Considerations for Do It Yourself Plumbing Repairs

Simple problems can easily be fixed by a do-it-yourself-er; however there are some things you need to consider. How much experience have you had? Do you have the right tools for the job? Do you have the time to finish the project? Will you actually save money by doing it yourself instead of hiring a professional plumber?

Before you undertake a major plumbing project, you should start with something simple. Unclogging a drain, replacing a leaky faucet, or replacing the workings inside the toilet tank are good projects to start on. As you get more comfortable working with plumbing issues, you will soon know if plumbing is something you feel comfortable doing or not.

Call in a professional plumber for back-up when you find yourself in over your head. Nothing can replace their knowledge and experience, not to mention the fact that they will have just the right tool for the job. There’s a reason plumbers are well paid, they earn it.

Different jobs call for different tools, but there are some basic plumbing tools no plumber should be without. For starters, a basic home repair kit should include a variety of wrenches (including a pipe wrench), pliers, screwdrivers, a sharp knife, a hacksaw, plumbers tape or putty, and a plunger. A plumber’s snake is also valuable for unclogging drains.

plumbing repair

For larger projects, your toolbox should include a pipe cutter, metal file, sanding paper, propane torch, flux and solder. Of course, you should also know how to use all these tools safely. From personal experience I can say that it takes a long time for a burnt finger to heal after being torched, not to mention the possibility of burning the house down!

Many people feel they can save money by doing their own repairs. When figuring out the cost of repairs, remember to figure in the cost of materials, tools and your time (and remember most jobs take longer than expected.) Once you’ve determined that, you can better see how much money you would actually save compared to hiring a professional plumber.

If you decide to tackle the project yourself, remember to first turn off the water, either at the nearest cut off valve, or the main water to the house. Assemble your tools, get a helper and work carefully. If it looks like you’ll be in over your head, call a professional plumber instead.

Knowing how to do minor plumbing repairs can save you time. It can be a great benefit to know how to unclog the kitchen sink or toilet as soon as possible instead of waiting for a plumber to arrive. Knowing simple repairs will also make you popular with your friends in their time of need.