I bet everyone who has any experience with Clinton Maintenance & Plumbing has been exposed to the common statement “I need a plumber”. Whether this is in the form of an actual emergency, such as a backed up toilet or leaking faucet, or just a routine problem such as a plugged-up drain, the statement is commonly made. What is the answer? Well, the short answer is that you simply don’t call a plumber unless…

Why not? This is a question that can be answered in a few different ways. You may feel like you don’t have the time to contact a plumber, and certainly if you’ve got a major plumbing or electrical problem you’re probably going to want to call a professional. For smaller problems though, there are at least a few simple reasons that calling a plumber isn’t necessarily a bad idea.

Maintenance & Plumbing issues aren’t usually that complicated. Most people have at least a vague idea of what they’re doing. If the issue is with a simple fix however, chances are good that you’ve already done it! A simple fix such as checking your water meter might seem like a trivial matter, but if you’re missing water or you’re constantly losing water and it’s dripping everywhere then you really should call a plumber. Simple things, like getting a handle on your leaky faucet, are a great way to ensure that your plumber sees what you’re dealing with and can give you the free advice and service that you need.

Another reason that you shouldn’t automatically call a plumber is because sometimes, they aren’t necessary at all. For instance, you might not need a plumber’s help to repair the issue in your bathroom sink. This is particularly true if the damage is relatively minimal and if you follow the simple steps listed above (using your sink’s faucet to test for leaks, testing to make sure the drain is clogged and finally calling a plumber). If you’re dealing with a more serious issue however, such as a backed up toilet that won’t flush anymore or a sink that won’t fill anymore, then you’re probably going to need the help of a plumber. The first thing you want to do is assess the situation honestly and determine whether you actually need a professional’s help or not.

Now, even if you do feel like your plumbing and/or drainage needs a little bit of maintenance and upkeep, you should still call a plumber before trying to do it yourself. After all, the last thing that you want to do is to cause further damage to your pipes by attempting repairs on your own. It’s better to call a good plumber to come out and take care of any plumbing issues that you might have instead of doing it yourself and causing potential issues for yourself or your home. Even though a plumbing emergency doesn’t always warrant a plumber’s visit, it should definitely be brought up when talking to them.

Finally, even though a plumber can fix many problems with plumbing, he/she should still be avoided at all costs if at all possible. If you’re not sure how to tell whether or not you’re dealing with a legitimate plumber, there are a few signs that can help you make that call. One of those signs is when a problem arises that you haven’t expected, such as a backed up toilet or a clogged sink. Another is when you come to a point where the only option is to call in the professionals. Remember, just because you’re calling a plumber to take care of a problem doesn’t mean that you’re agreeing to an unnecessary expense (especially when you’re dealing with something as important as your plumbing).