When Is It Time To Call a Plumber?

Whether you consider yourself a total do-it-yourselfer or a complete rookie when it comes to home repairs, it’s important to know when it’s time to leave something to the professionals.

All too often, homeowners try to cut costs by trying to repair water issues themselves and end up causing more damage that can be twice as costly to repair in the end.

A good rule of thumb to work from is that if you can’t properly diagnose the source of the issue, it’s best not to try to fix it yourself, and to call a plumber instead.

Here are seven situations that should alert you that it’s time to call a plumber:

1. Bathtub, Sink, or Toilet That Won’t Drain

Most clogs will only worsen if they’re not dealt with immediately. Now there are ways that you can unclog a toilet without a plunger, but if over-the-counter drain cleaners, plungers, or drain snakes aren’t working, call a plumber immediately before the clog gets worse. Trying to repair the clog yourself, you may end up scratching the porcelain or damaging the pipes.

2. Dripping Faucet

While in most cases you may be able to easily tighten a leaky faucet, not all faucets are quick fixes. A small leak may not seem like a big deal, but a leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drop per second can waste up to 3,000 gallons in one year—the equivalent of 174 showers. It’ll likely cost you much more to let the faucet leak than it would to call a plumber.

3. Poor/Inconsistent Water Pressure

Whether it’s poor water pressure from a single faucet, or a common issue across your entire home, it’s best to call a plumber if you’re having water pressure issues. While it may be as simple as cleaning out a single fixture or unclogging a pipe, there may be bigger issues with your water supply that need to be resolved.

4. Frozen Pipes

Trying to thaw frozen pipes on your own could result in cracked pipes or even worse, full bursts. To save yourself from a huge mess, call a water damage restoration specialist.

5. Water Heater Issues

If your water isn’t getting hot enough or water temperature is inconsistent, it’s likely you have water heater issues that need to be looked at by a professional. If your water heater isn’t getting hot enough, it can become a cesspool for bacteria. And nobody likes sudden bursts of scalding water in the shower. Tinkering with a flammable, pressurized water heater on your own can be dangerous so leave it to the pros.

6. Home Renovation Projects

If you’re doing home renovations that involve plumbing in any way, it’s best to seek out the services of a plumber. They can ensure that all proper permits have been acquired and that all work is up to code.

7. Visible Leaks or Water Damage

If there are any signs of water damage in your home, including water stains or mold, call a plumber or water restoration specialist immediately. Water damage in your home can cause mold, which can be hazardous to your health.

For more helpful plumbing tips or to seek consultation about any water damage in your home, contact a local water restoration specialist today.

Author:
Water Damage Advisor

The Water Damage Advisor content team is made up of multiple contributors, writers, and editors. We are your resource hub for anything related to water damage, mold and restoration needs that you may be challenged with facing.

4 References
  1. HomeWaterWorks. (2016) Showers. Retrieved from: http://www.home-water-works.org/indoor-use/showers
  2. Benjamin Franklin. (2014) 5 Signs You Need To Call A Plumber. Retrieved from: https://www.benjaminfranklinplumbing.com/blog/5-signs-you-need-to-call-a-plumber
  3. Custom Air & Plumbing. (2017) 3 Signs It's Time to Call a Plumber. Retrieved from: http://customairinc.com/blog/3-signs-time-call-plumber
  4. Texas Plumbing Diagnostics. (2015) 12 Signs It's Time to Call a Plumber. Retrieve from: https://tpdtx.com/12-signs-its-time-to-call-a-plumber/
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