Plumbing: DIY or Call a Pro?
You are a DIY enthusiast. You are used to taking on serious projects with nothing but an Internet how-to guide and a few bucks worth of supplies from the hardware store. One of your great strengths is the ability to look a project that would leave most shaking in their boots and ask, "How hard could it be?" But how do you, as a homeowner confident in your DIY skills, know when a plumbing project really is better left to the professionals? Here are a few plumbing areas that require extra caution and experience.
Your Water Heater
Does the project involve working on your hot water heater? Don't touch it unless you really know what you're doing! Aside from the obvious risk of being scalded, there are other reasons you should be wary about taking on a water heater repair yourself. An improperly repaired water heater can cause flooding, fire, and massive property damage. And if you happen to have an electric water heater, you could be in for a shocking (literally) experience if you are ill-prepared to deal with dangerous electrical work. If you have a natural gas heater, you may have the unpleasant experience of discovering its explosive personality. Avoid getting yourself in hot water! If you doubt your ability to repair your water heater yourself, call a professional plumber.
Soldering and the Like
Is brazing or soldering pipes is required? Then you really need to know what you're doing and should strongly consider hiring a plumbing contractor. Remember: a plumbing job must be watertight. Even the tiniest leak can cause thousands of dollars in damage if it goes undetected. Your skills with a blowtorch need to be spot-on for the sort of precision these sorts of jobs require. If you're not extremely sure in your abilities, it'd be best to avoid the risk of moldy walls and wet carpets.
Water Mains
Are you tempted to mess with your main water line? Think twice! Water mains have extremely high pressure, which can make them dangerous and difficult to work with. The line, which can be buried quite deep to protect it from frost, is often in the company of electricity, gas, television, and other lines. Tree roots may also cover the line along with landscaping that obstructs access, making it difficult to access. Taking on these projects yourself is seldom worth the time, hard work, and risk to your property and safety. Don't get in too deep; be sure to call a competent plumbing professional before ever touching a main water line.
Plumbing is not an area of honey-dos you want to learn as you go. Mistakes are costly and easy to make. Before attempting any plumbing project, honestly ask yourself these questions. Do I know what I am doing? Do I have the proper equipment for this job? Can I afford the risk of messing this up? If you cannot answer yes to all three questions, contact your local trusted plumber and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from being a weekend warrior not in over his or her head.
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Your Water Heater
Does the project involve working on your hot water heater? Don't touch it unless you really know what you're doing! Aside from the obvious risk of being scalded, there are other reasons you should be wary about taking on a water heater repair yourself. An improperly repaired water heater can cause flooding, fire, and massive property damage. And if you happen to have an electric water heater, you could be in for a shocking (literally) experience if you are ill-prepared to deal with dangerous electrical work. If you have a natural gas heater, you may have the unpleasant experience of discovering its explosive personality. Avoid getting yourself in hot water! If you doubt your ability to repair your water heater yourself, call a professional plumber.
Soldering and the Like
Is brazing or soldering pipes is required? Then you really need to know what you're doing and should strongly consider hiring a plumbing contractor. Remember: a plumbing job must be watertight. Even the tiniest leak can cause thousands of dollars in damage if it goes undetected. Your skills with a blowtorch need to be spot-on for the sort of precision these sorts of jobs require. If you're not extremely sure in your abilities, it'd be best to avoid the risk of moldy walls and wet carpets.
Water Mains
Are you tempted to mess with your main water line? Think twice! Water mains have extremely high pressure, which can make them dangerous and difficult to work with. The line, which can be buried quite deep to protect it from frost, is often in the company of electricity, gas, television, and other lines. Tree roots may also cover the line along with landscaping that obstructs access, making it difficult to access. Taking on these projects yourself is seldom worth the time, hard work, and risk to your property and safety. Don't get in too deep; be sure to call a competent plumbing professional before ever touching a main water line.
Plumbing is not an area of honey-dos you want to learn as you go. Mistakes are costly and easy to make. Before attempting any plumbing project, honestly ask yourself these questions. Do I know what I am doing? Do I have the proper equipment for this job? Can I afford the risk of messing this up? If you cannot answer yes to all three questions, contact your local trusted plumber and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from being a weekend warrior not in over his or her head.
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