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Most of us have at one time or another tried to save a buck or two by forgoing the professionals and doing remodels and repairs ourselves. For some, it can even be an obsession. If you've been to any dinner party, you've heard more than one wife complaining about her husband's stubborn refusal to call in the experts.
If you are one who tends to tackle home improvement projects yourself, try to remember that calling in a plumber is not about surrendering on a project; but rather, it's about making sure it's done correctly and safely without risk to you, your family or your home. Doing-it-yourself is about choosing your battles. And doing complicated plumbing work yourself can quickly turn into a bloody war.
Although, they are hidden behind the walls and beneath the floor, your home's pipes are crucial in so many ways. They bring in the good (water) and whisk away the bad (sewage). So, servicing them is not something to take lightly. Popular Mechanics listed plumping number two on it's list of "5 Household Tasks You Definitely Should Not Try Alone at Home."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that plumbers are among the highest paid construction occupations. And there's a reason. Along with their education at technical schools or community colleges, many plumbers undergo four to five years of apprenticeships of paid on-the-job training and at least 144 hours of related classroom instruction per year. This makes them good at what they do and a lot less likely to make the same expensive mistakes as you.
The following is a list of four nono's when it comes to self-plumbing:
Do not install a garbage disposal yourself - It is very difficult for a non-expert to align the pipes correctly, and if the drainage plug is not set right, garbage can back up into your dishwasher.
Do not mix drain cleaners - Most everyone knows how to work a plunger and dump chemical drain cleaners down a clogged drain. Yet, sometimes these measures are insufficient for drain cleaning. In this case, you may need to call a plumber so they can use a power auger. One thing you should not do, however, is combine different drain cleaners. The harsh chemicals can often react violently with other compounds and do catastrophic damage to your pipes and septic system.
Don't rent your own drain-cleaning machine - Most of the time this is like dumping money down the drain. The machine is usually not long enough, or powerful enough and along with the bill for the plumber, you'll incur the extra cost of the rental.
Never attempt to modify a water-supply lines or hot-water heating system - These typically comprise of copper pipe and fittings that are soldered together with a propane torch. If you're not sure what you're doing, you could start a flood or fire.
Of course, there are certain plumbing jobs that any competent do-it-yourselfer can tackle, such as replacing shower and faucet heads, installing toilets, and hooking up washing machines and sinks.
But, if things get dicey and you're not sure where to turn, it might be best to spend relatively little to save a whole lot of money and heartache.
About the Author:
Ryan J Lawrence is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find a contractor or more construction articles at Yodle Consumer Guide. Do-it-Yourself Plumbing - a Risky Proposition
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Do-it-Yourself Plumbing - a Risky Proposition
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