One call to a plumber, and oftentimes you never want to do it again. That’s not a knock on the entire industry, but it seems as if professional plumbers are case in point of Murphy’s Law. Here’s the deal, there are great plumbers, you just need to know how to find them. We’ll cover that topic briefly, but first let’s discuss some do-it-yourself plumbing.

Plumbing Options: What to do Yourself, and When to Call a Plumber

When water isn’t doing what it’s supposed to do in a residential domicile, we get upset. Not enough pressure, not draining properly, coming out of the faucet sideways: All these issues are things that can be lived with, but they’re certainly not preferable. Many of these issues are easy to resolve without needing a plumber. In fact, most technically-minded people could go as far as changing a toilet out before requiring the services of a bona-fide professional plumber.

Simple Plumbing Tasks

Consider a few simple plumbing tasks that you can do on your own, or with help from a friend.

Drain Clog Issues

When you have a clogged drain, you probably don’t need the services of a plumber. Sure, if it’s something you can afford, then maybe you don’t want to mess with it, but the fix is as simple as purchasing the right drain cleaner. If the problem persists in the shower, and the tub fills while you’re taking a shower, chances are, a hair-clog is the culprit.

With a screwdriver you can take of the drain head, or the grate, and with a rubber glove, start digging for treasure. I often use a wire coat hanger to help get the process started, and you’d be shocked as to how much funk you may pull out. Regardless, it’ll save you more than a few bucks to do it yourself. Reverse the process, and see if that doesn’t fix the problem.

If the problem happens to be at a bathroom sink, it could be a number of contributing factors. Hair, toothpaste, gunk, make-up, shaving cream: You name it. Both Liquid Plumber and Drano offer great, heavy-duty clog removers that will get the job done. Just be sure to follow the directions on the back of the bottle. The foaming pipe snake is my personal favorite.

Changing Pipes

A simple pipe exchange is nothing you need to call a plumber for. Especially now that most bathroom and kitchen elbow pipes are of the quick fit, plastic, PVC variety. Simply shut off your water supply to the particular faucet (two knobs, one hot, one cold, twist them to the right), remove the problem pipe, take it to a hardware store, and ask them to find you a replacement or pick one out for yourself. Install the new pipe. Turn the water back on. Done.

Cleaning Faucet Heads

You can make a faucet run smoothly again by simply unscrewing the aerator (where the water comes out) and soaking it in a product called CLR, or what I prefer, an organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Let them soak for awhile, clean them off with dish washing soap, and they’ll flow freely.

When to Call a Plumber

When you don’t know what is wrong with something, call a plumber. If you want to crack into your wall or floor to do a major overhaul of some drain issues, call a plumber. It’s not that you wouldn’t be able to pull the job off, and be able to brag about it later—it’s about efficiency, utilizing and maximizing your time. When the plunger isn’t working, and you’re tempted to pour drain cleaner down the toilet, call a plumber. Generally, when something is a hidden issue, behind a wall or underground—call a plumber.

Finding a Great Plumber

In a few words, the best way to find a great plumber is through a referral. Check out the online review and referral sites such as Yelp, eCompliments and Merchant Circle to see if there are some highly rated plumbers. If not, call around to friends who have recently renovated or remodeled their homes, and see if they can offer a reliable suggestion.