Showing posts with label do it yourself plumbing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label do it yourself plumbing. Show all posts
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Think You Can Take On That Bathroom Remodeling Project?
Before You Decide to Do It Yourself, Read This!With one of the highest rates of return on investment of any home improvement, bathroom remodeling not only adds value to your home, but also is a major selling point for potential buyers. However, when you consider everything that goes into a quality bathroom renovation, the costs can add up quickly. From fixtures to plumbing to floors to paint, you may find yourself in over your head before you even begin. Add expensive labor costs and contractor fees and you may start to think that doing the work yourself is not a bad idea. But before you undertake a major bathroom renovation project on your own, think about it carefully.
Sure, you can manage to finish all the work yourself but can you manage to make it look great? We all want to save money, but none of us wants oddly cut tiles, crooked wallpaper, peeling paint,leaky pipes an uneven toilet, or any one of the number of other little mistakes that can creep their way into an amateur remodeling project. Make sure you’re ready for—and can live with—a finished job that looks like you did it yourself.
Have you ever planned and executed such a project before? Not everyone has the eye, the vision, the understanding, the attention to detail, or the focus to properly design a bathroom themselves. And have you ever actually performed any of the remodeling tasks that your plan calls for or used any of the tools required to do the job? If you are inexperienced or just all thumbs, you may be biting off a lot more than you can chew.
Are you basing your bathroom remodel on something you got from a home improvement book or magazine? Sure, on paper it may seem like a simple, step-by-step process. But remodeling a bathroom is not like baking cookies. All homes and bathrooms are not alike, and a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all design project may simply not work for your bathroom situation.
Does your municipality require permits for such work? If so, do you know how to acquire them? Plumbing and remodeling contractors can get these permits easily; do-it-yourselfers may not know the proper channels.
If you’ve ever attempted a do-it-yourself home improvement you know how hard it can be to overlook even the smallest mistake once the project is complete. Your eyes go over and over that one spot that looks less than perfect or that dark corner that just doesn’t seem right. If you’re the kind of person who is uncomfortable with imperfection or can’t deal with your own failures then it may be better to leave the job to a professional.
One of the best things about hiring a pro is that they know people. And not just any people. They know people who can get great deals on everything from light fixtures to faucets to custom tiles. You probably do not know these people. A professional can help you get the best price on the best materials; you could actually end up paying more by doing things on your own.
Home improvements take time. In some cases, they can take lots of time—time away from your spouse, your kids, your normal life. Before you undertake a major renovation like a bathroom remodel, make sure you consider the toll it may take on your personal life and your relationships. Annoying delays and setbacks can pile up, making what once seemed like a simple project drag on for weeks or months. Unless you’re truly prepared for the unknown, you may want to leave things to the pros.
Bathroom upgrades are not a simple home improvement project. You may be reluctant to spend money on hiring a professional, but this is really the only way to avoid costly mistakes. It is possible, though, to save money even if you go with a pro. Here are some ways how:
- Buy your own fixtures instead of paying the contractor’s mark-up.
- Remove tile and flooring yourself if your plan is to replace it anyway.
- Take on painting and tiling on your own. Even if you’re a total novice, you can do a good job with a little practice.
Don't Forget: Beautiful walls, cabinets and floors are great, but the real guts of your bathroom are the pipes and plumbing fixtures. You not only want your remodeled bathroom to look like a million bucks, you want it to be functional and worry-free. If your bathroom remodeling project calls for the installation, replacement or reconfiguration of plumbing fixtures, pipes and equipment, call the plumbing professionals at Horizon Services. We will make sure that everything is installed and connected properly and fully operational so that you can use and enjoy your new bathroom to its fullest.
Related Bathroom and Plumbing Information from Horizon Services...
Related Bathroom and Plumbing Information from Horizon Services...
- Horizon Plumbing Services
- Horizon Drain Cleaning Services
- Horizon Sewer Line Services
- How To Properly Use a Plunger to Unclog a Toilet, Sink or Tub
- Winter Plumbing Maintenance Tips
- 9 Ways to Save Water
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Friday, December 10, 2010
Some Pros and Cons of DIY Plumbing
Read This BEFORE You Tackle That Plumbing Job Yourself!With the rising cost of…well…everything, more and more homeowners are turning to do-it-yourself (DIY) projects for everything from growing their own produce to car repairs. DIY home improvement has always been popular, and there are benefits and drawbacks to undertaking these projects yourself.
