When is it a good time to call in a professional plumber? When you can’t fix your plumbing problems on your own. After you have attempted to unclog your sink or used a plunger on a plugged toilet and it still doesn’t work, it may be time to let your fingers do the walking through the yellow pages or the Internet to find a plumbing company in your area to help you out. Other plumbing jobs may be too complicated, complex or even dangerous.
1. General plumbing problems
Plumbing problems by their nature are almost always inconvenient. We kind of get used to having clean, running water and a hot shower or bath does not seem to much of a luxury to ask for. When one of these choices runs out we have to fix them and quickly. That’s a good time to call the pros in on the job. Plumbers know how the system works and how to repair or replace what went wrong. This includes not having any water, sewer or septic tank problems, and leaky or faulty piping.
2. Water problems
Low water pressure or no water at all is a signal that you need professional plumbing help. This is not likely an issue you can resolve on your own, even if you knew the cause of your problem. It might be a leak somewhere inside the system, or an obstruction or blockage in the water line. In any case, you won’t have the tools or expertise to fix this quickly and it might even involve digging up, reconstruction and further repairs.
A professional plumbing company will inspect and analyze the situation quickly and then make the necessary repairs to the situation back to normal as quickly as possible. Then you can get your water running freely again and enjoy a nice long, warm, soak in the tub.
3. Sewer and septic tank problems
You’ve tried your best to get your toilets unclogged, but there’s still a problem. Time to call in the pros because it likely means that the problem is located in your sewer line. That might even be a blockage somewhere along the line in your pipe system to the main sewer outside. Your friendly neighbourhood plumber can help. Call then up and they will first check inside your house and then start inspecting the lines that lead out of your house into the main sewer system. If the problem is outside your system they get the municipal authorities to fix it for you.
For those in rural areas who rely on a septic tank, you almost always need a plumber if you have a problem like a backed-up system. Those leaks can be damaging and dangerous to you, your family, your pets and the local environment. Call in the professionals before the stink gets out of control.
4. Piping problems
You could try and replace old piping by yourself to save money, but there are some risks in that approach. First of all, there may be more problems than leaks when you start digging up an old piping system. You could even cause more damage unless you are very cautious and careful. Old piping may be corroded and rusted and sometimes spot welding may be required. That is not normally a job for the everyday handy man or woman.
Even worse, there could be gas lines near the water lines and any accidental rupture could have serious repercussions. You have to know what you are doing when you pick up an acetylene torch to weld old pipes back together. This is one job that is best left to professional plumbers who have the right equipment and training to replace and repair old piping safely.