Top 10 Plumbing Jobs to Leave to the Pros

Have you ever trusted a loved one or friend of a friend to help you with trades work like plumbing and it has gone badly?  Home plumbing repair books and guides can be helpful, as is the internet, but sometimes it is worth peace of mind to have a professional do the task.  We have comprised a list of top 10 plumbing jobs to leave to the pros and why you should.

You want a reputable plumber, and in Ontario they need to have a certificate of qualification meeting the government accredited standards.  You can verify the license of your tradesperson with the Municipal Licensing Office.  Get a referral from friends, family and neighbors as well as make certain they are insured.

1) Water heater replacement, especially if it is gas

Safety is the reason you need to have a licensed professional to install your water heater.  Gas is combustible and no one wants their home or loved ones at risk of danger.  The Technical Standards & Safety Authority has implemented code requirements that must comply with the 2007 standard.  Trust a professional with this job.  They can accurately assess and determine the correct water heater for your home and have it installed quickly and correctly, with warranty intact.  Also, customers may be eligible for government incentives for eco-friendly equipment, but you must obtain a certified energy audit before and after installation.  It is good insurance to pay a professional for this service so on a cold night when you want a hot shower after a long day; you don’t get ice shooting out at you and be in desperate need of a space heater and electric blanket.

2) Running a drain under concrete

Have you seen a basement floor with a trench in it?  That could have been a handy husband at work, and is now avoiding it as it is too big a job to handle via internet information.  This plumbing process can be quite difficult and messy, especially if unskilled.  A few things to consider are tree roots, what is under the existing concrete, slope for proper angles for drainage, the necessary tools and muscle required for this job.  Due to the potential for error, this is a good example of a top 10 plumbing job to leave to the pros.  Ineptitude can destroy your basement and cause major issues later if the drain is not properly installed and the pipes not correctly positioned and joined.  Plus, you would also like the concrete back in place, and not breakable and bumpy that you cannot lay laminate over without stubbing your toe.

3) Basement waterproofing, including foundation cracks

If water is leaking into your foundation, you may not notice until enough time has elapsed to do serious damage.  Mold causes illness, especially in children and seniors, and can be very costly to destroy once it has invaded your space.  Who wants to have to dig a six foot ditch around their house with a shovel and a group of buddies you bribed with a 2-4 and now need to feed?  Remember a happy wife equals happy life.  Tying up your time doing this chore is not beneficial to a happy home life.  If you call in a qualified professional, they can assess if you actually have a crack that requires exterior waterproofing and if you need to have the ground around the basement dug up or have some holes drilled and filled with epoxy or even if treating the interior will be the best solution.  Getting a professional to evaluate the situation and recommend the best solution to you can have your basement environment free from odor and infestation and allow you to enjoy your total living space without the threat of mold and deterioration due to moisture.

4) Toilet replacement

Replacing a toilet may not be very difficult if you have the directions and tools to do it, however skills are vital so you do not end up with mess up to your armpits.  If not done correctly your new toilet can have flush or leakage problems that will cause frustration and further mess requiring correction and additional clean up. According to the do-it-yourselfers, this is a relatively easy chore, however, why then is there a leak coming through the living room ceiling from the commode upstairs?  Why have a towel around the bottom of the toilet to control unsightly leaks at the bottom?  Sigh….Call the plumber and get the job done right the first time.

5) Hot tub installation

Plumbing schematics can vary with the variety of hot tubs available as well as be tricky to accurately follow.  You can be seriously disappointed when the tub is turned on if the plumbing is not right.  You also do not want to puncture the water tank, so it is imperative you understand and follow installation directions.  To be safe, it is best to get an experienced tub installer, one that can ensure it is on a structurally sound foundation that can support the tub and the water weight.  You also want to ensure the filter is connected correctly as it is responsible for cleaning the water, and runs all the time your spa is running.  You want to be able to enjoy your hot tub for years to come so it is essential to have a strong foundation and appropriately installed.

6) Shower installation

Having to push the water down your drain after every shower is not a pleasant chore.  If the drain is not properly installed and does not allow the water to flow easily down to it and through it, with proper venting, it is going to be a major pain.   Left over puddles will cause mold to grow and will have to be cleaned after every use.  Getting a good plumber to install your shower will save you serious headaches later.

7) Sewer line repair

Repairing a sewer line is typically an invasive process that will dig up your yard.  Do you really want yourself and your neighbor out there taking a crack at it in the middle of winter or in the heat of the summer?  The best idea is to call a professional.  This job requires good equipment, as you may need to move rocks, go through tree roots, and cut and fit pipes.   Joints in the sewer pipes need to be sealed as cracks or play can allow water vapor to attract tree roots, causing further damage.  The skills and knowledge of a professional are best to succeed at this task, to reduce extended costs and further torment. 

8) Main shut-off replacement

One of the top 10 plumbing jobs to leave to the pros is main water valve shut-off replacement.  Shutting off your home water valve can be easy enough but for the exterior, main water shut off, you need to have a special key to turn it and typically only a plumber or tradesperson would have access to such a tool.  Calling the municipality can provide the necessary direction required when replacing the main water shut-off.  As well you need to obtain the correct replacement parts, so why use your own time, muscle and cerebral resources, call a professional plumber to help with this task.

9) Dishwasher repairs or leaks

The husband may have adequate potential to successfully complete this job, but why risk it?  Get a plumber to check it out, as you don’t want some strange smell emitting from your dishwasher that now may mean ripping it back out, as well as the plumbing to try to source the aroma.  Once there is a leak, you need to determine how much damage may have occurred and your floor and cabinetry is at risk, and this gets costly and troublesome.  Let a plumber evaluate your dishwasher issue.  It may not be the dishwasher at all, so before sinking good time and money after bad to try to resolve a problem with band aids, make a call to a professional.

10) Septic tanks

This top 10 plumbing job to leave to the pros is vital if your property has a septic tank.  The life expectancy of a septic tank fluctuates, it will need to be replaced and installation can be a determining factor as to how long the system will adequately function.  When the time comes to install or change the septic tank, it is such an expensive and important task, it is better left to the professionals.  If not properly installed, you can experience wets spots, foul odor, back-ups or slow drainage.  Do not risk these problems, call a plumber for help.

Getting a professional plumber or qualified tradesperson may appear more costly up front but far less expensive and frustrating in the longer term as described in the above top 10 plumbing jobs to leave to the pros.

You will want a reasonable rate for your plumber, but it may be difficult to compare rates.  Interview several professionals for major repairs or installations and follow up on their references.  We hope the top 10 plumbing jobs to leave to the pros is of some assistance to you.

Downtown Areas servicing:  East York, Allen Road, Eglinton, North York, Lawrance area, Yonge Street, Toronto. Also: Oakville, Mississauga, North York, Toronto, Etobicoke and the GTA.

 

Draincom understands the importance of quick response and guaranteed scheduling.  Our team of professionals will make this interruption in your life as painless as possible and leave your house as if the leak was never there!  For qualified professional for a top 10 plumbing job to leave to the pros, call today for a free estimate: 416-989-5757.