The rise of a DIY culture is something to be celebrated, and many people are developing skills and knowledge that they can use in practical ways. This also applies to plumbing. There are minor plumbing issues that can be tackled by a person with good DIY skills. But, any good plumber can tell you about plumbing nightmares where a DIY fix went badly wrong. This may seem trivial; after all, we all have to start somewhere, but a botched plumbing job can lead to flooding and water damage that’s expensive to fix. In this article, we will look at four plumbing fixes that you should save for a professional certified plumber.
- Installing a New Toilet
For a DIY enthusiast, a toilet installation is a tempting challenge that may seem easy at first glance. But, installing a toilet can be a trickier proposition than many people realize. The water lines need to be disconnected, and the tank and bowl have to be unbolted from the floor. If the bolts are rusted, some cutting may be required, and this can be a time consuming task. It’s easy to connect the toilet incorrectly, and we rely on this appliance multiple times each day. So, save yourself the hassle and contact a certified plumber to get the toilet installation right.
- Lower Water Pressure Issues
Low water pressure can create a number of problems in the home, and it can be caused by underlying issues. Adjusting the water pressure is a bad idea if you have no idea why the water pressure has dropped in the first place. There could a cracked pipe or a hidden water leak somewhere in your home that’s hard to locate. A professional plumber can find the source of your problem, fix it, and help you to improve your water pressure.
- Water Line Damage
If you have a leaking water pipe, it needs to be fixed quickly by a professional. Any delay can lead to more damage, and water damage is very costly to repair. If you spot any water leaks, get in touch with your local certified plumber quickly, or the entire water line could fail.
- Replacing a Water Heater
A new water heater is an expensive appliance, and it will work hard every day to heat water for your home. So, it doesn’t make too much sense to try and save a few bucks by installing it yourself. If you have no formal training or experience, you should not attempt a water heater installation. An electric water heater will use 240v of electricity, and a gas water heater can produce lethal leaks if installed incorrectly. Safety should be the first priority when working on your home, so leave a water heater replacement to the professionals.
Fixing minor plumbing issues such as drain clogs or cleaning a garbage disposal are relatively simple. But plumbers are trained to work on plumbing systems, and they often have years of experience in this field. If you attempt a DIY plumbing job to save some money, it can backfire, and it often costs more to repair the damage. Contact your
local certified plumber if you need expert help and advice for your home plumbing system.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
