Are you unsure whether or not you can fix a leaky faucet? What about an overflowing toilet or low water pressure?
Before you dive into temporary solutions and cheap how-to books (or call your neighbor who thinks they understand plumbing), take a deep breath! Ask yourself if you’re able to conduct research and come up with a solution -- or if you should call a professional from the start.
Check out how you should evaluate your ability to maintain and/or repair residential plumbing, based on the following advice from the experts at Warner Service:
Ask yourself the right questions. You most likely don’t have the trade skills or experience to understand the intricacy of bathroom plumbing anatomy or sewer drainage systems. However, you do have the ability to ask the right questions when a plumbing problem arises.
Is this an emergency? Does this have a do-it-yourself solution? Do I have the right tools to solve this plumbing problem? How long has this been an issue in my home?
By gathering this basic information, you’re preparing yourself to do personal research on a plumbing diagnosis and solution. You have the necessary knowledge to also call a plumbing professional, if the solution seems too advanced, if it’s an emergency, or if you don’t have the right tools.
Get educated. You don’t have to wait until plumbing catastrophes arise to get educated on pipes and drainage. By reading beginners posts from a reputable source like Warner Service, you’re more aware of which tools to pack in an emergency plumbing kit, warning signs of potential plumbing catastrophes, how the cold weather affects your pipes, and more.
To brush up on how to evaluate and take care of your residential plumbing, check out Warner Service’s top five fan-favorite blogs:
- Toilet Anatomy 101: Your Toilet Parts and How They Work
- 9 Eco-Friendly Drainage Products for Your Pipes
- A Quick Guide To Your Bathroom Sink Plumbing
- Why Is My Plumbing Making That Sound?
- How To Clear A Drain Using A Drain Snake
You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, and check out more residential plumbing education from HomeAdvisor or American Water Resources.
Test yourself. Don’t create a plumbing problem to test what you think you know. Instead, test your knowledge of plumbing anatomy and tools by taking The Ultimate Basic Plumbing Quiz from HowStuffWorks or the Monthly Plumbing Quiz: Tools of the Trade by Contractor magazine.
These free online resources help you evaluate your residential plumbing education without ever leaving home or paying for a professional trade class.
Call a plumbing professional. Do you know which plumbing problems require the help of a professional? The most common issues, including a dripping faucet, clogged drain, or blocked toilet, are solved by carefully using inexpensive at-home tools like wrenches, drain snakes, and plungers.
However, a few common plumbing mishaps require the skills of a local and licensed professional. For example, don't be afraid to call a pro if you’re experiencing weak water pressure in the shower or sink, a dying washing machine, or frozen pipes.
Before you call a local professional or attempt a do-it-yourself solution, it’s best to follow this learning advice. Ask yourself the right questions, do some reputable research, test your basic knowledge, and don’t be afraid to call a professional when you need a little help.
If you want to learn more about plumbing anatomy and drainage systems, subscribe to Warner Service’s monthly newsletter. Click on the button below to receive industry news, company updates, and product spotlights from our experts -- right to your inbox:
