Why You Need a Licensed Plumber?

It is commendable when a homeowner learns enough about the basics of home maintenance that that they can take care of simple repairs but there are some areas where the services of a professional are absolutely necessary. One of those areas involves the plumbing in your house. Unless you have a simple clogged toilet that you can remedy with a plunger you need a licensed plumber.

Every state has plumbing codes or laws that regulate the installation of water lines and waste removal system to protect your safety. The codes cover the materials and fixtures that are used in the systems. They also regulate gas lines and fixtures. A licensed Maryland plumber is trained and tested on how to correctly install and maintain water and gas lines and perform all activities in compliance with the laws.

The plumbing in your home is comprised of a number of systems that mainly work independently, but together in some cases. The water you receive arrives under pressure and it requires stable copper or galvanized steel pipes and equally durable faucets and fixtures to handle the pressure.

If your incoming lines spring a leak, don’t try to repair them yourself. Your water pipes are under about 50 lbs of pressure per square inch (PSI) and even a small leak creates a spray with substantial force. Doing a poor job of repairing it could be disastrous. If you botch the repair and damage other sections you could end up with a flood.

The drain pipes and waste system depends primarily on gravity to move waste water and solids into the sewer system. It requires venting and back flow prevention to protect you from becoming exposed to nasty odors carrying harmful bacteria. Only a knowledgeable professional can correctly install and repair this area of your plumbing.

You are fortunate if your plunger can unblock an overflowing toilet, but when it does not, the likelihood that you have the equipment stored in your garage to handle the job is low. Over time the pipes that carry away waste can build up sludge and sediment to the point where it is a problem for anything to pass through.

Low water consumption toilets are prime candidates for blocked pipes because it requires a sufficient amount of water to push the solid waste out. You will need a plumber to clear the blockage with an electric “sewer snake.” It is a messy job and a licensed plumber knows how to clean up the mess so that you are not exposed to harmful bacteria.

Another do-it-yourself project is fixing a leaky faucet if it is not serious. I minor drip usually indicates a work out gasket, which you can purchase at your local hardware store. Be sure to write down the style and make of your faucet before you go. Shut off the water to the faucet and unscrew it with a wrench to replace the failed gasket. If the leak persists you may need a licensed plumber to replace the entire faucet.

Incoming search terms for the article:

Leave a Comment

Fields marked by an asterisk (*) are required.