Indoor plumbing is a convenience that a lot of people take for granted. We don’t think twice when we turn on the shower to bathe each day or turn on the faucet to wash our hands or brush our teeth. Filling buckets with water to clean or flushing the toilet are second nature. And whether someone has a dishwasher or washes their dishes by hand it’s nothing to hit a couple of buttons or fill up the sink. Don’t forget about washing clothes either, where it’s at home or a laundromat, most people don’t even think about how it wouldn’t be possible without indoor plumbing. But, once it’s no longer available you realize just how much you rely on it and just how much you take advantage of it.
Imagine having a clog so bad that each time you use the water in your home it backs up through another drain. Or having a sewer pipe break under your home leaking raw sewage in your basement or crawl space wreaking havoc on your foundation. Maybe a pipe bursts flooding your home and preventing you from being able to use any water. Situations like these, make you value having a working plumbing system and remind you that indoor plumbing is not something to be taken granted for.
But what happens when something does go wrong? How do you know when it’s best to contact a professional versus trying the good old do it yourself method?
DIY Plumbing Repair
Plumbing systems can be complex but not everyone is in the position where they can contact a plumber with every little issue. That is why it is good to know what issues can be repaired yourself.
- Jammed Garbage Disposal—At times small things may become trapped in your garbage disposal and can easily be removed. Just make sure and unplug the disposal before working on it.
- Common Toilet Issues—Most people have run into the issue where a toilet doesn’t flush, and they have been able to reattach a chain or remove an obstruction from the flushing mechanism. Some people can even replace a damaged flushing mechanism. It’s just important to only do what you feel comfortable with and call a plumber if you have any problems.
- Leaky Faucet—A dripping faucet can be a sign of a major issue, but it can also be a quick fix. Cleaning out mineral deposits with vinegar or replacing gaskets is something that can usually be fixed easily and on your own.
- Low Water Pressure—Just like a leaky faucet low water pressure can be a sign of a major problem. But before spending money on a plumber you can rule out easy fixes by cleaning the aerator or faucet with vinegar
- Clearing a clog—Drains collect hair, soap and even grease. Though some clogs are too deep into your system for you to fix them yourself, sometimes you can easily pull out the clog with a wire hanger or dissolve it with baking soda and vinegar or super-hot water and some detergent.
It is important to remember DIY methods are not guaranteed. If you have any questions or if the methods you are using aren’t working then your first call should be to a professional plumber in the Rock Hill, SC area. Afterall, you don’t want to turn a small issue into a big issue.
Professional Plumbing Repair
Knowing when to contact a professional plumber can save you a lot of time and money.If you are ever not sure, it’s better to be safe than sorry and call a professional. Plumbers go through schooling, training and testing so they can handle any plumbing issue. So, if you have any of the below problems or simply think there may be something wrong with your plumbing call a professional.
- Broken Pipes—Broken pipes are a serious issue that can lead to additional damage to your home. There a lot of websites and videos that will show you how to fix the pipe yourself but this is definitely not recommended. A busted pipe needs to be repaired by a professional plumber to guarantee that no additional problems will occur.
- Clogged Toilets—A clogged toilet can be a DIY issue which is why plungers are sold. And sometimes all a toilet needs is a good plunging to get rid of a clog close to the surface. However, sometimes items that clog your toilet go a lot deeper then what a plunger can handle and the clog is actually located in your pipes. No matter how hard you plunge you will not be able to remove that clog or get it to flush through, only a professional with the right equipment will be able to get your toilet and the associated pipes flowing again.
- Clogged Pipes—Yes, as we discussed some clogs are easy to get out because they are right below the surface of a drain, but others are much deeper. Sometimes putting things down a garbage disposal that shouldn’t go down it or even a build up of grease can cause a clog farther than at home fixes can reach. A plumber is the only person with the equipment and training to be able to solve these hard to get to clogs.
- Sewer and Septic Tank Issues—Most people don’t want to handle repairs associated with their sewer pipes and septic tanks and for good reason. There are a lot of things that can cause problems with your sewer system from broken pipes to tree roots. Any time you smell sewage it is best to call a plumber and have them inspect the problem, determine the issue and repair it.
Again, a good rule of thumb is that if you aren’t sure contact a plumber. Fixing any of the above issues might seem easy, but there could be other factors involved that you aren’t aware of. So, don’t turn a twenty-minute fix into a two-hour fix, call a plumber to begin with and save yourself a headache.
Who Can Handle Plumbing Repair in Rock Hill, SC
AAA City Plumbing should be your first call when you need your plumbing repaired. They are a family owned and operated business with over thirty years of experience. Their professional, trained, award winning staff is always available to help you with all your Rock Hill plumbing repair needs.
They provide a long list of services including:
To help you not only with your repair needs but also with your maintenance needs. Afterall, sometimes it’s better to catch a issue before it becomes a major problem. So, if you are looking for a plumbing repair in the Rock Hill, SC area look no further than AAA City Plumbing.
