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Plumbing on the Edge: The Dangerous World of DIY Repairs and Reasons to Avoid It

Why Homeowners Should Never Do Their Plumbing Repair

There is a whole world of entertainment devoted to DIY or do-it-yourself projects. The subject has its cable channel, and there are also hundreds of videos online via websites like YouTube and TikTok that show everything from cleaning a cast-iron skillet to changing knobs on a sink.

While some of these videos are helpful and useful, it is good to remember that plumbing professionals undergo extensive training to do what they do, so plumbing repairs should be left to the professionals.

DIY Plumbing Lacks Experience

Nobody would want a major surgery done by someone who had not been to medical school. That person is more likely to make a person’s health worse than better. It is a similar situation with plumbing repair.

Before calling themselves plumbers, they must undergo multiple years of training and pass exams for licenses and certifications. They also have specialized tools that can help them repair whatever plumbing problem they come across and analyze and diagnose the problem.

Several symptoms look very similar but may stem from different problems.

Slow Moving Drains: This can be a symptom of a simple clog or a much larger problem like a collapsed drain pipe or encroaching tree roots. It may involve clearing the line or digging the yard to replace the pipe.

Low Water Pressure: A sudden change in water pressure that seems sourceless can be due to a few things. There may be a leak in a supply pipe, problems with various valves, or hard water buildup in the lines or the fixtures.

Rust Colored Water: This symptom can indicate a wide range of problems, from aging pipes to needing a new water heater.

If a homeowner misdiagnoses their problem, it could lead to frustration and wasted time and money. This leads right into the following argument.

DIY Plumbing Does Not Save Time

While working with a plumbing company to find an appointment that fits a particular schedule may seem daunting, there is no way for the average homeowner to save time by doing it themselves. Because plumbing technicians are familiar with the issues, they can much more easily fix the problem than someone trying to learn how to do it for the first time.

If the problem is misinterpreted and the homeowner gets the wrong part, they have used up time that could have been better spent elsewhere. However, the professional would have the correct position on their fully stocked truck and can install it with ease. Additionally, professional service is important because if parts are not installed correctly, it may prove dangerous for the household and cause structural damage and personal injury.

DIY Plumbing Does Not Save Money

Saving money is one of the primary reasons people try fixing their own plumbing. In theory, it is sound reasoning, but homeowners often fail to consider certain factors. Here are a few of the things that save clients money when they work with a professional plumber:

Insurance to cover the cost of mistakes or damage
Proper tools
Proper training
Knowledge

Homeowners will have peace of mind even if something doesn’t go as planned, and they will not have to pay for any damage that may be done as a result of any mistakes.

About Heidler, Inc.

Heidler, Inc. is a family-owned and operated company that has served Annapolis, MD, and the surrounding areas since 1947. They pride themselves on putting their customers first and offer emergency assistance and flat-rate pricing on all their plumbing services. Call them today for plumbing services in Annapolis, MD.

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How to Avoid Getting Pinched By Rising Water Bills This St. Patrick’s Day

Go Green This St. Patrick’s Day To Save Green

Forgetting to wear green this St. Patrick’s Day is less important than failing to save green with rising water bills! In this blog post, plumbing experts share their favorite tips for cutting back water bill spending. Water conservation is good for the wallet and good for the environment. By cutting back on water use at home, homeowners can protect their wallets from getting pinched by the price of water bills and reduce their home’s environmental impact.

Turn Off the Tap While Brushing Teeth

This tip applies for all tasks where the tap could be shut off, such as washing hands, washing dishes, or brushing teeth. Being mindful of how much water is being used during daily grooming and cleaning routines can go a long way in cutting back on how much water the household uses. Many people do not think that when water goes down the drain unused, it is essentially the same as money going down the drain.

Homeowners can upgrade their bathroom plumbing to keep water costs low by installing a touchless faucet in the bathroom sink. Touchless faucets use motion-detecting technology to turn the water off automatically when not in use. This helps to prevent the faucet from being accidentally left running.

