Why Should Homeowners Always Hire a Professional Plumber?

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Are Expert Repairs Needed In Your Home?

Some plumbing tasks are easy for most homeowners, like unclogging the toilet with a plunger or installing a new shower head. However, most other plumbing problems and emergencies should only be handled by licensed and experienced professionals. Because plumbing deals with water and electricity, there is very little margin for error. Inexpert installations and repairs can cost thousands of dollars in unexpected damages.

Responsible homeowners understand the value of regular maintenance. Periodically performing preventative maintenance and getting checks from an expert keeps most plumbing problems from becoming emergencies. But the unexpected can and does happen. When plumbing emergencies occur, it is always best to get help from a trained professional plumber. If necessary, shut off the water source and call for help.

Pros Prevent Costly Mistakes

diy“There are some DIY projects that are the most fun and rewarding if you simply dive in and learn as you go. And then there’s plumbing.”

~ Popular Mechanics

Saving money by performing appropriate DIY maintenance and repairs is a good thing. Paying thousands of dollars for unnecessary repairs after attempting professional-level tasks is not.

For example, given that properly installing a water heater takes a few hours and plumbers charge by the hour, some owners think they can do the job themselves and save a few hundred dollars. But if even one step in the installation process is missed or done incorrectly, any or all of the following can happen:

  • Water leaks
  • Gas leaks
  • Electrical shorts
  • Flooding
  • Water damage to walls, floors, furniture, and electronics
  • Electrical fire
  • Mold growth
  • An unusable expensive water heater with a voided warranty

None of this is an exaggeration. DIYers often overestimate their abilities and end up making costly mistakes. This example of a relatively straightforward plumbing job for a skilled professional can quickly become an expensive nightmare for an inexperienced DIY homeowner. 

Contractors Are Faster and More Efficient

time For anyone trying to do their plumbing repairs, there is nothing worse than wasting time by spending hours online half-learning how to do something, making multiple trips to the plumbing supply store, then coming home to find out that they also need specialized tools and equipment to do the job.

Trying to learn DIY plumbing requires a huge investment of time and energy. However, plumbers already carry the parts to handle most home plumbing tasks and repairs. They already have the specialized tools, equipment, and testing devices that are typically needed. And most importantly, licensed professional plumbers have the training and experience to fix the plumbing properly and use the supplies, tools, devices, and equipment necessary to get the job done quickly.

Professionalism Ensures Peace of Mind

In the state of Florida, certified plumbers are required by law to have:

  • A license issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
  • Proof of at least four years of experience or a combination of related training and experience
  • Insurance for public liability, workers’ compensation, and property damage
  • Proof that they have passed a State exam

A licensed plumber in Florida has far more training and experience than even the handiest homeowner. Plus, they are insured if an accident happens, which protects the homeowners from financial responsibility for injuries and damages. This gives homeowners peace of mind that their plumbing is in good hands, but they are protected if something bad happens. 

About Falcon Plumbing

Falcon Plumbing is a family-owned business with over 25 years of experience serving the residents of Miami, FL, and the surrounding areas. They offer flat-rate pricing, personal attention, and 24/7 emergency service at no extra charge. Call them today for plumbing services in Miami, FL.


Here's Why DIY Plumbing Is Always the Wrong Answer

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DIY Plumbing Repairs Aren’t Worth the Risk

Plumbing work requires licenses, certifications, and (arguably), most importantly, insurance. Not everyone can be a plumber, but many homeowners look at plumbing repairs as one massive DIY project. When it comes to plumbing, it’s best if homeowners stay off of YouTube. DIY plumbing almost always has setbacks, letdowns, and overcharges, and sometimes can even make a problem worse or create an entirely new issue. 

Homeowners might think they can save a little money by doing it themselves, but they almost always end up spending more in the end. It is best to call a professional to ensure the project is completed correctly and leaves the system in better shape overall. Not only will professionals fix the problem, but they will also check out the rest of the system. 

Keep reading to learn three reasons why DIY plumbing is always a bad idea.

Without Specialized Training, Homeowners Can Misdiagnose the Problem

This is perhaps the most important thing to remember, so it is first. Professionals are professionals for a reason, and plumbing requires professionals for a reason. Plumbers go through specialized training to learn how the plumbing system works. Not only that, but they are trained, certified, licensed, and insured to use specialized tools and to work in the plumbing environment safely. 

When homeowners aren’t specially trained or certified and they try to DIY a plumbing project, they could end up sick, hurt, or in a world of expensive damage repairs when it’s all said and done. There aren’t enough YouTube videos in the world to certify a homeowner in plumbing. Many plumbing issues have the same signs, so no matter how much research a homeowner does, they could misdiagnose the problem and make the existing problem worse or create an entirely new issue. 

It Always Takes Longer To DIY a Project clock

As mentioned above, plumbers are trained professionals. That means they can get the job done faster and more efficiently than any DIY homeowner plumber. Not only that, but most plumbers have years and even decades of experience doing some of the most common plumbing jobs every single day. Homeowners might think they are saving themselves time by doing it themselves, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. 

DIY homeowner plumbers end up: 

  • Making multiple trips to the store for parts
  • Renting and re-renting often unnecessary equipment that the store clerk talked them into renting
  • Wasting gas money
  • It takes them longer to find the root cause of the problem (if they find it at all)
  • It takes them longer to fix the problem
  • It takes them longer to clean up when they’ve supposedly fixed the problem

All in all, the entire process takes longer from start to finish. 

cost

Renting the Specialized Tools Costs More Too! 

It not only takes longer for DIY homeowner plumbers to get the job done, but it also ends up costing them a lot more to do it themselves. All those trips to the hardware store add up in gas, renting tools, buying other products they think they might need (but may not need), etc. 

There is also a great chance that the homeowner will cause more damage while trying to fix the current problem, leading to even more wasted money and them having to call a professional to fix the mess anyway. It is best to call the professional first and leave all the DIY stuff for in-home activities. 

Professionals also want to note how dangerous plumbing is. All professional plumbers are insured by their employer. Therefore, everything is covered if something goes wrong or someone gets hurt on the job. Homeowners who DIY plumbing do not have this luxury. 

Falcon Plumbing Won’t Disappoint!

Falcon Plumbing is a family-owned and female-owned and operated company with over 30 years of experience serving its community in Miami, FL, and the surrounding areas. They provide flat-rate pricing, same-day or next-day service, and 24/7 emergency service at no extra charge. Call them today for plumbing services in Miami, FL.