Plumbing: When Not to DIY

Though it may seem cheaper and faster to do-it-yourself, sometimes it’s better to ask for help with some repairs, especially plumbing. Depending on the plumbing issue, DIY may not even be an option—in some cases, you must hire a plumber. But when is hiring a plumber a “must”, and when is it a waste of money?

plumbing

Some plumbing issues are caused by faulty plumbing beyond one’s own home, such as from city-owned plumbing lines. This is sometimes the case if you have decreased water pressure from all the taps in your home or a chronic plumbing problem that previous DIY attempts did not fix. You will not be able to access these lines or repair the issue. If you tinker with your own lines in search of a local fix, you may cause a problem that wasn’t there before.

Plumbing issues may also be caused by another faulty system in your home. Electricity, for example. Many depend on electricity to pump water in and out and to heat their water. A problem with water pressure or temperature, for example, may not have anything to do with your plumbing.

While you might be an excellent, all-around handyman, deciphering what system of your home is not working takes a well-seasoned eye and ear—not just someone who has “seen it all before”, but someone who sees it all the time. Asking the best plumbers in Calgary to diagnose the cause of a plumbing problem will save you the money and trouble of trying to repair something that isn’t broken.

Some plumbing fixes require the use of heavy equipment or specialized tools that you probably don’t keep in your toolbox. If the problem seems to be coming from a place in your pipes that you cannot reach, this is probably one of those occasions. Even if you can borrow or rent these tools, chances are very good that you will operate them improperly due to inexperience. Because plumbers have easy access to the tools of their trade, and because they have conditioned themselves to use these tools properly, it is always better to leave it to the pros. Which brings me to the issue of liability.

Liability is another great reason to hire a plumber. If you, a friend, or a family member decides to save a few bucks and fix your plumbing, and something goes wrong, home owner’s insurance will hold you or your helper responsible for the damage. Having your generous loved one sued by your insurance company will make the next get-together very awkward, to say the least. It may also leave you with more repair costs than you have the means to cover.

Though the thousands of YouTube videos on home repairs makes every job seem like a breeze, even for the inexperienced, if you don’t know what you are doing, call a plumber. Household hacks to make an expensive job simpler and cheaper could end up rotting away your home. Going “out on a limb” with your plumbing experiment is no place for your home—rest assured, the limb will break.

No matter how much you trust your DIY-er, everyone makes mistakes, but licensed plumbers are insured for them. When you hire a licensed plumber, you are buying the security of knowing that if something goes wrong, you will be compensated. Just be sure that your plumber has an active plumber’s license issued by your province and carries sufficient liability insurance.

Further, as ecological standards have changed, waste services have become more particular about the products that they will allow you to dispose of. Many metals, paints, plastics, and other materials are no longer accepted. If you try to replace your plumbing alone, you may have to pay a pretty penny to dispose of unwanted parts. This additional fee for the DIY-er is waived if you use a plumber. Plumbers are not only aware of how products should be disposed of responsibly, but they will do so at no additional fee.

In summary, it’s best to call the best plumbers in Edmonton if there are many systems of your house involved in the repair (such as electricity and plumbing). It’s also best in cases where the problem is chronic, or unresolved by previous home fix-it attempts, as this could be a sign of a plumbing issue that extends your in-home—or even in-yard—pipes. If the job requires the use of heavier equipment than you already own, it’s better to call a plumber than to take the risk of breaking something expensive. It’s also time to call a plumber if you want to peace of mind that a DIY attempt is not going to leave you and your family buried in debts or excommunicated because of lawsuits or out-of-pocket home repair fees.

Remember to take the time to do some research before hiring a plumber. Websites like RenovationFind.com can save you the time of doing background checks. They pre-screen and continually monitor seven of the most important criteria to provide homeowners with legitimate, ethical and trustworthy companies. Click to see the best plumbers in Edmonton .

This article was written by Jon Reyes from Steam Shower Store. He has over 10 years’ experience in writing health related topics and specializes in the health benefits of saunas and hydrotherapy.

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