Times To Call In A Plumber And Times It Can Be Avoided
When the family budget is not tight, many people will choose to call in a plumber to save the mess and fuss of any plumbing problems they have. A lot of people however, are more budget conscious than ever today and whenever possible they are trying to avoid major expenses. There are certainly plumbing problems that require a professional, but there are others that might easily be solved by the home owner.
Most common problems in a home can be easily solved with a plunger and a very small plumbers snake, which is readily available in a hardware store. A snake is a flexible rod that can be worked into a pipe for a short distance to help stubborn clogs beyond the reach of the plunger. There is no need to go for the professional models since if the small snake does not do the job, it will certainly be time to call in a plumber. If the snake is not available then a wire coat hanger may well do the job.
There are projects which are simply not do it yourself. When it comes to working on gas lines it is important to have a professional plumber do it. Copper pipes require welding and many homeowners do not have the tools to accomplish that. Sewers, well those are usually best left to the pros as well.
Bathroom clogs especially in the sink or shower are often caused by a collection of hair. The plunger may not be as effective on hair clogs even if a tight seal is made and a lot of pressure applied. This is where the short plumber snake can come in handy. Threading the snake or wire coat hanger down a short way into the pipe could loosen the hair clog and allow it to break up. The homeowner should be very careful not to damage plastic pipe by trying to force the snake or wire downward past the point it can go.
Unclogging kitchen sink drains is a relatively easy matter with the plunger if a few steps are taken first. The plunger should fit directly over the drain and make a tight seal. A gentle push on the plunger will rarely accomplish much either, it requires some effort to get the suction going to dislodge a plug. There should be no other outlet for the water since how effective the plunger is, depends on forcing the water and air downward to help clear clogs. That means the other sink in a double sink home should be tightly covered and sealed.
Sometimes the snake doesn’t work, and the plunger is useless and the homeowner might try other remedies before calling a plumber. Products that are commonly sold to dissolve clogs may well work. However they are a weak acid and may well do harm to plastic pipes. It is important to read the directions on these products carefully and follow them exactly.
With enough time and persistence even some difficult projects might be accomplished by the home repair fan. On the other hand in terms of cost, frustration and parts it may well be better to call in a plumber. Some situations demand a professional such as installing LP powered hot water heaters.
Replacing pipes may well be within the scope of some repair people however it could be more time consuming and expensive than calling in a professional Burlington plumber. One of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make is choosing an untrained handy person rather than a professional. While a professional plumber will have training and usually insurance in case of damage, the average handy man will not.
Looking for a professional plumber? Be sure to check Hamilton plumbing to handle all your plumbing needs. We can help you with septic systems, wells and pumps, drain clearing, and backflow prevention.
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