We all know when we need to call a plumber – the toilet is running nonstop; your basement has a foot of water in it; a drain is completely clogged. Those are the crisis calls.
But did you realize there are other times it’s a good idea to call a plumber – even when the faucet is not leaking?
Here are 5 times to consider calling a plumber.
- Maintenance. Most of us think to call a plumber only when there’s an emergency. However, as with other appliances and fixtures in your home, it’s important to hire a professional to perform maintenance, which includes cleaning the drains, checking for leaks and making adjustments with your water heater. By scheduling an annual or bi-annual maintenance check, you can help keep emergencies to a minimum.
- New fixtures. ‘Do-it-yourselfies’ may seem like a good idea – in theory. However, if you’re upgrading your toilets, sinks, or any kind of plumbing, you should let the trained experts make the installation. Being penny wise and pound foolish is the sad end to a lot of DIY projects – and in the end you’ll likely save more money by having these things done professionally.
- Aging pipes inspection. If you have an older home, you may have water lines or fixtures that are starting to corrode. It’s a very good idea to have a professional plumber inspect them, and perhaps take measures to restore or replace them. Otherwise you’re at increased risk of bursting pipes, which means flooding, mold, and loss of valuable property.
- Reduced water pressure. If your water pressure is low and slow, that can be a sign your plumbing is suffering from a buildup of calcium and other minerals. It could also mean the aerator is wearing down, or you have a clog in the plumbing system. This is a good time to contact a plumber to find out the cause of the weak flow.
- That toilet clog isn’t budging. We all face the dreaded toilet clog at some point and our first line of action is to go at it with a plunger. However, if you’ve given it your vigorous best and the clog doesn’t budge, it may be time to call a professional plumber. There could be more serious issues that are related to the sewage line.
Unless you’re faced with an emergency, calling a plumber isn’t likely to be at the top of your to-do list. However, having regularly scheduling maintenance or calling at the first sign of a problem could prevent significant damage. Calling your plumber can sometimes actually save you money in the long run.