Are you experiencing plumbing problems at home? If you’re handy as a do-it-yourself homeowner, you can probably take care of these yourself. But if you’re planning on spending a chunk of money on something such as a bathroom remodel, you might be looking at way more work than you could handle on your own.
Plumbers will ensure the proper equipment, tools and parts are used, and that everything will be sorted by the time they’re done. Here are some plumbing tasks you would be better off leaving to the professionals.
1. Tank sediment in your water heater
When outside water flows into your water heater, it brings along minerals that will accumulate in the tank. Most conventional water heaters must be flushed out, usually every one or two years.
You probably won’t have the tools to easily remove this sediment, but your plumber will, and he’ll keep your water heater running smoothly.
2. Heavy-duty drain clogs
If your plunger isn’t enough to clear clogs in your toilet, sink or shower, don’t try to use a snake yourself – call a professional.
Heavy clogs are hard to deal with. A plumber has all the tools needed to do the job right, and it would be safer and cheaper to pay them than to buy gear and declogging agents from your local hardware store.
3. Modifying your plumbing system
Here’s a project that could put you in deep water – literally – if you try it yourself. Modifying your plumbing, including rerouting pipes or extending hot water lines, is not a DIY job.
If you work with copper pipes, you’ll need a blow torch. And if you don’t have experience with one, that would be dangerous. Leave it to the pros.
4. Sink installation
Installing a sink might not sound too difficult, but there are a lot of things to consider, including the different types of hardware, pipes, and variations that come with each different type of sink.
A professional plumber will make sure your sink is properly placed, while preventing leaks and potential larger issues you could run into later if you did the job yourself.
5. Bathroom remodelling
If you plan to remodel your bathroom, it’s best to keep the plumbing system as you have it now. It’s a lot easier to relocate fixtures than the pipes, and remodelling is a job best left to a professional – whether a contractor or a plumber – especially if it turns out that moving pipes is actually required.
6. Building outdoor kitchens
Outdoor party areas with appliances are trendy, but placing kitchen-type appliances outdoors is definitely not a DIY project. To make sure everything is installed and working properly, once again, call a professional.
This article first appeared in kaodim.com, the platform that connects users to dependable and professional local service providers. It is now in its final month of service.