Homeowners can handle a number of small plumbing issues on their own, depending on skill and also how much they want to get involved with plumbing. Everyone, for example, should be able to locate the water shutoff valve and turn off the water supply to their home. Beyond that, it comes down to the individual. There are some plumbing problems, however, it’s definitely best to bring in a professional. It will save you time, headaches and money in the long run.

Can I replace a shutoff valve myself?
Shutoff valves are under sinks and behind toilets. They allow you to replace a supply line or make other repairs to the fixture with the water off. Sometimes these valves leak, often just because of age. If it happens to be a compression valve, you might be able to replace it yourself with a wrench or pliers. But even then, the DIY approach still may result in a leak. If the valve is an older sweat model — that is, soldered on — you can get into a real mess when tackling replacement. Plus, not everyone has a soldering torch or is comfortable using one.

How about unclogging drains?
Plungers and drain cleaning liquid or gel products often can fix a slow running or clogged drain. For stubborn clogs and adventurous DIYers, a hand-held “snake” may be do the trick. You just have to be careful not to damage your plumbing with overly zealous attempts to unclog the drain. If you have a drain that just keeps clogging or your initial attempts are unsuccessful, it’s best to call a professional plumber. They can find the underlying cause of the problem, sometimes by disassembling pipes and extracting clogs manually. The average homeowner may not have the necessary tools to fix a stubborn drain. Leaving it to a plumber has an added bonus: You don’t have to deal with the nasty odors likely to come from a clogged drain.

Leaky faucets look simple, but are they really?
You’re bound to have a leaky faucet in your home at some point. With a few basic tools and willingness to follow a meticulous process, you may be able to fix a leaky faucet. Each part needs to be removed, disassembled and put back together in a specific order. And you definitely don’t want to lose any of these tiny parts! Losing parts is one danger of the DIY solution. Another is that if you’re not careful, it’s easy to scratch or dent parts of your fixture. Repairing a leaky faucet looks simple, but may be a job best left for an experienced professional.

How about toilet problems?
Issues with toilets come in two varieties: 1) clogs and 2) water running constantly. For clogs, the plunger is the go-to tool. Rarely do people say they enjoy using a plunger to unclog a toilet, but for minor problems it generally does the job. If the plunger doesn’t do the trick after several tries, you may have an underlying issue like a sewage line that’s best left to a professional. When it comes to a running toilet, those problems generally require only basic tools and skills. A visual inspection inside the tank often will tell you what’s going on and how to fix it. Sometimes, however, you can replace most of the components and the toilet keeps running. A plumber can diagnose the problem and fix it quickly.

It’s OK to try a DIY approach to minor plumbing repairs, but if you’re more comfortable having work done by skilled professional plumbers, Knight’s Mechanical is the place to call.