DIY Or A Professional Plumbing Service??

DIY Or A Professional Plumbing Service

While you might well be a good do-it-yourselfer, not every DIY project is as easy as it might first appear. While you might well be the master of clog removals or someone who can get a broken toilet working in a moment, some tasks really need to be left to the professional plumbing services Ottawa. If you are unsure about what you can handle yourself, find professional plumbing services Ottawa that can do the job for you. We personally recommend the professionals found at Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing Services.

What Is a Professional Plumbing Service?

Company License

If you were in need of plumbing services, you would do best to hire one of the leading licensed Ottawa plumber options in the industry. When you contact an Ottawa plumber, find out if the company licenses plumbers and if such information is on the company website. When you eventually make an appointment, make sure you definitely check out the plumber’s credentials when he arrives at your home or business. Always ask to view the plumber’s license.

Many plumbers are perfectly capable of doing the most basic and emergency of repairs for a customer, but there are also those plumbers who end up specializing in doing specific types of plumbing task. Whatever the case maybe, try to align your specific needs with a plumber that is qualified to do the work you need repairing. In addition, it may behoove you to seek out assistance with a plumbing  company that has the skilled and knowledgeable individuals on hand to help with the job.

DIY Plumbing vs Expert Plumbing Service

For most Ottawa homeowners, a little DIY plumbing is no problem. Installing a new showerhead, fixing a leaky faucet, repairing a clogged drain, these are relatively straightforward projects that we can complete ourselves in a couple of hours. Sometimes what need requires a bit more than just a novice plumbing skill level though.

This is where professional plumbers are able to make a difference; they have the knowledge and the tools necessary to solve problems that go beyond the traditional leaks. If you have a plumbing project, it is important to decide what the right course of action will be.

Most plumbers that you are going to find charge by the hour, this means that for most plumbing jobs, the majority of your costs are going to be the labor costs rather than the materials. There are a number of factors that go into determining the costs of a project, including construction costs and labor, the cost of materials, and the scope of the project.

Sometimes it might be cost effective to DIY your plumbing project, especially if you have a minor plumbing issue that you think you are able to take care of yourself. In fact, being a smart homeowner means that you are able to take care of some issues yourself. You might have to pay for the parts, but you are saving money on labor. When you do things yourself, you will also have greater confidence because you know how your system works.

On the other hand, doing something yourself that you lack the skills for can mean that you make mistakes. These mistakes can often cost more money than they end up saving. These mistakes mean that you are not only looking at repairs, but might even be looking at complete replacements. This means that you are ultimately looking at a far higher bill than you would normally expect to pay, all because you undertook a project that you could not handle.

The right choice

There are some plumbing jobs that you are able to do yourself. You are able to save money by doing a handful of these tasks yourself without really worrying about needing a professional. However, other plumbing jobs require professional assistance.

Do It Yourself Mistakes: The Most Common Issues

1. Making connections improperly.

The most common thing professional Ottawa plumbers see when an issue with plumbing arises is connections that have been made incorrectly. Bringing together copper and galvanized steel pipes requires the use of a coupling if one is going to avoid corroded equipment in the future. Special unions called dielectric unions keep metals apart to make sure they do not contact one another and prevent corrosion.

2. Issues that occur when attempting to unclog the drain.

It is not uncommon for a homeowner to attempt to fix a clogged drain. However, there are many ways of clearing a clog and it depends on the equipment and drain type as well as the type of blockage one is dealing with, and some equipment can actually damage bathroom fixtures. For instance, a snake can be used to get rid of a blockage inside a pipe but it can simultaneously destroy a toilet’s bowl. What’s more, some homeowners turn to a chemical clog remover before even talking to a pro: This is not recommended as the chemical can end up eating away at the existing pipes.

3. Accessing the wrong trap when trying to fix plumbing issues.

There have been times when homeowners have had a remodel done and have selected the S-trap as a sink drain and if this is not vented the way it should be, it can actually let some fairly dangerous gases into your house and atmosphere. A pro from Ottawa can help ensure you have a P-trap that is vented the way it should be from the sink drain line.  An expert has the know-how and tools to do the job correctly.

