Knowing when to hire a plumber can save money in the long run. Hire a plumber when the problem is extensive and requires expertise to pin down, and when there’s a higher risk of doing more damage than good.
When the following situations arise, it’s best to call a licensed professional plumber. So get to know a good plumber in your area, and keep his or her name and number handy for emergencies.
Low water pressure throughout the house: This problem can be caused by a number of factors, such as obstructions (rust or debris) in the water lines; low water pressure from the city supply or a well; or even poor supply-line design. A good plumber will be able to analyze the problem and determine the cause.
No hot water: Unless the hot water tank is leaking, it might be hard to determine the cause. Electric heaters problems include: heating elements, circuit breakers or blown fuses, faulty thermostats, or a bad overload switch. Gas heater problems include: thermocouple burners and igniters.
Replacing a water heater: Think twice before attempting to replace a heater by yourself. Remember, your plumber can carry the new one to the basement, hook it up, make sure that it works properly, and dispose of the old one.
Sewer line stoppage: If you can't get the sewer line to stop backing up, you probably have a bad plug in the line that runs out to the main sewer. (Tree roots are often the cause.) You can rent a big sewer rodding machine, but they can damage the drain or sewer lines. Call a plumber or drain-cleaning service. If they get in trouble, they’ll make the repairs.
Frozen pipes: If a pipe freezes, check carefully to see if the pipe has already burst or cracked. If it’s bad news, go ahead and call a plumber. You can try to thaw a pipe with a hair dryer, but even if the pipe isn’t cracked, you still may want to call a plumber: Some plumbers simply replace a section of frozen pipe rather than thaw it.
Extensive water line damage: Repairing water line damage, which is usually caused by freezing, can take up a lot of your valuable time. It’s better to pay a plumber so that you can earn money at your regular job.
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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/when-to-hire-a-plumber.html
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