We’ve heard it time and time again, “My handy husband tried fixing it, but he made it worse” or, “I thought I fixed it, but the problem came back”. Living in a “Do It Yourself” way of life has propelled society into a whole new era of aspiring handymen and women who can do just about anything with the simple click of the mouse. Need to learn how to change the oil in your car? Sure, there are hundreds of step-by-step video tutorials for that. Want to diagnose that nagging cough that just won’t go away? A simple search result from Dr. Google will have you back on your feet in no time!
Online tutorials, blogs, videos, and home improvement shows have given us the confidence to take that adventurous step into the unknown and fix little problems around the house ourselves. For many homeowners, when things turn out right, this is a huge financial saving and it is extremely satisfying to see the fruits of their labor. On the other hand, however, when things go wrong, they tend to go terribly wrong and the homeowner ends up with an even larger bill in the end. So let us tell you this when it comes to your home plumbing system, there are definitely some minor tasks that you can DIY without a problem, but there are other things that should ONLY be left to an expert plumbing technician. Here are a few:
1. Water Heater Installation: Although it may seem easy to do for some homeowners, water heater installation can be a bit more complex than you may think. There are codes that must be met to ensure proper installation and avoid future problems like costly water leaks, gas leaks (if using a gas unit), and even major malfunctions. In addition, did you know that for some manufacturers, if your water heater is not installed by a licensed professional you may be voiding the warranty that comes with the unit? It’s true! So let’s leave this one to a licensed expert.
2. Gas Line Work: Installing or repairing a gas line or even dealing with a gas line leak is extremely complicated and highly dangerous work. Certified plumbing technicians are properly trained and have the necessary tools needed to solve sensitive gas line plumbing issues in a safe and efficient manner. Attempting to DIY when it comes to gas line issues can be a serious threat not only to you and your family and your home, but it can also seriously affect your neighbors, or even your entire block if a gas explosion were to occur. Therefore, this type of job should never be performed or attempted by anyone other than an expert plumber who is licensed and trained for your safety and protection.
3. Tub Fixture Installation: With the right tools, replacing a sink faucet can be a breeze, if you’re handy at that sort of thing, but installing a tub fixture is a bit more complicated and takes a lot more elbow grease and know-how to get the job done right. In this case, the water shut-off valve is not readily accessible like the ones located under the sink or next to the toilet. For a tub fixture replacement, the wall needs to be opened up in order to access the shut-off valve. This can be pretty tricky if your shower walls are nicely tiled. There are various tricks and techniques that licensed and experienced plumbers are trained to perform to get the job done right and leave you with a nice finished look. If this is not done correctly, you may end up with a poor re-tile job, a continuous leak, or even worse, mold inside your walls! So once again, leave this to a professional!
Overall the best advice we can give is to know your limits. If something seems complicated or a bit out of reach it is best to leave it to the experts at Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer. Trying to fix a complicated plumbing issue yourself will not only be time-consuming, but it may cause a larger problem later down the road which can potentially end up costing you a lot more in the end.