The popularity of DIY shows is growing, as well as the willingness of homeowners to attempt a few DIY projects. It is not surprising that DIY has become more popular with all the useful information available online, such as YouTube.
Some homeowners might even feel confident doing minor plumbing repairs and installations themselves. But, not all plumbing projects can be done safely by you. It will save you time, effort and money to hire a professional Long Beach Plumber for your plumbing needs. There are still some plumbing maintenance tasks that you can learn and do yourself. These are some of the easiest DIY plumbing projects that you can attempt:
DIY Home Plumbing Repairs
Before you begin any DIY, make sure you have enough time, tools, patience, and the right equipment.
- How to Fix a Leaky Faucet. A leaky faucet is often caused by worn-out or misaligned washers. Turn off the water supply to the faucet before you begin this repair. It is usually located under the sink inside the cabinet. After the water supply has been turned off, you can replace or realign the washer.
- Clear Everyday Blockages: Instead of using chemicals that emit harsh fumes and can cause corrosion to your pipes, you can use a plunger to clear most blockages. A drain snake is a great alternative to a plunger. This flexible, steel cable can reach into your pipes and remove stubborn clogs.
- Stop running toilets: A faulty flushing mechanism, or flap within the tank, can cause water to continue leaking from the tank. To have a closer look, remove the tank lid. Our Long Beach Plumbers suggest that you check to make sure the chain is not hung up. If it is, you should reconnect it. Check to ensure that the flushing mechanism has not been damaged, disengaged, or otherwise compromised. If all is well, make sure the flap seals properly. Flappers can wear down and become warped over time.
- Close a water valve or the Master Shutoff Valve. In an emergency, speed can make the difference between a puddle or a flood. It is important to identify the location of your main water valve and how to turn it off if there is a leak. If not dealt with quickly, even a small leak could quickly escalate into a major problem. Knowing the location of other water supply valves is a good idea in case you need to shut off water to an appliance like your dishwasher or water heater.
- Repair Low Water Pressure in Your Shower. Often, low water pressure can be traced back to mineral buildup. Giving your shower-head a thorough cleaning can help. You can do this by filling a bag with vinegar and securing it to your shower-head with rubber bands. Let it rest overnight. To remove any mineral deposits, you can use a toothpick to open each jet opening.
- Replace or Install Aerators Aerators are faucet attachments which add air to the water flow. They maintain consistent water pressure and reduce water consumption. To replace or install an aerator, remove the screen from the faucet. You can either clean the sediment off it or reattach it.
Plumber Jobs for the Professional Plumbers
While smaller projects can be done by DIYers, larger plumbing projects have more serious consequences. These projects require advanced DIY skills. It is best to leave these jobs to licensed, skilled and licensed Long Beach Plumbers to save you the hassle and headaches.
- Well pumps: If a well pump is damaged or not functioning properly, it can create excessive water pressure which can cause damage to your plumbing system. It is best to not attempt to fix a faulty pressure system as it could cause injury to yourself or others.
- Water Heaters – Avoid scaling hot water, gas, or electricity. A poorly installed system could cause flooding and other serious damage to your home. This is the type of repair or installation that should be done by a professional plumber.
- Sump pumps: Sump pumps require a high level of technical knowledge. It is not recommended that you attempt to repair or diagnose a sump pump by yourself.
- Septic System Cleaning: Due to the specialized training, equipment and licensing required to work with septic systems you will be better off calling professionals to clean and/or repair your system.
- Working on Gas Lines Immediately get your family out of the way if you smell gas. Then call your gas company. Leakage of gas lines can be dangerous and pose a danger to anyone living nearby. Gas fumes can lead to nausea, lightheadedness, and even death. If the gas is ignited with a spark or flame it can cause an explosion and/or fire, which can lead to extensive damage.
- Removing Plumbing Lines in Renovations: This is a complex job that you should not attempt. There is no margin for error, and mistakes can lead to more serious and extensive problems.
- Replacing main bathroom fixtures. While you may think that installing a bathtub is a simple project, there are many complications that can occur which make this type of project more complicated than it seems. Additionally, errors can cause property damage and additional expenses.