When it comes to DIY home plumbing, there are thousands of plumbing resources available—books, videos, online resources, television shows, magazines, and more. DIY plumbing is attractive because it seems relatively easy and can save a significant amount of cash over hiring a contractor or professional plumber. But before you take on that plumbing project, consider the pros and cons of DIY plumbing.
DIY Plumbing Pros
One benefit of DIY plumbing is that you can usually trust who you’ve hired – as long as you trust yourself! Though asking for referrals from friends and family is a generally reliable way to find a good professional, many homeowners are wary of inviting contractors into their homes. When you know you can do the work yourself, you never have to worry about the skill or reputation of workers in your house.
Also in the pro column, many basic plumbing and drain repairs -- like unclogging a slow drain or plunging a stopped up toilet –- are relatively easy and quick. It may seem silly to call a professional plumber on these occasions, so knowing how to do them yourself can save a lot of hassle and a ton of cash...especially on weekends or holidays when plumbers’ rates jump drastically.
DIY Plumbing Cons
The main problem with DIY plumbing is that there are a lot of unknowns to contend with. Even simple projects like repairing a leaky faucet or changing a shower head can quickly become more complicated than the average weekend warrior can handle. And a plumbing mistake can be far more costly than messing up the paint job in your living room or installing a crooked chair rail in your dining room.
Another DIY plumbing con is that changing your home’s plumbing significantly, such as expanding your kitchen or adding on a bathroom, usually requires a permit from your local municipality. For plumbing amateurs, navigating this often complex process can be difficult and may cut into your project deadline and budget. Professional plumbers are adept at cutting through bureaucratic red tape in order to secure the proper permits, ensuring your plumbing job is completed on time and on budget.
If you carry homeowner’s insurance, your carrier may require that any significant plumbing work be conducted by a licensed professional. If this is the case and there is any damage done to your home during the course of the plumbing project, your insurer will only pay on a claim if the work has been performed by a qualified plumbing contractor; if you do the work yourself and a disaster occurs, you’ll have to foot the bill out of your own pocket.
Plumbing is often physically taxing work. Carrying pipes, knocking out walls, shimmying into tight spaces, and loosening tight or rusty pipe joints requires strength and stamina. Plumbing and drain jobs often require the use of chemical solvents, welding and soldering equipment, torches and other potentially harmful materials and tools. If you’re not up to the task physically, best to leave the work to a plumbing pro.
Bottom Line: Don’t Take Chances With Your Home's Plumbing
If you have some plumbing knowledge and are a natural handyman, many plumbing jobs can be done on a DIY basis. But let’s face it – in this day and age, most homeowners – male and female – aren’t very mechanically inclined. Plumbing is a complex skill that requires years of training. Letting an inexperienced person play with plumbing is like letting a child play with a loaded gun. Bad plumbing work today will lead to extensive and expensive plumbing repairs tomorrow. When in doubt, call the plumbing professionals at Horizon Services. You’ll get a quick, accurate diagnosis of your plumbing problem and effective, affordable plumbing solutions that you can trust.
Related Plumbing Information from Horizon Services…
Monday, September 20, 2010
Solving Common Toilet Problems
Quick and Easy Toilet Repairs That Anyone Can Do!Even if you’re less than handy when it comes to home plumbing repairs, the following toilet tricks are simple enough for you to tackle on your own.
Phantom Toilet Flushes:
If your toilet frequently refills spontaneously, as though somebody has just flushed it, you’ve got a phantom flush. No, your house probably isn’t haunted, but that sporadic running is caused by a slow leak from the toilet tank into the toilet bowl. The problem is likely a bad flapper or flapper seat. To fix it, drain the toilet tank and the toilet bowl, and check the flapper. Clean the seat if necessary or replace the flapper mechanism if it appears cracked, worn or damaged. Flappers and flapper parts are available at any hardware store.
Toilet Bowl Emptying Too Slowly:
A weak flush, or a toilet bowl that empties too slowly, usually means the flush holes under the rim of the bowl are clogged. Using a curved piece of wire, gently poke each hole to clear away debris. A wire coat hanger works well for this, and you can use a small mirror to help you find the holes inside the toilet rim.
