When and when not to take plumbing into your own hands
Plumbers, whether you may realize it or not, are the superheros responsible for keeping your home’s water systems moving smoothly and cleanly. We at Mojica Plumbing and Drain Cleaning have all of the tools and expertise to ensure that your home’s plumbing is functioning correctly. That means no leaks, clogs, or strange noises coming from your drains. Smoothly running pipes, drains, and appliances equals a smooth running home! In a few cases, it may be totally acceptable to go ahead and try to fix the plumbing problem on your own, but in others, this is certainly not the case. So, today, we’re going to go ahead and have a chat about when it is, and when it isn’t, a safe idea to make fixes on your own! Check them out:
A Clogged Toilet
Maybe don’t call the plumber every time someone in your family overdid it on the spicy food. As much as we’d love to help, unclogging a toilet in most instances is a job left to the instigator. Don’t punish us for your questionable eating habits. Our tip? Drive to your local drug or hardware store and buy yourself a plunger to put next to the toilet for dire situations.
In the case where the toilet is severely clogged, likely by some sort of foreign, non-degradable object- kids these days, eh?- then certainly give your local plumber a call. Using a plunger on large objects will only lead to more destruction!
Leaky Pipes
Are you noticing a leaky pipe? First check it out to determine how much water is spilling and where the spillage is coming from. Sometimes, there might just be a screw or two loose. Use a wrench to tighten them up if this is the case. However, don’t try to use duct tape as that’s a very temporary and unreliable method.
Are the leaks stemming from a crack or elsewhere? Then you may need to replace your pipes. The best option by far is to contact a licensed plumber to install pipes correctly and ensure that nothing else is out of order. Usually, after a deep freeze (which isn’t common down here in hot and sunny Austin) the pipe’s material could crack after the sudden changes in temperature.
A Clogged Drain
Maybe you’re a hairy person…we don’t judge! But we will judge you if you try to take drain cleaning into your own hands! In many cases, you might be able to fish out the glob of hair and debris from your drain with some tools and creativity. However, when this fails and the water still turns your shower or sink into a swimming pool, then it’s time to call the professionals. We’ve said it time and time again, but resorting to liquid drain cleaners is not in your best interest. Not only are they hazardous to your pipes and plumbing, but they could also send you to the hospital. Fun? We think not.
You Ran Out of Hot Water
Did you pay your water bill? How about your heating and electricity bills? Yes? Alright, well, in that case, then perhaps your water heater isn’t doing it’s job. While repairing a water heater isn’t difficult for the pros, it’s sure to be a disaster for an amateur. Do yourself a favor and contact Mojica Plumbing for water heater issues and never shower in the cold again.
Your In-laws are Coming to Stay
While we take pride in helping our clients in every way possible… please keep us out of this one.
