Nobody wants to call the plumber for an emergency kitchen sink repair, a bathroom repair — or even regular maintenance. In the past, this has led many people to attempt repairs on their own. While it’s easy to understand why you would want to do your own repairs, the fact is that it’s not as much of a money-saver as you might think. In fact, many amateur plumbers end up doing more harm than good. Then, when they have to call the plumber to fix the damage they’ve done, it ends up costing more than it would have had they just called the professionals in the first place. While something like a kitchen sink repair may look simple at first, it’s actually a fairly complex process that requires professional knowledge of how plumbing works. Of course, expert plumbers aren’t just there for emergency repairs. Many offer full service plumbing maintenance, which can actually keep those expensive repairs from becoming necessary. It’s also a good idea to call your plumber if you’re planning a bathroom or kitchen remodeling job — that way, you can make sure that all is working as it should, and that your remodel isn’t going to disrupt the plumbing system of your home. Below, we’ll list a few things that you may want to talk to your plumber about — before anything gets out of hand.
1. Leaks
Household leaks can be easy to dismiss. Unless they’re extremely visible, they may be difficult to notice in the first place. And even if you have noticed them, you may brush them off unless they’re causing visible water damage or other inconveniences. This is actually the real problem with leaks; they seem harmless at first, and by the time the damage has been noticed it’s gotten completely out of control and expensive to fix. For that matter, you’re probably losing not only water, but a lot of money while the leak goes on. It’s estimated that the average household’s leaks can account for about 10,000 gallons of water lost each year. That’s the amount of water it takes to finish 270 loads of laundry, to put it in perspective. In fact, 10% of homes have water leaks that waste 90 gallons of water or more each day. All in all, this means that if you have a plumber fix these simple leaks, you can save about 10% on your monthly water bill. That’s no small number in the grand scheme of things.
2. Remodeling
A remodeling is actually a great time to have things repaired or, if necessary or wanted, entirely replaced. Certainly, if you’re having your kitchen or bathroom remodeled, you may want to have a plumber inspect everything to ensure that all looks well. A kitchen sink repair could easily be thrown into your remodeling job if you don’t want the sink itself entirely replaced — and there’s a chance that you could get a better rate on that kitchen sink repair if you’re having a number of other fixes or inspections done at the same time. Remodeling jobs tend to “gut” certain pairs of the house, which means that if there are underlying issues that you aren’t aware of, the expenses can get out of control very fast. It may be a good idea to have a plumber do an inspection before any work begins — just to be on the safe side. While it may add some time to the job, it’s better safe than sorry in this case.
3. Frozen Pipes
Frozen pipes are, unfortunately, an issue that many Americans have to deal with during the winter. And often, greater issues can occur than just freezing. The issue is that when temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, pipes can not only freeze but break. Even if they crack, you have a serious problem; a pipe with a one-eighth inch crack can lose about 250 gallons of water a day. Not only is this water and money lost — it can also destroy floors, furniture, appliances, and much more.