Ugly Toilet Clogs:
By far the most common—and frequently most unpleasant—toilet problem is a clog. To clear a clogged toilet drain, try a force-cup plunger instead of the standard type. A force-cup plunger has a small rubber extension at the bottom that fits into the bowl drain for better suction. Put the bulb into the drain and pump straight up and down with force. Slowly lift the handle and let some water in to see if the clog is cleared.
If you’ve got a really serious toilet clog, you may need something a little stronger than a plunger. Try a closet auger, which you can purchase at any home improvement or plumbing supply store. Insert the auger into the toilet drain and twist the handle as you push the rotor down. Be careful not to scratch the bowl.
Leaky Toilet Seals:
There are at least five seals on a standard toilet, and all of them can leak. Before you can fix it, you have to figure out which seal is leaking. The largest seal is between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl; if you’ve got a leak here, water will shoot out from under the tank every time the toilet is flushed. The smaller seals at the bolts that mount the toilet to the floor and the one at the base of the ballcock will cause smaller leaks. To replace one of these faulty seals, drain the water from the toilet tank first. Then simply take off the damaged seal and put on a new one. If you suspect a leak at one of the smaller seals, you might also try tightening the bolts or nuts; this can often stop a minor leak.
The fifth seal is the wax seal mounted underneath the base of the toilet. If this seal is damaged, you’ll have water leaking from the toilet onto the floor. This can cause the floor to rot, which means big trouble. If you simply caulk the seal without repairing the leak, water will be trapped under the base of the toilet, making the situation worse. You’ll have to remove the entire toilet and replace the wax seal. If you don’t feel up to it, this would be the time to call in a plumbing professional.
Related Plumbing and Toilet Information from Horizon Services...
Monday, April 26, 2010
Know When to Call a Plumbing Professional...and When Not To!
Plumbing repair is certainly not for the faint of heart, but how do you know if that leaky faucet or other plumbing repair job is something you can fix yourself or if it requires the golden wrench of an experienced plumber? Here are some suggestions the plumbing technicians at Horizon Services recommend to help you make the decision whether to call a plumber or try to take on the plumbing job yourself.
If you have a damaged gas line, don’t even try to work on it yourself. You are putting yourself at a major risk for worsening the leak or even triggering an explosion. A professional plumber has the specialized tools needed to contend with serious issues like this.
If your house is severely flooded, you should have called a plumber an hour ago! If you didn’t, call a plumber NOW! If the water back-up is being caused by a clogged drain that you’ve tried unsuccessfully to dislodge, a plumber can access places in the pipe work you wouldn’t think to check and get to the root of the plumbing or drain problem.
If your plumbing issue lies in the water or sewer lines connected to your home, don’t go it alone. These systems are complicated and repairs require the work of a plumbing or water line/sewer line professional. A reputable plumbing or water line/service line contractor will know how to obtain the appropriate city or county permits that may be needed to tackle this kind of project.
If you think your pipes have frozen or that you have a leak caused by a cracked pipe, call a plumber immediately. Cold weather is one of the biggest threats to your home’s plumbing system and can cause serious damage; a plumbing professional will be able to thaw frozen pipes and seal or repair cracks before things get worse.
If you have raw sewage backed up into your yard or basement, you need professional help. Septic leaks can contaminate ground water and wells, not to mention cause embarrassing and messy spills. The area around the septic tank may have to be excavated to find the source of the problem and repair it. This is not something you want to have anything to do with.
If you suspect a problem with your water pump, call a licensed plumber. You might need replacement parts or a whole new pump; the average weekend warrior doesn’t have the right tools for this kind of job. And pump system replacement requires a specialized set of plumbing skills that can only come from years experience and training.
If your water heater is not functioning properly and you’ve tried simple fixes like adjusting the thermostat and checking the pilot light, hire a plumbing professional. You could have a bigger problem like tank corrosion or electrical system malfunction, neither of which you want to try to fix on your own.
If you have any doubts about your ability to fix even the simplest plumbing problem, don’t hesitate to call in a plumber. You could end up causing even more damage to your home and plumbing system by pushing ahead with the plumbing repair yourself.
Bottom Line: Do-it yourself plumbing can be a real crap-shoot. Home-gamers need to ask themselves if the reward of saving some bucks is worth the risk of making the plumbing problem worse and costlier down the line. These days, we all need to watch every penny, but when it comes to your home’s plumbing, spending a little more now can save so much more in the long run.
Related Plumbing Information from Horizon Services...
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