Three Plumbing DIYs and One for the Pros
Between the vast resources of the internet and the extra free time many people have had lately, DIY projects have never been more popular. And while there’s plenty you can do around your house without hiring a professional, plumbing is one of those specialty areas where you should be careful. There are some things you can easily DIY, and some you should really call an expert for.
DIY: New Fixtures
Replacing a faucet is an easy way to make big functional and aesthetic changes in your kitchen. As long as you’re replacing with something that has similar connections, this project is quick and easy. All you need is to shut off the water vales, remove the old one, and install the new one. It’s that simple.
Even easier and potentially more impactful is a new shower head. You don’t even need to turn the water off for this, and many shower heads are a simple thread-on installation.
DIY: Simple Clogs
Hair in the drain? Hot Wheels in the toilet? You can attack these with simple tools. We’ve mentioned it before, but it’s important to avoid chemical clog agents, as they can damage the pipes and only work in specific cases anyway.
If you have a drain snake and a plunger, you can free up most basic clogs. But if these don’t do the job, it’s time to call someone in.
DIY: Leaky Toilets
One of the most common reasons a toilet leaks around the base is that the wax ring is old and no longer providing a good seal. A few simple tools and a new ring can have you up and running in under an hour. (Stay tuned in the next blog for my personal story about an endlessly leaking toilet.)
Leave it to the Pros: Hidden Leaks
If you suspect that you have a water leak somewhere in your home, and you can’t easily find it (e.g. under a sink), trying to track it down might do more harm than good. 90% of your pipes are hidden within walls or under floors and, let’s face it, you aren’t a plumber. Here are a few signs you should call one, though:
- Low water pressure
- The sound of water running even when you aren’t using water
- A sudden high water bill
- New water stains or bubbling on walls or ceilings
Any of these can be a sign of a water leak - call a plumber and minimize water use to minimize potential damage until it can be fixed.
There are plenty of things that you can handle yourself, but when it comes to larger plumbing issues, you might end up with even more problems. If you're not sure, or if you run into problems, call us to schedule an appointment and let us take it off your hands.