Pinterest and HGTV have become a part of our daily lives. For every show that’s centered around finding everyday objects and flipping them into something new, there’s a tutorial on a blog for not only flipping that object, but make it your own as you’re doing it (monograms, anyone?).
Sometimes, crafts like DIY-ing your favorite old door into a new shelf or headboard are things you could actually do exceedingly well. But there are some projects that should be left to the professionals. Especially when it comes to plumbing.
Finding leaks
If you suspect there’s something wrong with your pipes, the best way to confirm it is by simply paying attention to your monthly water bill. If you haven’t purchased a large fish tank or pool, and your children aren’t constantly getting dirty and requiring baths, but your water bill has shot up anyway, there’s a good chance you have a leak. Especially if you’ve noticed a drop in water pressure but an uptick in water usage, you have a leak and need to determine where it’s coming from.
This isn’t always as simple as just looking under your sinks or checking your basement for puddles or mold. There will be instances where the leak is coming from under the house or within a wall that you didn’t even realize the system ran through. The easiest and best way to get peace of mind is by calling a professional. They’ll have the latest tools to make sure they don’t miss a thing, be it a tiny crack or gushing geyser.
Repairing pipes
Now that you know where the problem is, and if it’s a leak or full-out bust, you’ll need to have the repairs done. In some cases, a plumber can show you how to replace part of a pipe so that you don’t need to pay them for something you really can do yourself (like changing out the U-bend under a bathroom or kitchen sink). However, there are certain jobs that are dangerous enough that only a professional should take on the responsibility.
Anything that happens under your house is too complicated for you to take on yourself. Digging or drilling will be involved, even for something just barely under the surface. Companies like USA Pipe Repair have the experience to get to the affected area quickly and fix it as soon as possible. They’ll make the call before they dig to check for gas lines, they’ll understand the amount of pressure to use so as not to make the problem even worse, and they can explain to you not only what happened, but what you can do to avoid the problem in the future.
Anything at dangerously high temperatures
If you find yourself contemplating a job that involves your hot water heater or any kind of electricity, you need to stop, take a breather, and then recognize that no amount of savings is worth your health or even your life. You’re not only dealing with what could be water so hot you could be burned if you come into contact with it, but also the possibility of releasing carbon monoxide into your own home. Because of the risks involved, and, in some cases, the permit required to do this kind of work, it may actually be illegal for anyone but a licensed plumber to do these projects.
Lastly, keep in mind that regardless of your intent or the seeming ease with which you could complete a repair, if one thing goes wrong and you need help from your insurance to clean up after it, they may deny your claim if you didn’t have a licensed professional do the work. In other situations, a warranty could become void if it’s discovered a problem arose not from natural wear and tear, but from human intervention. So play it safe and call your local professional.
