With many master plumbers charging in excess of $100 an hour, hiring a plumber can be quite expensive. That’s why more homeowners are turning to DIY to solve their plumbing needs. But, the question quickly becomes, when is it appropriate to ignore the plumber’s quote and just do the work yourself?
Here are three rather simple and effective plumbing DIY projects homeowners can handle without expert help.
Fixing a Dripping Tap
A leaky tap isn’t always a sign of major trouble. In fact, with the proper tools and approach you can easily fix a dripping tap. The culprit usually comes down to one of two possible things: the washer needs to be replaced or the valve seat needs to be switched out.
Replacing a Sink
Although this can sound like a rather complicated process, it can be done without professional help. The waste pipe for most sinks connect directly to the underside of the sink. So, once you remove the sealant, then unscrew the basin from the waste pipe, that’s it. Just be careful as the sink may be heavy — which could require a second pair of hands to haul out the old one and get the new one hooked up.
Switching Out the Tap
Believe it or not, replacing a tap can be far easier than replacing a washer to stop a dripping faucet. If you go this route and decide to not repair the tap but to replace it altogether, make sure you have turned the water off that leads to the sink in question.
Conclusion
These three jobs may be rather simple to do on your own, but homeowner beware … never alter the pipes or drains without getting professional plumbing help. The pipes in your home are intricate systems and what you may do to one could have a larger and more costly ripple effect through your entire home.