Should I DIY or Call a Plumber?
As a homeowner, there’s nothing as satisfying as starting and finishing a home improvement project. Depending on the complexity of the project, plenty of homeowners are capable of doing it themselves. If you’re thinking of upgrading the faucets and showerheads or changing lighting fixtures, you probably don’t need a professional. Plumbing, on the other hand, is a tricky issue. If you have an issue you may be wondering, should I DIY or call a plumber?
As one of the most crucial systems in the home, it is usually out of sight. However, you rely on your plumbing every day. From brushing your teeth in the morning and making breakfast to taking a hot shower before bed, it is a big part of everyday life. This puts your pipes under a lot of pressure. Consequently, this can cause a wide variety of plumbing problems.
When this occurs, should you DIY or call a plumber? Orange County plumbers at Do It Right Plumbers weighs in.
When Should You DIY?
As we’ve said, most of the plumbing is usually out of sight and cannot be easily accessed without certain tools. It consists of a complex network of pipes and fixtures designed to bring in clean water and take out waste effectively. Due to this complexity, homeowners who want to do it themselves should stick to the smaller plumbing issues. These include:
Common Toilet Issues
A toilet that isn’t flushing properly doesn’t always require the services of a plumbing company in Orange County CA. Most of the time, this is usually caused by a defective flushing mechanism, obstructions, or when the tank hadn’t finished filling before you attempt to flush. Open the tank lid to check for obstructions as well as the flushing mechanism. A lot of the time the issue is caused when the chain breaks loose from the flushing mechanism, which you can easily attach.
If the toilet is older than 5 years, you may have to entirely replace the flushing mechanism to avoid constant issues. However, if you can’t find the source of the problem or it keeps recurring even after you fix it, contact a plumbing company in Orange CA like Do It Right Plumbers for professional help.
Clogged Garbage Disposal
A lot of people are under the false impression that they can dump anything down the garbage disposal and the blades will eat it up. In some cases, small items can get jammed in there accidentally. If you have the proper tools and the right technique, you don’t have to seek plumbing services Orange CA. Most garbage disposal units have an Allen wrench attached to the motor that allows you to manually turn the disposal blades.
Once you’ve turned on the power, use the wrench to turn the blades, which will free the item and allow you to remove it. Make sure the disposal unit is powered off before you do this as you may end up seriously injured if it turns on while you’re working on it.
A Clogged Drain
Although they may be indicative of a deeper plumbing issue, you can easily clear your drain. We recommend using a plunger or a drain snake. A drain snake or a wire hanger can be used to remove solid sites. Very hot water and a little detergent can clear out softer items like fat from the kitchen sink. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners as they can cause extensive damage to your pipes.
If you can’t clear the blockage or the issue persists despite your efforts at fixing it, contact Do It Right Plumbers right away to get the issue addressed.
A Leaking Faucet
One thing we and our friends over at Gilmore Heating, Air and Plumbing, the best plumbing company Sacramento, agrees on is: do not ignore a leaking faucet in your home. Looking at the rate of one drip per second, a leaking faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water, all at your expense. With the right tools, you can disassemble the faucet to look for damaged gaskets or mineral deposits. Use a little vinegar to loosen the mineral deposits and repair the worn out or damaged parts before reassembling the faucet. Make sure you keep the pieces of the faucet in the same order you removed them to make the reassembly quicker and more accurate.
Granted, this may require a little technical know-how and tools. If you don’t trust your ability to put the faucet back together, reach out to a “plumber near me” to ensure the problem is addressed as soon as possible.
Certain minor issues like a leaking faucet, clogged drain, clogged garbage disposal, or low water pressure can be fixed by the homeowner. However, even these relatively ‘simple’ issues require certain tools and a little knowledge. One mistake may end up costing you quite a lot in repairs down the road. Thus, you should only DIY if you are confident in your abilities and have the proper tools.
Plumbers in Orange County
Most plumbers in Orange County would advise you against fixing plumbing issues on your own. Once you have determined there is an issue, reach out to a professional to address it. Are you dealing with a plumbing problem in Orange County? Contact Do It Right Plumbers today for a consultation. We’d love to help!