Live anywhere long enough and you’ll run into plumbing issues. It could just be a dripping faucet, a backed-up toilet, or a major water leak.
Knowing when to try fixing your plumbing yourself or call a professional is an individual determination based on your skill and comfort level.
At A&D Mechanical, we believe that you deserve affordable maintenance on your home. You can save money by fixing the minor issues that fit within your comfort level of resolving. We want to help you by sharing tips for fixing the minor plumbing issues that may come up.
Minor plumbing problems can include:
These issues happen to most homeowners. The older the house, the more frequently it could happen. The real culprit can be older plumbing pipes.
Clogged Toilets
Clogged toilets can happen anytime, depending on what is being flushed! If you have toddlers, watch for toys, too much toilet paper, and other items being flushed! These can cause major clogs and shouldn’t be flushed! Usually, a wet vac can come to the rescue. Use it to remove the water, then pull out the offending blockage.
For preventative care, never ever flush wet wipes or feminine products down your toilet. The packaging may say “flushable”, but experience tells us that those who flush these types of products have more clogging issues. It’s best to discard these in the garbage.
If the toilet clog isn’t visible, you may need a snake or a pro to come to the rescue.
Clogged Drains
Pipes are often clogged due to grease, oils, hair, or other debris that find their way washed into the drain.
When you notice that your sink is draining slower than normal, try this simple recipe to keep the water flowing. It’s a much safer clog removal alternative than using harsh chemicals.
We have a nontoxic solution. When you have a slow running or clogged pipe, follow these simple steps. Clogs happen. This is a simple solution for when they happen in your home.
Mix ½ cup of salt
With ½ cup of baking soda
Followed by a large pot of boiling water
If your clog isn’t cleared completely, wait 15-30 minutes and repeat. If your pipe is still clogged, you need a plumber. Give us a call.
Even a downpour of too much rain can cause a slowdown in the drainpipes causing a small back up in our home. If you have gurgling or notice slow draining inside, excessive rain might be the cause.
Drippy Faucets
Most of the time, a drippy faucet can be an easy repair. It may be a matter of tightening of a screw or replacing an O-ring. Checking your water pressure may also be necessary to avoid drips.
Major plumbing problems where a professional is needed:
When a plumbing issue arises where you don’t have the time or expertise to fix, it’s time to call in a professional.
No Hot Water
Cold showers are not fun, especially in the winter months. When your water starts to run warm (or ice cold) when you’re aiming for hot, your water heater may need replacing or repaired.
A professional would be able to diagnosis as to whether a part needed to be replaced or if it’s best to replace the entire unit. Especially if you have a gas water heater, having an experienced professional to service or replace the unit is recommended.
Water Leaks
Discovering a pool of water on your floor or discovering a lake in your crawlspace is not fun.
Burst pipes can be costly and cause lots of damage. Catch them early and that will help minimize the expenditures. Corroded pipes are usually caused from old rusty metal pipes.
While It is possible to fix the pipe yourself, provided you have the proper tools and the know-how, it’s not recommended. Burst pipe jobs are best left to the professionals.
If your corroded or leaky pipe is visible, it may not be too difficult to repair. However, if it’s not visible, finding the source of the leak can be tricky and that’s when you should call in a pro. They will have the equipment to find and repair the leak.
Constant Backed-Up Drains
Slow drains may not be caused by a simple clog that can be broken through. It could be a deeper problem.
Tree roots finding their way into your pipes can lead to a major issue if left unresolved. The size of the roots can be almost double what you see growing on the top of the ground!
Roots are constantly looking for moisture and nutrients, exactly what your drainpipes are offering. It’s no wonder this is a usual call for us to fix. This job often requires heavier equipment and tools and the expertise of an experienced professional.
Conclusion
Know your limits when it comes to repairing your own plumbing problems.
YouTube and home repair stores offer many tutorials and can help with some of the minor repairs. If you require more assistance or get in over your head, we are glad to help with your major and minor plumbing problems.
