Know When To Call A Handyman or Plumber

We’ve probably all been there – a little leak from the faucet, a toilet that isn’t flushing right, some moisture gathering under the sink, and we thought we could fix it on our own. After all, it doesn’t take a professional handyman or plumber to lay down some plastic, tighten a little valve, or fill up a tank, right?

Well, maybe not. But it does take a professional to know when there’s more to it than a “quick fix.”

Pipes Are Like Cars

Your plumbing system is much like your car: when something is wrong, you may be able to get away with it for a while, but sooner or later that “warning sign” is going to make itself be known. Similar to changing oil or filling your wiper fluid, there are definitely some plumbing issues anyone with a few basic tools can handle. However, it’s been seen too many times that a DIY plumbing job goes wrong, resulting in money spent on the initial attempt to repair it plus the money spent calling a handyman or plumber. Attempting to fix the problem on your own could also end in more time spent, leading to flooding, severe water damage, or sewage backup.

Making the Assessment

For the most part, you probably have good judgment on whether something is worth fixing on your own. When your water pressure is lower, you can clean your shower head, check the water meter valve, or perform several other relatively easy repair tasks. If you find yourself stuck, here is a guide we recommend for when to turn to a plumber.

• You have little to no experience working with plumbing.
• You find a tutorial to repair the problem, but it requires you to spend money on tools you don’t see yourself using ever again.
• You risk a health hazard or property damage if the repair is done incorrectly.
• You aren’t sure whether you can safely complete the task without risking your plumbing.
• There is an emergency situation that requires fast plumbing repair.

A good all-encompassing rule of thumb for this is if you aren’t sure about what you’re doing, you probably shouldn’t do it. All it takes is that tiny mistake or wrong twist to start a huge problem. And similar to those car problems, ignoring a pestering issue may just ultimately make the problem a lot worse down the road. It is almost always better to have a professional make a minor fix now, rather than waiting for the huge fix in the long-term. If you live in an COA community, you can learn how to handle condo water leaks by reading this article.

And of course, don’t hesitate to give your trusted contracting company a call so you can explain your problem and get a consultation on the project without having to hire someone on the spot. They can tell you whether it sounds like something basic, or more serious. If someone needs to come see the damage in person, it may be beneficial to get eyes on the problem sooner than later. If you need any help with the installation process, feel free to call 833-GET-AVID, email info@avidcontractors.com, or click our logo below.