Professional Plumbing Service vs DIY repair - Which Do You Need?

 Plumbing problems are disasters everyone experience at least once every month. While some of them can be corrected with a little vinegar and baking powder, others require the level of expertise only a professional plumber can give. 

To differentiate which from which, we accumulated a list of the most common problems you are likely to face as well as the best solutions to them. DIY adjustments or professional plumbing?



Clogged toilets

A clog blocks the free flow of sewage from your toilet into the sewers. The blockage is normally caused by a mixture of paper and waste. 

This can be fixed with a plunger or a sewer snake or drain auger in severe cases. In cases where both solutions fail, calling the plumber should be your next option. DO NOT attempt to go further if the solutions stated above don’t work. We’ve got you covered.

Clogged showers or baths

Clogged showers and baths eventually get blocked if not taken care of in time. Using vinegar and some baking powder can dissolve the clogs returning the drains to their normal condition. 

Another way is to prevent this problem by getting a drain guard to catch the clogs entering the drain. This way, it’s much easier to get rid of the clogs.

Follow these steps below to unclog your shower drain:

  • Apply petroleum jelly to the edge of the suction pad. This helps improve the seal.

  • Make sure the end of the plunger is immersed in water to make it easier to plunge. 

  • Plunge vigorously until there is a steady flow of water through the drains.

Sluggish sink drains

Congealed fat, food remnants and peels are the agents behind a slow draining sink. The only way to get this fixed is to unclog the sink drain using the good old plunger, baking soda and vinegar (or a chemical clog remover). 

If you don’t get this fixed in time, the accumulation continues until the whole drain is blocked. 

Here is how you unclog your sink drain using chemicals (NOTE: the chemical clog remover is more effective compared to the baking soda and vinegar)

  • Follow all directions on the packaging using an appreciable amount (Do not use too much chemical).

  • Put on PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Goggles and a pair of gloves should work just fine.

  • Mix the chemicals in the appropriate ratio and pour the mixture down the drain and it should work its magic from there.

WARNING: DO NOT mix the chemicals as a fatal reaction could happen. If you are not sure of using the chemicals, you MUST seek professional help. 

Faulty water heater

There are multiple causes of water heater failure. Unfortunately, most water heater related problems are discovered when taking a shower. All of a sudden, the water gets cold during a warm bath.

Most common causes of a faulty water heater could be traced sediments, the thermostat or even the pilot light going out.

Issues like the pilot light going out just mean you need to relight it.

However, you might want a professional's help for inspection, and repairs where possible. Thankfully, we've got just the team of professionals you need for that.

Sewer system backup problem

This is the worst nightmare of every homeowner reading this post. 

For those who haven't experienced this problem before, once you notice failure in the entire plumbing system of your house following the odour of human waste around the house, then it's a sewer backup problem.

To combat this, you need to employ a senior plumber to inspect the blockage and proffer affordable solutions to the problem.

Contact us to Plumber Glenmore Park get access to our team of pros on site ASAP.

Low water pressure 

Trickling water in major plumbing outlets in the house is a clear sign of low water pressure. Leaking pipes, mineral and sediment buildup in aerators are usually the causes of low pressure.

Soaking the aerator in vinegar for proper cleaning should fix an aerator related problem. If the outlet is the problem, clean the head with vinegar or replace.

If the problem is caused by leaky pipes, then a professional should be called to fish out the leaky pipe and get it replaced.

Leaky pipes

If you start seeing visual proof of your walls getting soaked in water, you might just have a pipe oozing litres of water into the walls of your building. 

Duct tape should provide a temporary fix to leaky pipes. For a more durable fix, replace the leaky pipe with a pipe of the same size and fitting or spend a token and get even better help from the pros.

Dripping faucets

A dripping faucet is the commonest plumbing fault observed. This often leads to excessive loss of water simply because it’s hard to spot. In some cases, they might not be discovered until hundreds of gallons of water have been lost. 

This problem is caused by an internal washer that has been torn, stiff, or dislodged over time. While DIY repairs are very much possible, it’s better to leave most of the work to the pros since it strictly requires the correct tools. 

Here are some DIY repair tips for those who want to try things out themselves:

  • Ensure you turn off the water main before making any repairs.

  • Dress appropriately. Plumbing isn’t an easy job.

  • Be ready to get wet.

  • Do make sure you have the right tools for the job and ensure your measurements are correct before you start repairs.

  • Last and most important tip is to always keep the number of a professional plumber handy in case things go south.

Visit our contact section to find Plumbers in Glenmore Park, Penrith, Jorden Springs, Silverdale, Orchard Hills and more or call us anytime at 0412 011 577.




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