Imagine coming home one afternoon and finding your kitchen floor flooded with water. Or perhaps you own an apartment building and you receive a call from a tenant complaining about a faucet leak. It’s obvious that plumbing repair is needed immediately. The biggest decision you’ll have to make however is: Can I fix this myself or do I call a plumber? The answer really depends on the severity of the problem. However, you’d be amazed at how many plumbing problems can be solved on your own with a little research and patience. There are many books and online resources available that describe how to fix typical plumbing problems step-by-step.
Some of the most common plumbing problems that can be fixed without calling a plumber include:
- Faulty toilet fixture that leaks. The fixture can be easily replaced. Determine the type you need for your toilet when purchasing it. Virtually all of them have do-it-yourself instructions right on the box.
- Clogged water drain. This is probably one of the easiest to fix. This may require nothing more than using a plunger or a liquid to dissolve the clog. A more serious clog may require inserting a “snake” into the drain which can also be done by yourself.
When purchasing tools at a hardware store to fix a plumbing problem, ask an employee for help if in doubt about what tools you need for a particular problem. You’d be amazed how helpful they can be.