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Know Your DIY
Plumbing Limitations
Although most plumbing chores done
around the house can seem daunting, seen from the
perspective of a plumber or one who has spent some time learning proper procedures, it can be
pretty easy. Much of what is involved in plumbing for the DIY person such as
stopping a faucet from leaking or replacing under-sink drain pipes is not difficult, and only
takes a little patience to learn and perform correctly. If you are already somewhat
handy doing repairs, half the battle has already been won.
On the other hand every person who
intends to perform home maintenance needs to know their limitations. This
could come in the form of knowing how to or not “sweat” copper tubing fittings, or awareness of
what local codes are as far as whether or not certain activities are only allowed for licensed
plumbers. So in DIY Plumbing, the operative phrase is you can't do it all be yourself you
also have to know when you need to hire a professional.
DIY
Plumbing:
Considerations of safety should actually be at the top
the list for a DIY person, and for good reason. In
DIY Plumbing, if you are working near electricity - say during the process of
changing a garbage disposal, you need to be certain that the electrical power is disabled, and
that you are not in danger of splashing water into exposed outlets. If you are in a cramped area
particularly, you need to be assured that it is properly illuminated and made as comfortable as
possible with items such as drop cloths and cushions being used.
DIY Plumbing: Watch and
Learn
Sometimes it is an annoyance to a plumber to be watched
closely by a customer who wants to become a DIY Plumbing Person. This is
understandable, but if done discreetly and tactfully it is an opportunity to learn something new
and/or important. If you can hang back for the first few minutes and let the
repairman clearly assess the situation while demonstrating both your appreciation of his
presence and your desire to learn, most likely you will not be viewed as a
nuisance.
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