Call in the Troops! Top 3 Situations When You Should Get in Touch with a Plumber
So you’ve got a clogged drain or frozen pipes or your sewer is backed up and you’re at your wits end. What to do, what to do? You may be tempted to search “plumbing 101” online. In some cases, a DIY plumbing 101 can be helpful, but too often, it gets inexperienced people in over their heads. Instead of trying to do plumbing 101 yourself, why not call a professional plumber to come help you out of your plumbing woes? Sure, you might pay more money, but you’ll know that a quality repair job is being done and you don’t have to worry about messing it up. Furthermore, a plumber is likely to be much quicker at repairing whatever needs to be done than you will be! They’ll also be able to troubleshoot future plumbing problems that could arise by inspecting your pipes while they’re there and can warn you if they see a real problem coming up in the future.
What Are Common Problems That I Should Call a Plumber For?
- Burst Pipes
- Consistent Leaks and Drips
- Clogs of All Kinds
If your pipes freeze and burst, you’re definitely going to want to call a plumber. It’s a messy business and indeed, water damage and freezing are responsible for almost a quarter of all homeowners insurance claims, averaging in at a little over $4,000 per claim. Ick! Plumbers can help fix the break and even make sure your pipes are insulated better to ensure that this doesn’t happen again. When the temperature goes below 20 degrees Fahrenheit and your water pipes aren’t insulated (or have very thin insulation), you can expect some trouble. They’re likely to freeze and then break, causing water damage. The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety reports that even just a three millimeter crack can let loose over 250 gallons of water per day, which can really ruin floors, furniture, and appliances, not to mention all your treasured personal items.
Sure, the faucet may drip occasionally and that’s fine. But when a leaking faucet won’t stop dripping? You should call a plumber. The typical household wastes over 10,000 gallons of water every year thanks to leaks and drips. Correcting this can save homeowners as much as 10% on their water bills — that’s a pretty significant savings! Around 10% of homes have leaks that are responsible for over 90 gallons of water being wasted every day. Not only will it save you money (and that annoying “drip-drip” sound), the dripping may also be a sign that you’ve got a larger plumbing issue that your plumber can tackle. It’s better to be safe, than sorry, after all!
But can’t I just plunge the toilet or pick the hair out of the drain? Well, yes. But sometimes that won’t solve the problem. We’ve all unsuccessfully plunged toilets before, only to find there was a bigger reason for our clogged toilet that a plunger just couldn’t fix. And clogged drains aren’t going to fix themselves — the standing water is only going to get worse. (If hair is the issue, consider getting a safety net to catch hair from going down into your pipes and clogging everything up.)
How Do I Find a Good, Reliable Plumber?
Research is certainly key here. You can also neighbors, friends, or family who live in your area for referrals — plumbers they’ve hired who they’ve been satisfied with. If you’re choosing a plumber alone though, check online for reviews and other information, like prices, services, and availability. Check out a few in your area to comparison shop, so to speak. You might not always find the best plumber for you on the first try, but you can get close with careful research and talking to others who have required plumbing services in the past.
The bottom line is this: don’t try plumbing 101 yourself unless you have some prior knowledge. You might find yourself in a bigger mess than before, when calling a good plumber could have easily solved the issue straightaway. They’re worth the extra money you pay them, so don’t skimp!