Emergency Plumbing Situations: DIY Or Professional?
Plumbing is a fundamental element of your English home. Hence, problems with plumbing inconvenience you and your family. In fact, most plumbing issues tend to occur at night, on weekends, or on holidays when plumbing services are unavailable. This is why having some plumbing skills and tools to handle minor plumbing issues is important. Not all issues require professional services; many minor plumbing issues can be fixed at home on your own.
However, no matter how skilled you’re, some plumbing issues are tough to handle and are better left to the experts. Handling issues that exceed your knowledge can create bigger and more costly issues. Below are emergency plumbing issues you can handle yourself and those that need professional services.
Plumbing Issues You Can Fix Yourself
You don’t need to be an expert to fix basic problems in your plumbing. Minor issues like clogged sinks, pressure issues, and leaking faucets always happen. This means you should learn how to fix the issues as it can be costly to call a plumber all the time. Some fixable plumbing issues include:
Minor Toilet Issues
The common toilet issues include toilet not flushing, a clogged toilet, or toilet tank not filling. These issues are easily fixed without the need for an expert.
If the toilet isn’t flushing, the issue is mainly that the flushing chain is detached or loose. In that case, you simply reattach the chain to its position. On the other hand, if the tank isn’t filling, it’s the inlet pipe that’s usually blocked. So, open the tank and remove the blockage.
Meanwhile, if the toilet is clogged, your first step is to use a plunger to try sucking and dislodging the build-up. If this doesn’t work, you can use a plumber’s snake to remove the blockage but you’ll need to contact professionals if the blockage is severe. In such a case, consider hiring plumber Kilburn and nearby for quality services.
Clogged Sinks
Everyone experiences drainage issues in the kitchen and bathroom sink at least once in their lives. It’s mainly caused by solid substances building up down the drain.
Food debris and grease are the main culprits that cause blockage in kitchen sinks, while soap scum and hair restrict water flow in bathroom drains. Fortunately, the issue of sink clogging can be easily fixed at home in several ways.
Firstly, you can buy a plumber’s snake and try dislodging the clogs to allow water to flow. Secondly, you can pour a solution of baking soda and vinegar, vinegar and salt, or baking soda and salt down the drain to disintegrate the blockage.
Leaking Faucets
Dripping faucets are a common plumbing issue with annoying noise and can significantly increase your water bill. Often, the problem is usually some worn-out parts, especially the rubber washer. All you need is the right tools to open up the faucet, replace the rubber seal, and reassemble your faucet.
Plumbing Issues That Require Professional Services
As mentioned, some plumbing problems can’t be fixed all on your own at home, and trying to fix to take the do-it-yourself (DIY) route can do more harm than good. Any plumbing issue beyond your knowledge or which can cause property damage is better reserved for the experts. Some of the issues that require professional help are:
Severely Blocked Drains
A single or two sink clogs can be simply unclogged using a plunger or homemade uncloggers. Nonetheless, if you have multiple fixture clogs that you can’t resolve, this may mean you have a severe issue in the main drain.
Think about all the junk that goes down your different drains. All the debris that goes down your shower drain and kitchen and bathroom sink all lead to the main drain. When these pieces of debris come together, they accumulate in your main drainage and form a large unmovable clog.
Such a problem requires a professional plumber as it’s impossible to do it yourself. Undertaking a root cause analysis on your blocked drains is a complex task that demands specialised expertise, and ignoring it can cause serious problems like cracked pipes or sewage back-ups. Signs that will indicate that your main drain is blocked are multiple fixtures blocking, unpleasant sewage smells, unusual soggy garden spots, or overflowing floor wastes.
Burst Pipes
Burst water pipes are the main cause of water damage in many homes; they can cause significant damage in a matter of minutes. That’s why it’s essential to regularly inspect your water pipes for any signs of cracks, leaks, or small pools of water around your house. Identifying such issues allows you to address the issues before they escalate.
Yet when you identify a burst water pipe, you should immediately turn off the main water supply and call a professional plumber right away. If your house is flooded, keep a safe distance to avoid electrocution. If it’s safe you can turn off the electricity while waiting for a plumber.
Gas Leaks
Gas leaks are emergency plumbing situations that can only be handled by experts. This is because it can cause property damage or carbon monoxide poisoning when not handled properly. Therefore, if you smell any gas leak, evacuate right away and call professional help.
Both gas and water leaks are serious problems you should always consult a professional with experience in leak detection as an essential service. They will be able to identify and locate leaks in various types of systems and equipment, preventing costly damages and potential hazards. A leak can occur in pipelines, tanks, roofs, or even within walls, making it difficult to detect without professional help. One company that specialises in this field is ADI Leak Detection.
Conclusion
It’s essential to know which plumbing issues you can fix yourself and which ones need a plumber. The pieces of information discussed above will help you determine what issues you can fix and those that overmatch your DIY-level skills and know-how. As a golden rule, if you don’t know how to go with a particular plumbing issue, don’t hesitate to reach out to a licensed plumber in your community for your safety as well as optimum repair results.
