Have you ever faced a home maintenance problem and thought: “I can fix this”? But try as you might, you just can’t seem to fix it? You might even call in reinforcements, like the neighbor who seems to know how to fix everything. Yet he or she, too, are left scratching their head.
The truth is, sometimes a problem requires the expertise of a professional, especially where plumbing is concerned.
Here are six plumbing problems best left to the pros.
1. A burst pipe.
In most cases, a frozen pipe doesn’t warrant a call to a plumber. However, should the pipe burst, you need to take immediate action. First, shut off the main water supply valve as well as the electricity to the area where the incident occurred. Open all the faucets in the home and call a licensed plumber. Start removing as much water as possible to prevent serious damage to your home and valuables.
2. No hot water.
Assuming you’ve checked the power supply to the water heater, you could be dealing with one or more faulty elements or a water heater leak. The thermostat or electric starter might need to be replaced or there’s a large enough sediment build-up in the bottom of the tank that the unit can’t generate more hot water. There are other possible reasons, and each one of those, as well, requires the services of a licensed plumber.
3. Unexplained low water pressure.
If you notice a sudden drop in water pressure that’s not related to a frozen pipe, work on your town’s supply lines, or that your water valves are fully open, the issue could be corroded, leaking, or severely clogged pipes, just to name a few.
4. Backed-up sewer line.
A foul odor from drains, slow draining tub and laundry lines, or water backing up in toilets and or showers while not in use are all signs of a backed-up sewer line. And if not taken care of right away, things can go from bad to worse in no time.
5. Impossible to clear drain clogs.
You’ve tried the all-natural clog removers, the plunger, the snake, boiling hot water, and all to no avail. Tough clogs require tough love from a professional – and all the right equipment.
6. Anything involving a gas line.
Whether you need to add, move, or cap off a gas line, leave this one to the professionals. And be sure the plumber is also a licensed gas fitter. No one else is legally allowed to handle gas pipes.
Just to put all this in perspective, it takes 7 years, starting with apprenticeship, to become a licensed plumber – about the same amount of time it takes to earn a law degree. So, if you want to be sure the job is done correctly and with your satisfaction guaranteed, all it takes is one call to Messmer Mechanical.