6 Plumbing Repairs You Should Never DIY | Tips from Your Reliable Plumber in The Woodlands, TX

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DIYing can be rewarding and can save you money in some instances, but there are a few plumbing jobs that require a plumber's special skills, training and expertise. And while DIY may seem simple enough (cleaning the showerhead to improve water pressure or removing a toy from the toilet drain with a shop-vac), the truth is that some home plumbing jobs require a trained eye and special equipment that most average homeowners just don't have. You wouldn't call out a roofer to pull your tooth, right? The same logic applies to some of the most frequent service calls that plumbers see in The Woodlands, TX, area. Let's run down a few scenarios where it's always best to err on the side of calling out the big guns.

Rapid Leak from Water Supply Line

If you ever experience a rapid leak from a supply line in your plumbing system, you may feel like you're in the midst of a slapstick comedy. But the damage that results is anything but funny. A water line bursting in your home can lead to major flooding and thousands of dollars in damages. And while these breaks aren't common, you need to have your plumber's number ready so that you can react quickly. But first, find the shut-off valve nearest to the leak and turn it off. If that's not possible find the main water supply valve and shut the water off to the whole house. Then get on the horn to your plumber; locating and repairing a pipe with a catastrophic leak is beyond the scope of most folks. Don't risk it.

No Water in the Home, Anywhere

Assuming the utility company has not shut your water off for non-payment, then a scenario such as this can be ominous and definitely requires a call for service from your local plumber. In most cases where water stops flowing in a home, the problem is localized to just one specific spot, such as a kitchen sink or a bathtub. It is a rare event that you have no water in the home at all.

Do a quick check of all taps within the home to be sure that none of them permit water flow when turned. Check both hot and cold taps; this may help indicate a problem with the water heater, as cold water will still be delivered if the tank is not heating hot water.

A likely but not-too-common problem may be that a buried pipe leading from your meter has been damaged or has burst, and water is no longer being diverted into your home. The leak may also be around your home's water meter. A professional will need to be brought in to determine where the leak is located and make necessary repairs.

Sewer Line Leaks and Odors

If you're noticing smelly water or mushy, murky soil gathering in pools in the yard, you may have a blocked or broke sewage line. Other signs include a bathtub or toilet filling up with wastewater when you run the tap or flush. Your main sewer line is paramount to the functioning of your plumbing system. It is the line that carries wastewater from sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, washers, and dishwasher. Until it's repaired, life can pretty much come to a standstill. Again, this is a job for a professional, not a DIYer, even the smartest DIYer. A plumber comes equipped with sewage inspection equipment that can help him to find the problem and fix it quickly so that you and your family can get on with your lives.

Rapid Drainage Line Leaking

While the trap located just below your bathroom or kitchen sink can likely be installed by most homeowners when there's a leak, the same cannot be said of the drainage lines that lie just beyond that trap. These lines are not easily accessible, so if you find that a drainage line has an active leak but is out of reach beyond a wall or beneath your floor, the time to call out a plumber is at hand. Doing so right away can prevent additional costly damage to your floor, sub-floor, paint and drywall and also help you move on with your day without second-guessing if you've done the repair correctly.

Frozen Pipes

Texas weather can get very cold, and frozen pipes in The Woodlands, TX, is not uncommon. If you didn't take all the necessary precautions plumbers suggest, such as insulating your pipes with foam, so on, prior to freezing weather, you may find yourself with frozen pipes. Look for frost on exposed piping and taps that have nothing coming from them. If the ice inside expands to the point where the pipe cracks, you'll have a major league when the pipes thaw. Fixing it yourself is likely not an option, since reconnecting sections of pipe that are cracked can be a big undertaking for a DIY homeowner. Call your professional plumbing service instead.

Natural Gas Leak from Water Heater

Gas leaks are nothing to play with. If you smell a natural gas leak in the home and cannot locate where it's coming from, open the home's windows and doors and then call a plumber from outside. You should also call your gas company, especially if the odor is near your home's gas meter. Oftentimes the source of a leak is the water heater. Modern gas water heaters have a flame sensor that automatically shuts off the gas if the pilot light is not engaged, so if you smell gas near the area where your water heater is installed, something is definitely amiss. Leads could be coming from flexible or rigid pipes running to the heater, or you may have a faulty flame sensor. Either way, don't delay in having it checked out by a pro.

Count on bluefrog Plumbing + Drain to handle all of your emergency plumbing needs in The Woodlands, TX. Our techs are ready to hop to the challenge.