Despite routine maintenance and yearly inspections, there is going to come a time in your life as a homeowner that leakage problems occur. It might be something as simple as a leaky tap or as thoroughly frustrating as a water heater that's sprung a leak. As a thrifty homeowner, it is wise to learn what leakage problems you can fix yourself and what problems are best left to a plumbing professional.
The first consideration is the kind of leak you have. If it's a gas line leak, the best things to do is immediately shut of the gas at the main and call an emergency plumber right away. Gas fitting is best left to trained, certified professionals. A mistake can have fatal consequences and you really don't want to take that chance in the name of saving some money.
If your leak involves your water lines, though, it may be something you can fix yourself. A leaky tap, for example, is generally fixable for little money and rarely takes more than an hour to fix, start to finish. If the leak is at a pipe joint, particularly under a sink or behind the toilet, fixing it may involve nothing more than replacing a gasket or tightening the joint with a wrench. Sweating pipes and toilets can be insulated by you and instructions for doing so are generally provided with the insulation or can easily be procured online.
Other water leaks, however, are best handled by a professional. If your hot water line has a burst pipe that needs replacing, it may be wiser to hire a professional who is trained in safely replacing it. A leaking water heater may need to be replaced and while you will need to purchase a new one, it is usually best to leave it's installation up to a plumber with experience both in gas fitting and hot water line installation.
When it comes to saving money, do-it-yourself repairs are an invaluable knowledge to have. At the same time, it's wise to know your limitations and hire a professional when the occasion calls for it. As mentioned above, there are times when the risks of making a mistake are far more costly in the long run than hiring a plumber. Pipes that are not properly cared for and installed correctly may leak, corrode or burst over time. A wise homeowner saves time and money by knowing the difference between these two kinds of home repairs.
The first consideration is the kind of leak you have. If it's a gas line leak, the best things to do is immediately shut of the gas at the main and call an emergency plumber right away. Gas fitting is best left to trained, certified professionals. A mistake can have fatal consequences and you really don't want to take that chance in the name of saving some money.
If your leak involves your water lines, though, it may be something you can fix yourself. A leaky tap, for example, is generally fixable for little money and rarely takes more than an hour to fix, start to finish. If the leak is at a pipe joint, particularly under a sink or behind the toilet, fixing it may involve nothing more than replacing a gasket or tightening the joint with a wrench. Sweating pipes and toilets can be insulated by you and instructions for doing so are generally provided with the insulation or can easily be procured online.
Other water leaks, however, are best handled by a professional. If your hot water line has a burst pipe that needs replacing, it may be wiser to hire a professional who is trained in safely replacing it. A leaking water heater may need to be replaced and while you will need to purchase a new one, it is usually best to leave it's installation up to a plumber with experience both in gas fitting and hot water line installation.
When it comes to saving money, do-it-yourself repairs are an invaluable knowledge to have. At the same time, it's wise to know your limitations and hire a professional when the occasion calls for it. As mentioned above, there are times when the risks of making a mistake are far more costly in the long run than hiring a plumber. Pipes that are not properly cared for and installed correctly may leak, corrode or burst over time. A wise homeowner saves time and money by knowing the difference between these two kinds of home repairs.