Basic Plumbing Advice For Ladies
Plumbing is often considered a trade that is meant for men. A lot of women feel lost and helpless when it comes to plumbing issues. They cringe at the thought of paying a professional plumber to fix what is probably a simple job. If you find yourself in this situation, you should do something to get back some control. Read this article for some guidance in how you can gain more confidence in dealing with plumbing problems.
Basic plumbing is really not that hard to do. This is not about replacing pipes behind the wall or other major fixes. Learning how to diagnose and fix a basic leak is relatively simple. There are hundreds of reference books written that can give you a grasp of basic plumbing. Sometimes your big-box home center offer workshops in basic plumbing repairs. You can also find video tutorials on YouTube on practically any aspect of plumbing that you can think of. The point is that you have the potential to learn plumbing. No one is born with that knowledge or skill. Every professional plumber started with no knowledge of the subject once upon a time. Therefore, do not let the plumbing trade scare you off. Find a way to learn the basics, then tinker with a fixture or two. Get under the sink and see how things are connected. The more exposure you give yourself, the more comfortable with it you will become.
If you have big plumbing problem and you are afraid that you do not know enough to choose the right plumber for the job, ask your friends or colleagues to recommend someone to you. Everyone who has owned a home has had plumbing problems. You can probably get a few names of plumbers whom your friends can recommend.
You need to get over your fear of getting your hands dirty. If that really bothers you, wear some strong, disposable latex gloves. Accept the fact that you may have to get down under your sink to look at a leaky problem, or you may have to check under your toilet or look inside your tank. This is the nature of plumbing. Wear some old clothes before you get into it.
If you have found a plumber who comes highly recommended and whom you can trust, follow any advice that he has for you regarding proper maintenance. He can help you avoid major problems in the future.
You should keep some basic tools around for those simple fixes. Your toolbox should have wrenches, screwdrivers, washers, rags, plumber's putty and caulk. Keep those tools on hand at all times.
Check your pipes and fixtures for leaks periodically. Catching leaks and fixing them when they are still small will prevent more major problems, like a bursting pipe.
Even if you have never fixed any plumbing problems, that does not mean that you cannot learn. Learning how to do some of the more simple fixes can save you hundreds of dollars professional plumber fees. Keep this in mind, and start building up your plumbing knowledge today.
