When a DIY Is Really a Project for Professional Plumbers

By: Guest Author

When the need for a plumber arises, it can be an unbelievable headache. Plumbing issues always seem to start when you are expecting company or are about to go out of town, so finding a quick and reliable plumber is of the utmost importance. Honestly, even if you’re not tight on time, you surely want to avoid water damage, so, once again, the faster your plumber can get there, the better. If you’re not sure whether a plumber can fix the kind of problem you’re having, take a look at www.SpartanRooter.comfor a list of services commonly rendered by professional plumbing companies.

DIY Toilet Fixes

Perhaps one of the worst possible plumbing problems you can have is a problem with your toilet. Now, whether or not these problems actually are the worst depends on how grossed out you are by toilets. If you’re not too squeamish, there are actually a few things you can try before you call a plumber. If your toilet is randomly flushing itself, you’re probably looking at a leak into the toilet bowl from the tank. In order to find the leak, you should drain the tank and check on the condition of the flapper. If the flapper is looking like it should be replaced, replace it and that is likely to fix the problem.

If your toilet bowl seems to be emptying slower and slower as time goes on, there is a good chance that the little holes on the underside of the seat’s rim are getting clogged. Luckily, this is an easy fix that just requires the purchase of a small wire with which you poke the holes to remove any and all debris built up there. That should fix your problem. Despite the terror the word “toilet clog” brings to people everywhere, the problem is usually pretty easy to fix. In general, you have two options: a plunger and an auger. For the majority of clogs, a plunger, especially a force-cup plunger, will work perfectly well. If, however, your clog is especially stubborn, you may need to use a closet auger, which is a snake-like contraption with a hand crank.

When to Call a Pro

As you can tell, there are a fair amount of plumbing problems that you can tend to yourself. It is, however, very important to know when you should call a professional. If what you need a plumber for has anything to do with tearing things apart, running gas lines, or any other major kind of work, call a professional. One reason a professional is important in projects like these is that he or she will know if and what kind of permits are required. Failure to obtain a proper permit can land you in some hot legal water. Perhaps the most disgusting of all plumbing problems, a main line stoppage will also require the services of a professional. If you’re unsure of what a main line stoppage problem is, the simple version is that your toilet backs up into your showers and drains. Yeah, you probably didn’t want to tackle that one anyway. For more information on available services, visit www.SpartanRooter.com.