As a homeowner, you are sure to understand the value of taking care of a few plumbing repairs on your own. It saves you money and provides a little sweat equity that you can be proud of. But over the many decades that we have been serving the community, we have learned that most homeowners do not know how to decide when it is time to call in the pros until it is too late. Not that you are going to damage your home’s plumbing to the point that we cannot fix it, but you can take a relatively simple and inexpensive repair and make it much more costly after a failed DIY adventure.
It is essential that homeowners know what they can handle and what might be a little too involved, intense, or time-consuming for them to take on as a weekend or DIY project. Having said that, you might be starting to see where we are headed. The truth is that there is no clear cut line that defines when to call a licensed plumber and when to take on a repair yourself. Each person’s skill level, interest in hands-on maintenance, and even available tools will contribute to each decision. And the most crucial part of your decision is being honest with yourself about your own capabilities.
A Few Easy Beginner Projects
There are some projects that are great for a beginner. And by that, we mean that there is no way that you will make the problem worse, even if you can’t complete the repair on your own. If that is how it turns out after you work at it for a bit, give us a call, and we will gladly get you taken care of. And you will not be paying any more than if you had called us as soon as you noticed the problem.
On the flip side, you might find that even though you were a little intimidated by the project, you managed to get the job done! Now you have a little more confidence in your skills, more knowledge, and you saved a few bucks that can now be spent on a celebratory treat. Some of these entry-level projects include:
- A clogged drain: These usually are pretty simple jobs. You need a plunger or a plumbing snake to remove the clog and get your drain flowing again. Notice that we did not say anything about using harsh chemical drain cleaners because those never work, and they can melt your drain lines. And if you can’t get the clog removed with a plunger or snake, then give us a call for a professional drain cleaning. You did not harm the drain, and you are sure to have learned a few things about your home’s drains.
- A leaky faucet: This is a little more challenging, but if you can follow the directions on the replacement parts package, you should be good to get this project knocked out. Just be sure that you know how to turn off the water and that you have it completely off before you begin the repair. And if you run into issues, just give us a call to wrap up the repair for you.
- A sink stopper issue: This is a simple adjustment in almost every case. All you need is a pair of pliers and time to watch a YOUTUBE video or two. And because you are working on a drain line and not a supply line, there is not much that can go wrong to make the problem any worse.
When To Call In A Pro
As a general run, you should immediately call (318) 202-9144 for any plumbing issue that is threatening to flood your home. A broken water line, a leaking toilet, or clog in your sewer line are just a few examples. But when you don’t have the luxury of time to figure out what the problem is without your home suffering water damage, call in the Gordon AC & Plumbing team. We are here 24/7 to assist you, and we always provide a free price quote for any work that we recommend before starting the repair.
