Is your plumbing system acting up?

Is your plumbing system acting up? If you’re handy around the house, you may be able to perform simple repairs yourself, such as unclogging a toilet, installing a new faucet, or replacing a worn-out toilet flange. However, there are many repairs you should not attempt to do yourself, such as fixing a severely clogged drain, repairing a cracked sewer line, or repiping your house. Here’s why it’s best to leave most plumbing repairs to a professional.

You may not know what’s wrong: Accurately diagnosing the plumbing problem is the first step in fixing it. For instance, you may think your toilet won’t flush because it’s clogged when in reality, an internal part has broken, and you need a whole new toilet. Plumbers draw on extensive training and years of experience to pinpoint exactly what’s wrong and fix it correctly the first time around.
Major repairs require the proper tools: Your toilet plunger and wrench set will only get you so far. Professional plumbers use sewer line cameras to diagnose problems, powerful motorized drain snakes to clear stubborn clogs, hydro-jetting equipment to clean the sewer line, and other specialized equipment to get the job done.
You may not know which plumbing parts to use: You need more than just the right tools—you also need the proper replacement pipes and parts. Without training, you could easily choose the wrong pipe material or fitting, potentially with disastrous results. It’s far better to trust the job to a professional from the get-go.
A haphazard job could make things worse: Improper plumbing repairs have a high failure rate. As a result, a small leak under your kitchen sink could turn into a fountain if you aren’t careful. The resulting water damage could negate any savings you hoped to enjoy by not hiring a plumber.
You could injure yourself: Plumbing work may not seem hazardous, but you could get hurt attempting to use tools you aren’t familiar with, especially while crouching in a confined space. You might even unknowingly expose yourself to mold or asbestos, which plumbers are trained to avoid.
DIY repairs could void the warranty: If your toilet, water heater, dishwasher, or other plumbing appliance or fixture is still under warranty, attempting to fix it yourself could void your coverage. This means if you damage any components or run into trouble in the future, you’ll be stuck paying the full repair or replacement cost.

Now that you understand why you shouldn’t perform DIY plumbing repairs, you may be on the lookout for an emergency plumber near you. Turn to All Star Service and Repair for help! We have over 60 years of combined experience keeping our customers’ pipes and drains flowing smoothly. We’re confident we can pinpoint the problem and recommend a cost-effective solution. Our services include clogged drain repair, trenchless sewer cleaning, sewer line repair, whole-home repiping, and much more. Call us today at (801) 792-2428 to schedule plumbing services in Salt Lake County or Utah County.