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When to Call a Plumber vs. Attempt a DIY Job

repair-technician-at-door-shaking-homeowners-handShould a plumbing job ever be a do-it-yourself (DIY) endeavor? Maybe in some cases it can be okay. For example, maybe you have a superficial clog that’s close enough to the drain surface of your since that you can just eliminate it with a plunger and a little bit of “elbow grease.”

So no, we don’t always discourage DIY-jobs. But when it comes to your plumbing, it can be unsafe or further damaging to try to handle all problems on your own. You could even leave yourself more susceptible to problems in the future. There are 2 problems in particular we really encourage you to call in a pro for.

1.     Deep Drain Clogs

Why do we discourage homeowners from handling deep drain clogs on their own? After all, couldn’t you just easily resolve it with some store-bought drain cleaning solution? Here’s the thing—drain clogs can be temporarily relieved by that bottle of liquid drain cleaner you snagged at the hardware store.

However, the chemicals used in these drain cleaners do more than each through a clog—they can eventually eat through your pipes too. Aside from that, these solutions don’t actually remove the clog, so you could find yourself facing the same problem just a few months later.

If your clog can’t be removed with a plunger or homemade cleaning solution of baking soda and vinegar (also a great way to clean your garbage disposal naturally), then your next best step is to call a professional for drain snaking or hydro-jetting.

2.     Drop in Water Pressure

Depending one what’s causing the problem, low water pressure might not be that detrimental. Sometimes, the solution is as simply as removing the aerator from the affected faucet or tap (a small screen at the end of the opening) and cleaning it out. However, this is typically only an appropriate fix when the low water pressure is only impacting one tap or faucet in the home.

If you’ve notice an entire portion of your plumbing system had a sudden or even gradual decline in water pressure, there’s something more happening. You may have a clog or obstruction deep down in the sewer line that necessitates professional drain cleaning or repair. Or, you might have a leak somewhere throughout your plumbing system that’s enabling water to escape behind a wall, or beneath your property.

If you notice a drop in water pressure and it’s not resolved by cleaning out your aerators, then it’s time to give our professionals a call.

When DIY Plumbing Goes Badly

As we discussed above, we don’t mean to discourage you from any and all “DIY” plumbing jobs. Sometimes a plumbing fix may require something like tightening a nut when your sink is dripping or a drainpipe is leaking from a joint.

The fact of the matter is, however, that many DIY projects do go wrong, and you could wind up paying for your initial attempt at repairing the problem and a follow up visit from a professional plumber to actually resolve the issue. The best way to save this inconvenience as well as your time is by contacting a pro at the first sign of a plumbing problem.

To get ahold of a trained, professional plumber in Delray Beach, FL, simply contact Admiral Plumbing Services, LLC: Nice People, Super Service!

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