Can You REALLY Do That Plumbing Repair Yourself?

Bob Vila makes it look easy. When he's faced with a dripping faucet, an overflowing toilet, or pipes that give the Vegas fountains a run for their money, it just takes a few minutes (and some tools snagged from his completely stocked workshop) to address the issue and get everything back in order. But you're not Bob Vila, are you? This article is written for the rest of us, who have some do-it-yourselfer skills but not a whole lot of plumbing experience. Taking on a home plumbing repair can save some serious cash - unless the job's just too big. Then an effort to save money can actually cost you money!

Begin by taking a realistic inventory of your home repair skills. How adept are you at fixing things? There are those of us who can look at instructions online or in a home repair manual, look at the pieces we actually have, and make it all work. Then there are those of us who can't do that. If you're in the first group, with some manual dexterity and mechanical ability, keep reading. If you're in the second group, you may want to consider developing those skills before tackling home plumbing repair. Consider if you have the necessary tools and equipment to do the job, and the time to make it happen.

The next point to consider is the scope and magnitude of the plumbing repair job. It's one thing to fix a dripping faucet, and another thing entirely to remove a toilet and retrieve the stuffed panda bear your toddler sent 'exploring'. If you're new to home plumbing repair, start small. Build your skills and expertise on minor repairs before moving onto the major jobs. Dripping or leaky faucets are the most common plumbing problem, followed by leaking pipes, clogged toilets, and dirty drains.

A dripping faucet is a surprisingly expensive problem...at least in terms of your water bill! The steady loss of water needs to stop. Can you do the job yourself? If the water's dripping from the end of the faucet, the repair can be a simple matter of replacing washers. This is well within the ability of most homeowners. Repairing leaks that occur at the base of the faucet may mean removing the faucet, replacing the o-rings and fittings, and putting the faucet back in place. This is a little more involved, but can generally be done by the skilled, well-equipped homeowner.

Leaking pipes are another story. Often, pipes leak where you can't see them. It's only after the leaking water has caused some kind of secondary damage - stained wallboards, warped flooring, rotted support joists - that the problem is even noticed. Pipes are often in spaces, such as inside walls or under floors, that are difficult to access and work in. Tightening and sealing joints will repair leaks that occur where pipes come together. Replacement is required where splits, holes, and breaks are found in the body of the pipe. Generally, this is a plumbing repair best handled by the pros, who can ensure that the new pipe is installed properly and in compliance with local building codes. Additionally, it's easier for the pros to handle disposing the old, damaged pipes.

There are times when a homeowner can repair a clogged toilet on their own. Timely use of a plunger can remove minor obstructions in your sewer lines and keep things moving. However, once the clog forms at a point beyond the reach of your plunger, it's really time to call in your Waltham area plumber. Cleaning the lines at this point requires specialized equipment, and it can be a dirty job. Sewer lines can be clogged by household debris, but obstructions can also be formed by tree roots or collapsed pipes. Dealing with either one is clearly requires professional level assistance.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to the final issue on our list. Slow, stinky drains are a result of obstructions in the line. Kitchen sink drain traps are often clogged with food debris, grease, soap scum and more. In the bathroom, we see clogs composed of hair, shampoo, soap and other toiletries. Water can't move completely past these obstructions and remains trapped in the pipes. Horrible odors can result. Regular drain cleaning will stop this issue before it starts - but if you've got a clog that just won't quit, you'll want to call in the pros.