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There are some plumbing repairs that people feel comfortable handling on their own such as cleaning their showerheads or tightening a trap, although a plumber can probably help you if you aren’t sure how to do it. However, there are other plumbing issues that almost always require a phone call to a St. Petersburg, FL plumbing service. Not sure if your current problem is on that list? You are not alone, in today’s DIY world a lot of people struggle to figure out if they should call a plumber or attempt to handle the situation on their own.
We understand the allure of YouTube instructional videos can be very strong, especially if you think that you can save some money. However, as a local plumbing service, we often get called to clean up the mess when a DIY plumbing job goes terribly wrong, and we have to say that most people end up spending a lot more money due to the mess they create. Just purchasing the plumbing tools alone can make it cheaper to call a plumber versus trying to handle the repair on your own. When you consider the added expense of parts and hours of frustration, it may not seem as worth it anymore.
So how do you know which things you can try your hand at, and which things you absolutely should not? We have compiled this list of things that you should never attempt to handle on your own. Most of these circumstances actually qualify for emergency plumbing service in St. Petersburg, FL so if your problem appears on this list you need to call your local plumber. All of these situations require the professional know-how of a licensed plumbing service, and you will be glad in the end that you made that phone call.
You Have A Water Line Burst
Water line leaks are the stuff that nightmares are made out of. While frequently showcased in movies and films as a hysterical, perfectly timed event, there is never a good time for a water line burst. When a water line bursts rapid water will fill your home and create a large flooding issue. Water damage is almost always imminent, and if you don’t act quickly enough more than one room and one floor of your home can be affected. The good news is that water supply lines don’t burst too often, but if they do you need to have a plumbing service ready on your speed dial to call.
The very first thing you need to do is find the emergency water cut-off valve. Any room with water should have an intermediary water supply cut-off valve close to the main water line. It should look something like a knob or a handle that you can turn. This will turn off the water in the room instead of throughout your entire home. However, if y9ou don’t spy the valve quickly, don’t waste time looking for it. Instead, run down to your main water shut-off valve and flip it off. The goal should be to stop the flooding as quickly as possible. Once you get the water shut off, call a plumber and get them into your house to address the situation.
You Have No Running Water
Most of the time when water stops running it only affects one area in your home. For instance, you might notice that the water is not flowing to a sink or to the toilet. This usually indicates that there is a clog in your pipe that is not allowing water through. While this is an annoyance, it may or may be a direct emergency. However, if you discover that water is not flowing anywhere in your home you have a major problem that you need the help of a plumbing service to solve.
First of all, you need to open up several hot and cold faucets from all over your home to make sure that none of the taps work. If you discover that only the hot water is not working then it is possible that the problem is the result of an ineffective water heater. However, if you find that water is not coming out of any of your taps you have a major issue that needs to be quickly diagnosed.
There are multiple reasons why this may be happening. The first is that your water main may be broken or severed resulting in water leaking into your front yard instead of entering your home. The other problem may be an issue or a leak near your water meter. While you can look around for signs that either of these is the issue, you will need to have a professional fix the problem.
Sewer Leaks
Sewer leaks are some of the worst leaks to contend with because not only do you have to deal with flood damage in your home, but you have to deal with feces and human wastes. Signs that you have a sewer issue include pooling, smelly water in your yard, visible sewage backup near your floor drain, or sinks filling up with toilet water when you flush. It should be fairly obvious that this is a plumbing emergency that requires a prompt call to plumbing service. The problem with sewer leaks and clogs is that you can’t use any water in the house until it is repaired since any water use will make the backup even worse.
You Smell Gas
Gas leaks are not something that should ever be taken lightly, and after you have called your gas company or local fire department to investigate and turn off your gas, you will need to call a plumbing service to fix the source of the leak. You should never attempt to handle a gas leak on your own because of the inherent danger and the potential health threat to your family.
If you are dealing with any of the above situations, Drain Flo Plumbing of St. Petersburg, FL should be your first call. As a local plumbing service, we are happy to help our customers with the bigger jobs to keep them safe and happy.
