Many homeowners are capable of taking care of basic repairs and maintenance around the house. But when it comes to plumbing, there are some problems that are best left to a professional.
Do not make the mistake of trying to solve a problem that only a professional can. It might either worsen the situation or cause an accident.
So, here are 10 problems only a plumber can fix.
1. Pipe Replacements
The pipes in your plumbing system need replacement at some point. Though, different materials have different lifespans and you take extreme care of your pipelines, they will still need to be replaced sometimes.
FYI:
- Galvanized steel pipelines have a lifespan of 20 to 50 years.
- Copper supply lines have a lifespan of 50 years.
- Brass supply lines have a lifespan of 40 to 70 years.
- Cast iron drain pipes will last between 75 and 100 years.
Nevertheless, the need for a pipe replacement might arise at any moment. When your plumbing pipes wear out, you’ll need to replace them with new ones.
And, rather than attempting to do it yourself, you should hire a professional plumber in Point Cook or wherever you live to replace pipes swiftly and cleanly.
2. Water Line Break
A water pipe travels underground from the street to your home. It supplies your home with the water required on a daily basis.
However, because water lines aren’t in sight, it is not unusual for them to break as they age. And because water pipes are highly pressured, even the smallest leak in one can result in a large amount of wasted water.
Whether your home’s water pressure suddenly drops or you notice water accumulating in your front yard, call a plumber to investigate if there is a water line break.
3. Pipe Relocation
While redesigning a kitchen or bathroom, you may need to move a sink, toilet, or even a bathtub to a different area of the space. This is doable, but it is not always simple.
To move a plumbing fixture, you must also relocate all of the plumbing pipes attached to it. It often involves the removal of flooring and subfloors, as well as the rerouting of plumbing lines across the space.
This is not a task for you or an amateur. But skilled plumbers would know their way around it.
4. Water Heater Installation
One of the riskiest plumbing chores to attempt on your own is water heater installation. You might get hurt if you slip up.
In particular, a gas water heater is extremely dangerous for do-it-yourself installation since it requires fuel, which can create a fire or an explosion if you’re not careful. Furthermore, if your setup isn’t correctly vented, you might have a dangerous carbon monoxide leakage in your home. Carbon monoxide will have no odour and is typically lethal when inhaled. So, instead of taking the chance, hire a plumber.
5. Sewage Line Backup
A sewer line backup is by far the worst of the problems outlined here. If your sewer line clogs, it can spew filthy, bacteria-filled sewage back into your home.
Aside from being unsightly, a sewage line backup may cause considerable damage and even endanger your health. So, make sure to work with a plumber to bring this situation under control as soon as possible.
6. Gas Leaks
If you smell gas in your home, it’s important to leave the house immediately and call 911 from a safe location.
Gas leaks are extremely dangerous and should always be considered an emergency situation. Once you have called 911, you should also call a licenced plumbing contractor who can help assess the situation and make any necessary repairs.
Attempting to repair gas lines or leaks on your own is extremely risky since breathing gas is toxic. You may even cause a big explosion in the worst-case scenario.
7. Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are a typical and inconvenient plumbing issue in winter. When water freezes in pipes, it expands and can cause cracks and leaks.
Many people believe that the best action to take is to defrost the pipes by pouring hot water over them or applying heat with a hairdryer. However, this can ruin your plumbing, resulting in broken pipes or flooding.
So, if your pipes freeze, a skilled plumber can safely thaw them out and even take precautions to prevent them from freezing again in the future.
8. Low Water Pressure
If you notice that there is no water pressure in your house, it might be due to a problem with your town’s water supply. A water main break, for example, might temporarily lower water pressure.
However, if your home consistently has low water pressure, there might be a problem with your plumbing system. The most frequent reasons for low water pressure are your water metre valve being turned off, a closed shut-off valve, or clogs in your plumbing system.
Whatever the situation may be, you will need to call a plumber to locate and repair the source of your low water pressure problem.
9. Extending the Hot Water Lines
If you bought a new dishwasher or washing machine that requires a hot water connection, you could probably connect it yourself.
But if you need to expand the hot water line to supply your new equipment, you should hire a plumber because it is a bit complex. Otherwise, you risk causing a water pressure imbalance or violating plumbing codes.
10. Flooding
Flooding is always frightening, and it’s not uncommon for owners to panic and attempt to unclog the defective pipe themselves. However, without expert equipment, you would be unable to eliminate obstructions within your system. A do-it-yourself approach is likely to harm your plumbing and aggravate the flooding. It also costs you more in the long term.
If the overflow happened for some other reason, such as a broken pipe or tree roots, you most likely wouldn’t be able to handle it by yourself. So, if your home floods, it’s best to hire a professional straight away.
Conclusion
There are some plumbing problems that every homeowner will face at some point or another. And they can solve some of them on their own. But there are also some problems that only a professional plumber can fix safely and effectively.