Spending money on a plumber or other personal service can be hard on the budget, but sometimes it’s necessary. These days, most people are on a strict budget. The economy has left quite a few average Americans in financial straits. Foreclosures are skyrocketing, home prices are falling, jobs are scarce, and layoffs are rampant.
Even if these terrible financial facts haven’t touched a person directly, the news of them is enough to scare a person’s spending habits into frugality. While frugality is smart, sometimes it’s more financially smart to pay for a job done competently than to mess it up yourself. When is it necessary to call a professional and when is it okay to do it yourself? Here are some things to think about:
– Mechanically inept: If a person has a low mechanical IQ (you know who you are!), it would be better not to mess with the plumbing. This is especially true in the case of broken pipes or faucets. Incompetence can surely make things worse.
– Clogged toilet: The average person can probably unclog their own toilet. Every home should have a plunger nearby for these cases. A plunger is a rubber suction cup on the end of a wooden or plastic pin that is designed to push out the clog. Placing the suction cup over the opening underwater and then giving it a few quick pushes down will cause pressure that will fix the problem.
– Sink won’t drain: Your local hardware store sells a variety of solutions to chemically dissolve debris blocking the drain. Following the instructions on the package of the store-bought cleaner should be enough. If a garbage disposal isn’t working, press the red reset button under the sink.
– Frozen pipes: In cold regions of the country, many houses have to deal with frozen pipes. Insulating them with foam insulation pipes can make a big difference. Keeping the house properly heated and the faucets running so that they drip can also prevent them from freezing. If they break, you will need to call a plumber.
– New installations: Plumbing installations must be carried out by an authorized professional. This is an important system within a home and must be done expertly. Improperly installed pipes, water and sewer lines will be a nightmare for the duration of their existence. Get it right the first time.
– Preventive advice: Prevention is better than cure. Teach children to throw away only a few tissue sheets at a time. Many young children have thrown away entire rolls of toilet paper simply because they had no idea. All the inhabitants of the house must be aware of what should be thrown away and what should not. No Q-tips, hairballs, diapers, or paper towels, please.
All adults will have to deal with plumbing problems of one kind or another if they live in a house or apartment. It is important to know the preventive tips, the DIY possibilities and when it is time to call a professional plumber.