While most major problems with your home’s plumbing system are best dealt with by the professionals, by equipping yourself with the knowledge of basic plumbing repair, you can save money and attempt some repairs yourself. No matter how inexperienced you may be when dealing with plumbing, there are a few basics that can keep you from making some of the common mistakes.
The first step when you encounter a problem is to troubleshoot. The more you know about the problem, the better off you are in trying to solve it. Typically, a plumbing problem is apparent, for example, if a sink is clogged or a toilet won’t flush, it is hard to miss. Because there is not one fix for all problems, you will also need to do some research on your specific problem, but there are still plumbing repair basics that can help.
For one, you should know if running water is involved. Issues like ruptured pipes or deep cleaning a clog will require halting the water in the pipes, so take the time to know where your water shut-off valve is. You should also be wary of red flags that signal an underlying problem. Some of these symptoms include puddles under pipings, strange smells or discolored water coming from sinks, weak water pressure, or slow drainage.
While it may be tempting to ignore these red flags, they indicate a greater problem that should be taken care of. Whether you want to put your newly found plumbing repair skills to the test or want the comfort of mind and have the job done by a licensed and insured plumber, the choice is yours. But either way, the work should not be postponed. So,
keep these plumbing repair basics in mind and you should begin to understand your home’s plumbing problems a little better.
