When to DIY and When to Call a Plumber

The holidays can be draining on your finances. So, this time of year, many try to tackle minor repairs themselves. But certain plumbing problems that look like they could be quick fixes have the potential to cause significant damage.

Below are a few examples of when it’s okay to attempt to solve your own plumbing situations and when to call a professional.

Clogged Drain

• You can DIY if it’s a superficial clog that’s close enough to the drain surface for you to resolve the matter with a plunger and a combination of baking soda and vinegar.

• You should call a professional if it’s a deep clog that can’t be removed with a plunger and a home cleaning solution. While many people are tempted to try to fix the problem with store-bought drain cleaners, those chemical-based liquids only offer a temporary solution. A better alternative is calling a professional to snake or hydro-jet the pipes.

Drop in Water Pressure

• You can DIY if it’s a simple solution, like taking apart the end of the faucet or showerhead and cleaning out the aerator, the small screen that helps control the water pressure.

• You should call a professional if cleaning out the aerator doesn’t fix the problem. A drop in water pressure that isn’t easily fixed could be the result of a clogged sewer line or a plumbing break.

Leaky Faucet

• You can DIY if you know you can get to it within a few days.

• You should call a professional if the repair has been on your to-do list for more than a week. Because consider this … if left unrepaired, a faucet that leaks as little as 10 drops of water a minute will end of costing you an additional 500 gallons of water by the end of the year.

If you are experiencing a plumbing problem, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Let us be your plumbing partners, from diagnostics to resolution. After all, Raider Rooter has been providing South Florida with reliable, affordable, and high-quality plumbing services for over 40 years. Happy holidays from all of us at Raider Rooter! Thank you for your support throughout 2019. Raider Rooter’s seasoned professionals will be on hand to assist with your plumbing needs throughout the holiday season and into the new year. Give us a call if you have an unfortunate emergency, or just want to start 2020 off right with a plumbing check-up.