just be a simple issue with your toilet, addressed by replacing the flush valve in the tank, it could be something far worse.
The sound of running water, when no one is using water, can indicate a hidden leak somewhere in your system. Roughly ten percent of homes have leaks that can waste up to 90 gallons of water per day!
The longer this leak goes unaddressed, the more severe the secret water damage can become. Let a professional search the area for signs of broken, leaking pipes behind walls.
DIY: Addressing Minor Leaks
Although serious, hidden leaks can certainly require the attention of a professional. But not every leak is a complicated problem.
A tiny leak in a pipe can be sealed by materials like epoxy resin or even a piece of sealing tape. If your sink or shower head is linking, a bit of tinkering with the right tools can tighten everything up. You might even wind up buying a metal clamp of some kind to shut down the accidental water flow.
If none of these solutions are working, or if the leak seems too powerful for simple fixes, it’s time to call in a plumber.
The General Rule of Thumb
There are certainly minor tasks that don’t require the help and price of a professional plumber. However, if you can’t immediately identify the problem and find a simple solution, it’s probably best to schedule repairs from someone who knows what they’re doing.
Your plumbing system isn’t something you want to mess around with. If you have a bad feeling, or you feel out of your comfort zone, go ahead and reach out for help.
Author
Amy McConaghy is Reliance Home Comfort’s Digital Marketing Specialist, managing the editorial, video and visual content creation for all digital platforms. Amy’s writing is focused on bringing home improvement, energy and money saving tips to the homeowners and answering questions about all their home comfort needs. You can find Amy on LinkedIn.