Down the drain: don’t let plumbing expenses sink your budget

It’s a common headache for homeowners. If you own a home, at some point you’ll have to deal with leaky faucets, clogged drains, water heaters and pipes. Do you know what to do, and when to call for help?

So many homeowners start with a DIY — or, Do-It-Yourself — attitude. That’s a great place to start, but can end up costing you in the long run if you accidentally break something while trying to fix it, underestimate the size of the problem, or just put off getting the work done.

Here are a few common plumbing problems, with easy solutions and a quick guide to help you decide when to call a plumber.

Sinks and Drains: Is your garbage disposal backing up, or the drain in your tub emptying slowly? If the drain is a sink, you can check under the counter for leaks or to look at the disposal system. Just be sure to turn off the water at the source, while you’re looking around. For tub drains, you can try using a plunger or a pipe snake to check for clogs. These are often things you can check into on your own. But if you don’t know how to turn off the inside water to the sink, or if you try a few simple home remedies and the problem isn’t solved, then the problem might extend to the pipe that drains the water from the house — and that’s when you need a plumber.

Toilets: Again, you can try a plunger for clogs. You can also generally fix minor issues, like a toilet that runs, by opening up the back and checking for a valve leak, or a broken toilet float arm. These are pretty common problems that can often be solved with just a little effort. But if you have more than a minor leak, poor water pressure, or recurring clogs, then call in a plumber. A backed up line can be an expensive, messy problem.

Water Heaters and Pipes: This one is always calls for a call to a plumber. You don’t want to take chances with the structural integrity of your home! Other times it pays to call a plumber first: water pressure issues, septic tank leaks or sewer line breaks, and installation of new sinks, tubs, toilets, or pipes.

Whatever you decide, definitely don’t go it alone. If you could use a referral for a qualified, experienced home plumber, be sure to reach out to us here at Destiny Real Estate. That’s (one reason) why we’re here!