Why No Homeowner Should Attempt to Tackle These Plumbing Issues on Their Own

Posted on: 29 June 2015

Not every plumbing problem in a home requires a visit from a plumber; sometimes you can try a few quick tricks for unclogging a bathtub drain without causing damage, and the problem is solved. However, there are some plumbing issues that no homeowner without real training and experience in plumbing should tackle on their own. Note a few of those here and why it's best to leave them to a professional plumber.

1. Changing or upgrading pipes behind the walls

Upgrading your plumbing in a home can mean less risk of leaks or corrosion. However, it's never a good idea to try to handle any type of replacement or upgrades to plumbing pipes behind the walls on your own. This is because upgrading pipes is more complicated than you may realize. You need to use the types of pipes that work well with each other, have them connected properly with plumber's tape or glue, and ensure they're directed in such a way that water flow is not hindered.

Most homeowners don't know the best material for pipes in their home and may fail to connect them properly, and in turn they put their home at risk for leaks and water damage. Whenever you need to install new plumbing pipes of any sort, leave this to a professional.

2. Persistent drips from a faucet

When a faucet drips, you may be able to change the washer underneath the nozzle and this may fix the problem easily. However, if a drip is persistent, you want to call a plumber. The water pressure in your home may be too high, or there may be broken parts in the faucet itself. Cracks in pipes can also cause leaks that you assume are from the faucet but which are collecting around the sink, not coming from the faucet itself. Rather than ignoring this problem and having your home suffer damage from a consistent leak, call a plumber to find the actual problem.

3. Low water pressure

Your hot water heater usually has a pressure indicator that you can adjust, but doing this on your own can mean water pressure that is too high. In turn, your pipes may suffer leaks and damage. Your low water pressure may also be caused by corrosion in your pipes, which slows down the water as it travels to your faucets or showerhead. The faucet may also have a broken cartridge, which controls the flow of water. In any case, trying to fix this problem on your own can make it worse, or you may actually be overlooking a problem with the pipes that can cause water damage.  

For the best results in these situations, contact a local plumbing company like Andrew Vanny Plumbing.

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