Often perceived as simple systems of pipes and fixtures, plumbing systems are actually very complex—and very important. They deliver an astounding array of supplies and services that are taken for granted—until something goes wrong. The most common problems include these:
1. Leaking faucets,
2. Clogged drains,
3. Running toilets,
4. Low water pressure, and
5. Faulty water heaters.
Each of these, if not repaired promptly, can lead to a serious increase in both water wastage and your utility bills. Worse, some problems, like a broken sewer line or sump pump, can threaten your health and safety, not to mention your property. Therefore, maintaining the efficiency of your plumbing system is a safety issue as well as an economic one.
Although some minor plumbing issues might lure homeowners into a foolhardy DIY plumbing project, hiring an experienced, professional plumber to handle any of the three major types of repairs offers many clear advantages. First, and most obviously, these pros have lots of experience. They're (mostly) not wet behind the ears and can spot problems that are (mostly) not up-front and obvious. Second, they have (mostly) the right tools (and know how to use them) for the plumbing job at hand. If you've ever seen a pipe wrench (or a set of pipe wrenches) up close and personal, you're well aware that you're definitely not going to attempt to use those things to fix a leaking pipe. But maybe worth mentioning is that if you don't have the right tool for the job, you're also not going to use the right method for the job, either. Third, and perhaps underappreciated, is that these plumbing professionals keep up with the plumbing trade.
Having a professional plumber do routine maintenance and inspections allows your plumbing system to live longer and avoid the "emergency" label. What kind of life-extending, emergency-preventing activities do they do? It's sort of like going to the doctor for a check-up, except with less embarrassing moments and more opportunity for life-endangering situations to be averted. And like a doctor, a plumber doing maintenance and repair has the chance to see and recognize possibly life-threatening—for your plumbing, that is—situations in the plumbing system before they get to the point of being plumbing emergencies. They can do this, and you can have them do this, while not living in fear of becoming a plumbing emergency.