Take Shorter Showers

Most people think that taking a shower vs. a bath will automatically save them more water, but long showers are more wasteful than baths. To keep water expenditure low, homeowners should take five to ten-minute showers. While shampooing hair or shaving, the showerhead should be shut off for maximum water efficiency. Water use can also be limited when taking baths by using less water.

Another option for making the shower plumbing more efficient is upgrading the showerhead. New showerheads are made eco-friendly and use less water. Low flow showerheads are designed to create more water pressure while using less water. Installing a new showerhead can reduce water use without sacrificing water pressure.

Be Careful Flushing

A clogged toilet can cause problems for the overall bathroom plumbing and increase water waste. The toilet connects to the main water line, so it can affect the entire plumbing system when a clog occurs. Another reason why clogged toilets may increase water usage is that the homeowner may need to flush multiple times to remove the clog.

The general rule homeowners should follow is never use the toilet as a trashcan. The only thing that should be flushed down toilets is the appropriate toilet paper or wipes. Any other debris should always be disposed of in the bathroom wastebasket.

About Heidler, Inc.

Heidler, Inc. has been serving the Annapolis area with outstanding plumbing and heating services since 1947. This trusted local company is family-owned and operated and offers flat-rate pricing, so homeowners don’t have to deal with surprise charges. Call them today to schedule an appointment with an experienced plumber in Annapolis, MD.

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How to Avoid Broken Pipes in the Spring

Preventing Burst Pipes in the Rainy Season

Many people love spring. It’s the time of year when everything starts to come alive again. It’s the time of year the weather starts to warm up again, but it’s also the time of year for an increase in rainstorms. Heavy rain isn’t good for plumbing systems. It can cause all kinds of problems, especially to plumbing systems that don’t receive regular maintenance.

Plumbers get called all the time in the spring, but there are ways you can prevent expensive damages to your plumbing system and home. Continue reading to learn more about ways to prevent pipes from bursting due to heavy rainfall.

The Dangers of High Water Pressure

Rain can cause all sorts of problems in your home, but one thing no one ever wants is for their house to flood. Your house is supposed to keep the rain out, so when it doesn’t do its job, your life gets frustrating.

You may think you just have a house that is prone to flooding when in reality, it’s your plumbing system causing all the grief and it can easily be prevented. Excess rainwater causes water pressure to build up within the plumbing systems.

This water pressure is too much for plumbing and can lead to the pipes bursting or cracking. Once this happens, it’s only a matter of time before the water is entering your home. A few ways to avoid this from happening are:

Making sure your gutters are cleaned out before the rainy season hits.
Getting your plumbing maintenance done yearly before the spring.
Having a sump pump installed in your home.

How to Avoid Burst Pipes

As mentioned above, the best way to avoid burst pipes is to have a yearly camera inspection done for preventative maintenance. These inspections give you an inside look of the state of your piping system so you can stay on top of the problem before it occurs. There’s nothing better for your plumbing system than taking care of it.

While your plumbing is getting inspected, it’s also a good idea to have the outdoor drainage maintenance done. This will ensure that any rainfall the spring brings will not pool up around your home’s foundation. This will alleviate any added stress from water weight.

Professional Burst Pipe Services

A professional will arrive on the scene to first assess and locate the problem. Once the problem has been properly assessed, the professional plumber can decide the best course of action for repairs.

They will most likely choose one of these options:

Cured-In Place
Pulled-In Place
Pipe Bursting Method
Repiping

Cured-in place and pulled-in place are both trenchless methods for repairing pipes, but they can only be done if the damages aren’t extensive. Sometimes, if the plumbing hasn’t been taken care of for many years or your plumbing system is just old, the problem may require repiping. This can get expensive, but sometimes it’s the only option. That is why maintenance is so important.

Heidler, Inc. Gets Plumbing Work Done Right

The experts at Heidler, Inc. have been leaders when it comes to plumbing solutions in Annapolis since 1947. They are a trusted part of the community because they care. Head over to their website for coupons on your next appointment.