5 Plumbing Repairs Should Leave to a Professional

Doing DIY repairs around the home is a valuable skill to have, as it can save both time and money and give a sense of satisfaction. Anyone who is reasonably good with their hands can carry out domestic plumbing tasks such as leaking faucets and clog pipes, especially since tutorials and information about plumbing are flooding over the internet.

However, some plumbing repairs that don’t go smoothly need a professional plumber to fix, especially if it is a major plumbing problem. With all the information on the internet that makes plumbing work look so easy, it can sometimes be quite hard to know when to do a DIY to save time and money or when to call a professional. To help you decide, here are the five plumbing problems that require a professional to fix.

Water Heaters

Any job involving water heaters aside from routine cleaning is a job for professionals as most of the water heaters run on natural gas. When working with a water heater, the worker deals with electricity, water, and probably gas or oil. All of these are hazardous, that if anyone makes a mistake, the consequences can be severe. Another danger when dealing with water heaters is the possibility of exploding pipes due to improper insulation and spewing hot water everywhere.

An amateur is unlikely to have all the right tools and skills to ensure safety while fixing it. Such as needed to detect gas leaks or carbon monoxide emission, and insurance might not cover any damage caused by faulty DIY repairs. If there are some issues with water heaters, like pressure problems, temperature problems, or notice rust, a professional plumber must handle the repair.

Sewer Problem

Homeowners should avoid unclogging sewer lines on their own. When there is an issue such as a shower or tub filling up with wastewater, gurgling toilet, or water is draining out of the washing machine, causing the toilet to overflow, these are the signs that there is a problem in the sewer line. However, much information about DIY plumbing techniques on the internet suggests using a drain cleaner or soda drinks to unclog the sewer pipelines. These can only lead to a more severe problem by eroding the sewer pipeline. If anyone will take a stab and do DIY on sewer pipes, unfortunately, it is not as simple as it sounds.

Dealing with sewer is dealing with unpleasant smells of gas and many bacteria that can be detrimental to health and cause sickness. According to NRDC or National Resources Defense Council, almost two million illnesses cases each year are caused by sewage contamination. Professionals must handle any concerns and issues about sewers as they have the necessary tools, PPE, and skills to fix the problems safely.

Sump Pump Installation

A DIYer should not install a sump pump, especially if they’re doing it for the first time. A sump pump is essential as it serves as a defense against damage that a flooded basement might cause. Although replacing a sump pump is easy and doable, installing a new one is a different story.

Installing a sump pump requires cutting or making a hole in the wall to run the piping or to put surface mount access panels for its electrical components. It also involves digging a trench, drilling a hole in the basement’s structural foundation, and dealing with electricity connections. Professionals must handle all of this sump pump installation work as any of these steps can go wrong somehow, and instead of saving, it can cause more on the budget.

Inaccessible Pipe Repairs

Homeowners should not attempt to fix inaccessible plumbing pipes, such as those in the wall or underground. In states or cities, it requires a digging permit to unearth damaged underground pipelines, and anyone who fails to get an excavation permit when digging can face a heavy fine. Additionally, underground utilities such as water pipelines, electrical lines, and natural gas pose a risk for every homeowner. A professional plumber can utilize the right tools and equipment for excavation and has the training and skills to avoid those underground hazards, coordinate the repair of the affected walls and get the proper permit.

Major Leaks

When major leaks arise and spray water across the room, it needs to shut off the main supply and call a professional immediately. It might seem a simple task to repair an apparent faulty pipeline with joint fittings replacement or a spot of soldering. However, if a major leak occurs, it is most likely that other parts of the system are also in the same state of tear and wear. A professional plumber will check all the conditions of the whole system to prevent failures in the future and not only deal with the immediate problem.

Some plumbing repairs are relatively simple, quick, and easy to carry out for DIY rather than call someone else. However, being unsure and having the consequences lead to severe injuries, it is better to call a professional plumber to perform the task safely.