4. You accidently forget to shut off the running water or the main water line into the house.

Many homeowners get so caught up in what they need to do to make a repair that they forget to prep the work area before they begin.  Turning off the water main going into the home and the water shut off valves is crucial if you are going to prevent water damage from happening to your home.  Once water damage happens, it is pretty costly to repair.

5. You install the equipment incorrectly.

If you attempt to put in a new toilet by yourself, you could run into problems if you are not working with the appropriate tools. If you do not do the installation correctly, you can wind up with out of place water or a leak that will cost you hundreds to repair the water damage it produces. It is better to pay a bit extra out of pocket to have the initial install done correctly than it is to increase potential costs down the road due to self-imposed expenses from costly repairs.

Question the Insurance Status of the Plumbing Company

All companies hiring plumbers need to have worker’s compensation insurance coverage: This protects the worker while on the job and covers potential injuries if the plumber gets hurt on your property. It also protects you and prevents you from being held responsible or being sued for injuries occurring while at your property.

Any Guarantees?

Nobody’s perfect and unexpected things happen. The perfect installation of any fixture can go wrong with a defective product, or a plumber can make an error when doing a repair. If there is a guarantee or warranty in relation to services and products, then there is less risk to you and your initial investment. Before you hire a plumber, you need to know the individual is going to stand behind the work that has been completed.

You do not want to have to pay someone else to fix the first plumber’s installation or repair because it will be as if you are paying double. If there is a guarantee or warranty, make sure you understand what it covers and for how long. Understanding all of the terms of a warranty of guarantee is vital:  It will allow you to understand what is covered as well as what is not. Never assume something is covered and do not be afraid to investigate any guarantees or warrantees further.

DIY Plumbing Installation Common Mistakes

Plumbers undergo training and education for several months, if not years before they’re considered fit to handle plumbing repairs and installations. The plumbing system might look simple on the surface, but it can be quite complicated and difficult to install. However, many property owners like the challenge of a DIY installation and attempt to carry it out without the assistance of a licensed plumber. They also want to avoid the professional plumbing installation cost and save some money on the project.

Common DIY plumbing installation mistakes according to plumbing services Ottawa

1. Mistake#1: Improper Connections

You can’t connect pipes made from different materials without proper coupling between them. Direct contact between the two pipes can cause corrosion and damage the plumbing. An experienced plumbing installation contractor will always make sure the connections are correct and secured carefully.

2. Mistake#2: Leaving Water On

This might seem like a no-brainer but many DIY installers forget to do it. They don’t shut off the water supply to the area and don’t take time to drain lingering water before they start on the installation. This is the first thing professional plumbing service experts will do. Make sure you turn the water off before every project.

3. Mistake#3: Installing cabinets before choosing the sink

It’s important to determine the location of the sink and the connected pipes before you install any cabinets. There will be limited room to work with and the plumbing installation will be messy if the cabinets are already installed. You might have to hire plumbing installation services because installing a plumbing system after cabinets are installed can be tricky.

4. Mistake#4: Not taking measurements

Inexperienced installers and DIYers make this mistake quite often. You need to measure everything carefully and double check the numbers to ensure you don’t make any mistakes. This ensures there’s no delay or problem with the installation. Local plumbing companies will take perfect measurements and will make sure they buy the right components for the installation.

5. Mistake#5: Perfectly level shower floor

A shower floor must have a slope at the masonry level to ensure the wastewater drains properly. Professional plumbing services will carefully create the slope on the bathroom floor to ensure proper drainage. If that’s not done, they’ll have to remove all insets like the shower tiles or bathtub to fix the problem. DIYers make this mistake often and are forced to call Ottawa plumbing companies for help.

You can avoid these mistakes and problems associated with these mistakes by hiring a professional plumber for the job.

If you want a company that stands by its word and has the technical expertise needed to complete the job, we highly recommend that you give the professionals at Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing Services a call. They will be able to meet your Ottawa needs quickly.

Give us a call today for a free upfront estimate!

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Call Dr. Pipe to Solve Your Plumbing Problems!

Fully licensed and insured, Dr. Pipe has years of experience serving clients across Ottawa and neighbourhoods, earning a reputation for excellence. Our skilled and certified professionals ensure the job is done right the first time, giving you peace of mind every step of the way!