Plumbing Repairs: Know When To Call the Plumber

March 1, 2011 - PRLog -- Plumbing repair problems are among the most common complaints of homeowners, and we here at AbleAir-1 in Northern Virginia field many calls about blocked drains and broken sump pumps. But when should you call the plumber, and when should you save money by trying to do the plumbing repair yourself? Read on for a handy guide put together by our master plumber.

Clogged Drains: Easy Fix, or Professional Plumber?

A clogged drain is a plumbing repair that you may be able to do yourself, depending on the severity. If your kitchen or bathroom sink is clogged, you may be able to fix the clog without calling a plumber (showers and toilets are trickier, and you should probably call a plumber if plunging doesn’t work). If you’ve tried plunging your sink and using an environmentally safe drain cleaner and it’s still clogged, you should probably give us a call at AbleAir-1. You don’t want to accidentally do damage to your main waste pipe or end up with a stripped or leaky trap.

Mainlines (Water and Sewer): Plumber Needed

A plumbing repair on any of your mainlines (water and sewer) is a job that is best left to the professionals. Even before a water line repair begins, special equipment is required in order to turn off the water at the street level. Clogged sewer lines are also usually a job for a professional plumber. Tree roots may have grown through the pipe, or the pipe could have a significant break or leak.

Sump Pumps: Probably a Plumber’s Job

Sump pumps are usually installed in basements to eliminate the threat of water leaking or flooding into the basement. Sometimes laundry machines also drain into the sump pump. Unless you have been trained in this kind of home improvement, you will probably need a professional plumber to install a sump pump or make a sump pump plumbing repair. Sump pumps also require a hole to be drilled into your basement floor and a drainage line to be put in. All of these are major projects that are usually too much for the average homeowner to handle.

Gas Lines: Always Call a Plumber

Work on gas lines is a major job and can be very dangerous without proper training. In fact, many towns require a licensed plumbing company to work on gas lines. If your gas line needs a plumbing repair, call a professional plumber immediately.  A licensed plumber will fix the problem and will pressure-test the line to ensure that there are no invisible leaks.

Prevention: the Cheapest Plumber.

Avoid plumbing repairs altogether by taking good care of your plumbing. Most plumbing emergencies are caused by backups. Avoid having items such as grease or hair, which are responsible for most clogs, go into your drains. Putting vinegar, followed by boiling hot water down the drain, can help cut through grease clogs. Use a mesh catch in all of your drains to catch hair and avoid it going down the drains. Use an environmentally safe drain cleaning product once a month to keep the drains clean.

For plumbing services in Arlington, Fairfax, Leesburg, Reston, Vienna and the surrounding Northern Virginia areas, contact AbleAir-1 at (703) 996-8680.

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AbleAir-1 is a fully licensed Heating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Plumbing company serving the private and commercial sectors of Northern Virginia for over 15 years. Our services range from basic installs & service to zoned forced air and hot water.