Knowing When to Call a Plumber

In these trying times, Do It Yourself is the name of the game for most folks when it comes to home repairs. Most of us know how to get rid of a simple clog or even fix a leaky faucet, but there are definitely times when bringing in a professional plumber is the smart thing to do. So how do you know when to call a plumber?

--When you find yourself fixing the same problem over and over again: Even those of us who are quite handy with a pair of pliers or screwdriver can create a temporary fix for a small plumbing problem. But if you are over-repairing the same issue again and again, you may be doing more harm than good: and that could end up costing a lot more in the long run. Take one good shot at the repair, and if the problem comes back then it's wise to call a plumber.

--If you simply don't trust your skills: If you've never done plumbing repairs before, water pipes that are essential to your home and important appliances like your dishwasher are probably not good "laboratories" in which to hone your plumbing skills. If you feel as if you lack the skills to complete the job successfully, suck it up and call a plumber. Don't wait till you have everything disassembled either: deep down in your gut you already know if you've got the wherewithal to make a repair or not. You may like the idea of being an "I Can Do It Myself" hero, but be realistic.

--If everything you've tried is simply not working: You've exhausted all your possibilities for unclogging that toilet and it still isn't draining water! Clogged toilets and water drains and pipes are generally pretty simple to fix, but sometimes there may be an unseen problem that makes do-it-yourself techniques ineffective. A plumber has all the tools and all the equipment that most of us don't have at home: he can use his rooting services and other methods quickly and efficiently and has literally "seen it all" when it comes to plumbing issues.

--If the situation is dangerous: Broken water pipes, broken water mains and other similar issues may be dangerous to your family's safety and/or the structure and contents of your home. If an event like this occurs, don't mess around: call in a professional plumber immediately to mitigate the problem and get the situation under control quickly.

Do It Yourself is all well and good, but there are definitely times when it's wiser and more cost-effective to bring in a Denver plumbing specialist or a contractor in the city where you live: that's what they're there for!

Carolyn Ethington