With the internet at your fingertips, it’s easy to find a how-to video on just about anything. However, there are some home plumbing problems you should never attempt to solve on your own. Watson’s Plumbing Heating & Building Services is a Top Rated Local® provider of residential and commercial plumbing services in the Manhattan and Bronx area. Read on to learn about home plumbing problems you should never DIY, and contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Problems With Your Gas Lines
Let’s get this heavy hitter out of the way first. If you smell the trademarked rotten egg smell of a gas leak, you need to evacuate your home immediately and take every living thing in your house with you. Gas leaks are a serious safety hazard that can result in a loss of consciousness if you are exposed for even a second too long. In worst case scenarios, gas leaks can combust and cause a deadly explosion in your home. If you think there is a problem with your gas lines, call a plumber who is certified to deal with natural gas.
Frozen Pipes
This is a timely one as we head into the coldest months of the year. If your faucets, shower, and other fixtures stop producing water this winter, there’s a good chance that you’re dealing with frozen pipes. If you are still able to get a small trickle of water, your pipes might be partially frozen. Either way, you should still call a plumbing contractor and have them take care of the issue for you. Ambitious DIYers may be tempted to use a heat source to try and thaw the pipes themselves, but this cycle of freezing and thawing can weaken your pipes and cause them to burst.
Flooding
While it’s advisable to take measures to contain any flooding and prevent it from damaging your property, you should not attempt to find the source of the flooding and fix it yourself. In most cases, flooding is caused by a blockage in the pipes, but locating and removing the blockage can cause more harm than good. In many cases, the blockage may be too far into your pipes for you to reach it with the plumbing equipment you’ll find at your local hardware store, and you could wind up damaging your pipes in the process. DIYers who attempt to fix flooded pipes on their own may find themselves in worse shape than when they started.
Installing Plumbing Appliances
There are lots of reasons why you should never attempt to install plumbing appliances on your own. Large appliances like water heaters require extensive training and expose you to high-levels of electricity that can cause you serious harm. When it comes to installing any other plumbing appliance, you need to ensure that the job is done correctly and that it compliments the rest of your plumbing system. One wrong move can damage your new appliance and everything it’s hooked up to and lead to costly plumbing repairs.
A strong DIY spirit will get you far as a homeowner, but you need to know when to draw the line and call in the professionals. Watson’s Plumbing Heating & Building Services can handle all of your residential plumbing issues and keep your home comfortable. Get in touch with us today to schedule an estimate.