There are many times when DIY home plumbing projects can save money. Handy homeowners can make repairs to running toilets, minor leaks, and clogged drains with the right tools. Local home stores make it easy to find the right parts and offer expert tips.
For example, homeowners can easily clear minor hair clogs from shower and lavatory sink drains with specialty tools that won’t damage their drain pipes. With a wrench and a little know-how, tightening loose faucets is another easy home repair that can help save homeowners from paying a licensed plumber.
However, when it comes to protecting your home against water damage, most plumbing repairs are best left to the specialists. Plumbers go through extensive training, education courses, and years of on the job experience to be able to accurately locate and repair leaks, install gas lines safely, and clear drains without damaging pipes.
Here are the top 5 reasons to call a professional plumber in San Diego for your next service.
Safe Repairs
Safety is the number one reason to leave plumbing projects to skilled tradesmen. Plumbing service and repair often requires digging, specialty skills like soldering, and knowledge of plumbing code and how plumbing systems work.
Many home plumbing repairs, such as replacing water or gas lines, and even sewer lines, require digging. Licensed and insured plumbers know to contact the proper authorities prior to any trenching or excavation to mark underground lines that could be damaged in the process. Knowing where the lines run and how to safely access pipes being replaced is part of a plumbers expert knowledge and training.
Specialty skills used such as soldering to repair copper water lines, water shut off valves, and water connections must be performed with precision and care. Since soldering uses open flame, often in enclosed spaces, it poses a serious fire risk. Technicians receive plumbing safety training on a regular basis, and will ensure that your home is protected at all times.
Knowing where water lines run, how sewer systems work, and signs of potential issues is something that takes skill. Professional plumbers can accurately diagnose root causes of plumbing problems and quickly repair them to uniform plumbing code. Many times, plumbing repairs also require city permits and inspections and can only be performed by a licensed plumber.
Avoiding Water Damage
One of the most common calls our office receives is a home repair gone wrong. When dealing with pressurized water lines, not making repairs correctly can cause floods and water damage to your home.
A common instance is replacing water shut off valves and supply lines. Professional plumbers know that when replacing water shutoffs, you must also use new supply lines. When reusing supply lines, it weakens the threading and will cause leaks.
When making repairs to drain lines under sinks, leaks occur with regularity. Being able to know what parts to use, how to connect them, and how much plumbers glue or tape is needed to keep the repair leak free.
A seemingly simple repair, such as snaking drains in high rise buildings is also tricky. It is imperative to check all downstairs units to avoid causing overflows down the line.
After completing repairs to water lines and drains, professional plumbers will test the repair to ensure there are no leaks.
Prevent Future Problems
Plumbers know how to avoid preventable plumbing issues. When you call a quality plumber, not only will a repair be made with expertise, they will educate you on how to avoid the problem in the future.
For example, common kitchen drain clogs can be avoided. Our professional plumbers will assess the cause of the clog and offer plumbing tips on how to avoid slow drains.
Homeowners experiencing excessive fixture leaks may have a larger underlying issue that has to be addressed. Many plumbing leaks are a result of excessive water pressure coming into the home. Experience, training, and knowledge of plumbing systems is how the pros are able to determine the actual causes of issues to make repairs for good.
Professional Grade Equipment & Products
While Local home stores sell an array of plumbing tools, piping, and even water heaters, the products are not always the same ones that professionals are able to use. Many manufacturers make two different kinds of products, the ones they sell to the public and products only sold to licensed professionals.
Water heater and toilets are prime examples. Licensed plumbers get their products from professional supply warehouses that only sell to contractors. These are typically of a higher and more long lasting quality. And there are many products that are not even available to the general public.
There are also professional plumbing solutions, such as sewer camera inspections that should only be performed by licensed specialists. For one, sewer cameras are costly to purchase, and if homeowners are able to find a camera, the quality is not guaranteed. By choosing a professional, they can ensure they are looking at the correct issues, marking the line, and providing the right repair option.
Extended Warranties
One of the best reasons to call an experienced, reputable and professional plumber is the warranty. This goes for choosing individual or unknown plumbers advertising on craigslist as well as DIY repairs.
Professional plumbers guarantee their work and sometimes, offer additional product warranties. After a professional installation, licensed plumbers will provide homeowners with a labor and parts warranty. It does not happen often, but sometimes leaks happen or the manufacturer has a faulty part. By having the pros make the repair and installation, homeowners have someone to call if something has gone wrong.
Additionally, homeowners have a warranty through the manufacturer and the plumber. So if the part is faulty, the plumber will take care of the replacement process. This is one reason Bill Howe uses specific manufacturers — to protect their customers.
We know that installing large home appliances like water heaters is a big investment, and with professional products and a professional installation, homeowners can rest assured that if something goes wrong, they will not have additional costs.
If homeowners are experiencing plumbing problems beyond hair in the drain, it is time to call a professional. For preventative maintenance, we also recommend homeowners schedule a full plumbing inspection annually or at least every 2-3 years. Our team of experts can assess the condition of the plumbing and drain systems and spot any potential issues, before they become major problems.
But if you are committed to a DIY repair, give us a call. We are committed to providing the highest level of service and will happily answer questions and give our honest recommendation. We want to help you save money, and sometimes that means steering you to a safe and easy home repair.
We always offer free onsite estimate so homeowners will know exactly how long a repair takes and what is involved. We offer extensive warranties and stand behind our work. We have been serving San Diego for more than 35 years and will be here for many more for all of your professional plumbing service needs.
Call 1-800 BILL HOWE (245-5469), book an appointment online, or connect with us via Live Chat 24 hours a day, 7 days of a week.
