Sooner or later, every homeowner will struggle with plumbing problems. It is normal because the infrastructure’s functionality decreases as time passes. What frequently occurs in many households are leaking taps and blocked drains.
However, many people often become confused about whether it will be better to handle the issues by themselves or let a professional plumber Sutherland Shire do the work. The indecision becomes more apparent because of the cost of plumbing services. If you are also facing the same hesitation, this blog will help you decide by highlighting when is the right time for a DIY repair and when a plumbing expert is needed.
Problem Identification and Situation Analysis
It is important to assess how serious the plumbing issues are to determine the most suitable solution. Not all situations can be handled on your own with limited equipment. Some problems might require complex troubleshooting that can only be done by someone with extensive knowledge and expertise in the plumbing system.
This blog categorises different types of damage based on their severity, highlighting which issues you can handle yourself and which require professional attention.
Minor problems are frequently easy to fix yourself with tools that can be found at home. Here are some issues that are classified in this category.
- Dripping tap: Water constantly comes out of your faucet even though you have turned it off. Not only that it cause unwanted sounds, but also results in a huge water loss that can also raise the monthly bill. In most cases, it is caused by elements from the faucet that started to loosen due to long years of use. Some other cases may also originate from the high water pressure.
- Running toilets: The toilet keeps flushing by itself even when no one is using it. It is noisy and wastes valuable water. The source of the problems is usually an overflow tube, a faulty flapper valve, or a malfunctioning fill valve inside the toilet that fails to function properly.
Other than that, there are also bigger plumbing issues that are too complicated to handle with no expertise and experience, such as:
- Frozen or burst pipes: In cold seasons, the pipeline might become frozen, and when the pressure increases, the pipe may break or burst and make the water keep pouring out and fill your home. In addition, the pipe is also possible to burst when it has been operating for too long and reached the end of its lifespan.
- Blocked drains: Something gets stuck in the piping system and impedes the water circulation. What usually becomes obstruction are meal crumbs, hardened grease, hair, soap scum, leaves and plant trash, and other strange items that are not supposed to get inside the drain. When the pipeline is blocked and not immediately addressed, the buildup may turn bigger and the water flow drops drastically.
- Sewage line issues: Problems can range from slow or clogged drains and corroded pipes to gurgling sounds, sewage backups, and persistent foul odours coming from the drains.
- Malfunctioning water heater: These issues usually revolve around the thermostat and heater components that make the water too hot or not heated. Other problems may lie in the tank deterioration causing discolored water that indicates the presence of corrosive elements and other contaminants.
You require different approaches and equipment to successfully fix all the problems that have been mentioned above. Analysing the root of the problem and how severe the damage is can be a good start to deciding how complex the repair will be. Below you will learn how such difficulties are usually treated.
- Replacing the tap: This process can be accomplished by many homeowners. You just need to shut off the water supply, detach the dripping tap, and change it with the new one. Afterwards, you can turn on the water again to check if the new tap is well-functioning.
- Troubleshooting a running toilet: If the issue is due to a worn or damaged flapper valve, replacing it should solve the problem. However, if the flapper is in good condition, check the float. If it is set too high, the water level may rise excessively, causing continuous water flow into the overflow tube. Adjusting the float to the correct position can help stop the toilet from running.
- Removing the blockage: In many cases, you can clear a clog using a plunger. Start by ensuring there is enough water in the sink to create a proper seal, then plunge up and down several times to dislodge the blockage. However, if the clog persists, is deep within the pipes, or keeps recurring, it indicates a more serious issue that requires professional intervention to prevent further damage or backups.
- Pipe replacement: When the piping network’s condition keeps getting worse, cracking and leaking here and there is an obvious sign for you to remove and place a new and solid pipe in your plumbing infrastructure. This process demands extensive plumbing skills that professional plumbers in Sutherland Shire have.
- Upgrade the water heater: Installing a new water heater may appear to be an easy task. However, if you lack skills, it will only bring hazards to your property, yourself, and your loved ones, as the machine consists of complex elements. Wiring and electrical issues may arise during the process. Therefore, it is recommended to let an experienced team of plumbers complete the work.
- Restoring the sewage line: This process utilises specific plumbing tools that belong to plumbers. Particularly when the repairing process involves trenchless procedures like pipe relining. In such cases, it is best to hire qualified plumbers to provide you with the best solution to restore your sewage line.
Conclusion
A simple DIY approach can be applied to solve some household problems related to plumbing systems. However, it is also important for you to assess the situation and your skills, whether it can bring success or failure to the repair project. If you have doubts, you can immediately reach a trusted plumber in Sutherland Shire to take care of the matter. Their experience will bring more benefits to your plumbing infrastructure as they can finish the job properly.
It is also crucial to understand that some problems require fast action, such as burst pipes and major leaks, which can cause extensive damage if not addressed promptly. For immediate assistance, reach out to an emergency plumber Sydney who can handle plumbing disasters efficiently.
