Most people go through their day washing their hands, making coffee, showering and using the bathroom without ever giving a second thought as to what would happen if the plumbing didn’t work. Plumbing is one of the main arteries of your home; without it, you would not be able to run your water. There are DIY projects you can do yourself and then there are those that you should leave to the experts. The most important thing is to know the warning signs that an issue might be on the horizon and address it before it ever comes to be.

Preemptive measures

You don’t need to be a licensed plumber to perform regular general maintenance in your home to protect it. There are many things you can do to reduce the risk of developing a serious problem. You can check underneath sinks and around your toilets to make sure that there isn’t moisture or a minor leak and remove and clean faucet aerators once a year to guarantee an even flow of water. You should also remove about a gallon of water every few months from your hot water heater to remove sediment and check the flame to make sure that it’s mostly blue. If the flame is mostly yellow you may have a clogged flue which can become a serious problem. In the bathroom, install screens in the bathtub and the shower to eliminate the possibility for hair and soap chips from clogging it and avoid using your sink to drain off fats and oils. Also, every member of your family should know where the main intake water valve is and how to shut it off. If a major leak occurs with a pipe burst, stopping the flow of water is critical in reducing the damage. These common sense practices can help to increase the life span of your plumbing and save you money in the process.

Plumbing repairs for the average homeowner

Plumbing is a trade that takes many hours of schooling and on the job training to become good at it. However, there are many small and minor repairs that you as a homeowner can do without the need for contacting a professional plumber. You can clear a clogged toilet, replace a washer or a valve seat to stop a leaky faucet, clear a drain and fix a repair that’s on an exposed pipe and located on the joint. You can also perform some other DIY projects like repairing or replacing a hose bibb (Click here to learn how to replace a hose bibb) with a little guidance from the internet. Replacing a washing machine hose or a dishwasher is simply a matter of disconnecting the old model and then using those connections to install your new one. Learning to do these things for yourself can save you a lot of money on installation.

Repairs best left for a licensed professional 

While there are many things that you can do on your own with regards to plumbing, there are a few that require the skills of an expert. If a pipe bursts and it’s located in a closed off location getting to it may mean tearing through a wall. In this case, a professional plumber can pinpoint the precise location and minimize the need for cosmetic repair after. A gas line is nothing to learn about as you go along. This is a highly delicate addition that needs the skills of a licensed plumber. If not handled properly or installed incorrectly it can cause serious injuries that may even result in death. While you may feel confident at running the piping to your appliance, only an expert in the field should handle the valves and connections. A garbage disposal may seem like a quick out and then in DIY project, but it’s not just connecting the plumbing but electricity as well.

Plumbing is something you and your family use every day. Take care of your system by not abusing it with globs of toilet paper, hair, and oils. And, keep a watchful eye out for possible leaks and the presence of mold or mildew. If problems begin to appear, get a proper repair in place right away. Running water and drained waste are not things homeowners ever want to go without.