From clogged sinks to overflowing toilets, just about everyone has had plumbing problems in their homes at some point. Some of these issues seem like they would be easy to fix, but many require the work of a licensed plumber. Your home’s plumbing system is more complicated than you might think, and trying to fix certain problems might just make them worse. While we recommend calling a plumber if you have any doubts about your plumbing, here are five plumbing problems that you should never try to fix yourself.

1. A Clogged Sewer Line

A clogged sewer line is a serious problem that you should never tackle on your own. Not only would it be way too difficult for someone to handle without the proper training and equipment, you could do thousands of dollars worth of damage to something that will affect your entire property if you do something wrong.

2. Leaky or Burst Pipes

If you have a leaky pipe in your home, never assume that you can just tighten a joint or patch it with plumber’s tape. The pipe will need to be replaced. This is a more dangerous and difficult task than you might think, so leave it for a professional if you want it done correctly.

3. Water Heater Replacement

Water heaters can last for years, but they need to be replaced if they start to leak or make unusual sounds. Since you’re dealing with hot water and your gas lines, you should never attempt to replace a water heater on your own.

4. Gas Line Repairs

Speaking of gas lines, you should never attempt to repair them on your own. Leaky gas lines are incredibly dangerous and can cause an explosion in your home. If you suspect that you have a gas leak anywhere, evacuate your home and contact someone who can fix it as soon as possible.

5. Flooding and Standing Water

If you have flooding or standing water anywhere in your home, your problems are bigger than a clogged sink or toilet. Even if you’re able to fix the source of the flooding, you still need to deal with problems like water damage and mold. There’s also always the chance that you haven’t completely fixed the leak that caused the flooding in the first place, so contact a plumber to look over your home.

As a rule, you should never attempt to fix any plumbing problem bigger than a clogged sink. If you have any plumbing problems that you think are beyond you, contact Plumbing Doctor for repairs.

If you’re going to remodel a bathroom in your home, you should upgrade your plumbing as well. Here are five reasons why this is a job that you should not fail.

More Options

A bathroom remodel is all about change. If you choose to leave your plumbing the way it is, you might run into problems that could bring your plans to a halt. However, if you have a plumber on your team, new opportunities will arise, and you can be more flexible with your blueprints. For example, you could place a tub in a new location or move your sink to a different spot that has better lighting.

Opportunities to Save Money

Not only can one plumbing mistake cause clogs, pipe damage, or leaks, but it can also lead to a high utility bill. When a plumbing system is updated or upgraded during a bathroom remodel by a plumber, he will take the lead. If any problems arise, the plumber will handle it.

Fewer Risks

During a bathroom remodel, there should never be any guesswork. If there is any uncertainty, you could accidently misalign a pipe and trigger a slow leak.

With help from a plumber, you can prevent disasters. A professional knows how to work around existing plumbing and how to incorporate new pipes correct way.

Energy Perks

Newer products are far more efficient than older, outdated products. This means that if you replace an old water heater with a new one that’s Energy Star certified, it can significantly decrease your utility bill. However, in order to take full advantage of an energy-efficient appliance, you’ll have to set it up correctly, and this is why it pays to hire a plumber.

Resale Value

If you plan to sell your home in the future, new plumbing can be very beneficial. When potential buyers scout new homes, they should consider the state of its plumbing system. An inspector will likely check for leaks, the condition of the water heater and pipes, the water pressure, and the main sewer line. Faulty plumbing can be a deal breaker because it can lead to bigger issues for new owners later on.

The Path to New Plumbing

Don’t let a plumbing problem derail your bathroom remodel. If you need a plumber for any reason, contact the Plumbing Doctor at www.plumbingdoctornj.com.

If you can’t file a homeowner’s insurance claim for plumbing repairs, what is it good for? It helps to understand what homeowner’s insurance is meant to do versus what you are expected to do as a homeowner. Then you can file claims when you need help most and plumbing issues actually apply.

Homeowner’s Insurance Is for Emergencies

Homeowner’s insurance exists for emergency purposes only. If it didn’t, homeowners would be filing claims every single time something needed to be fixed. Insurance companies would go bankrupt trying to keep up with all those repair claims. Instead, your insurance is for the purpose of fixing something that was damaged out of your control and was quite unexpected. An example would be pipes bursting in extreme cold. That would be a valid claim for insurance to pay out if your insurance company sold you a policy that covers such an issue.

Everything Else Isn’t Covered

Some insurance companies offer coverage for backed-up sewer drains and clogged sewer pipes, but that isn’t every company. Standard repairs like a clogged toilet, a faucet that won’t turn on, or a shower that doesn’t seem to have any water pressure or water coming out of the shower head is not something covered by insurance. Those are your typical out-of-pocket costs of owning and maintaining your home. 

Attempts to File Claims for Things Not Covered Could Be Disastrous

Attempting to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance for plumbing repairs not covered by insurance could be disastrous. The insurance agent may not even take your claim or acknowledge it. Worst case scenario, you have insurance that will be revoked for improper use of claims filing. Then you would not be covered for anything really serious that happens during your lapse of coverage on your home. Stick to filing claims that your insurance policy specifically covers and nothing else.