When to Call a Plumber to Assist With a Home Remodel
When remodelling any part of your home, you want to use the services of an expert for any task that is beyond your area of expertise, especially for anything that involves plumbing. Properly installing new plumbing involves more than just randomly attaching pipes to one another, as those pipes need to be at a certain angle for proper water flow, and they also need vents to help create suction and keep that water moving. While some remodelling jobs may not need the services of a plumber, note when it's best to have one assist with work you're doing and why their help can be needed.
When pipes don't match
If you tear up a floor or knock out a wall in the home and notice mismatched plumbing pipes, meaning pipes of two different metals or a metal pipe attached to a PVC pipe, you want to call a plumber to replace those. Different materials can create a certain chemical reaction when exposed to each other and to water, and this reaction can mean the increased risk of corrosion. In turn, your home may be at risk for water leaks or burst pipes. Have a plumber inspect the pipes and note which ones should be replaced so you avoid this risk.
When changing plumbing fixtures
Don't assume that you can install a new hot water heater, dishwasher, or other such fixture without calling a plumber, even if your new piece fits the same footprint as the old. The exterior size of an appliance itself is not always the determining factor for what it needs by way of plumbing; for example, a new dishwasher may be the same size as your old one, but the new one may offer more pressure from its water jets. In turn, it may need larger plumbing pipes to accommodate that added pressure. If your remodel involves changing any type of fixture, have a plumber first update your home's pipes, as needed.
When you see signs of a leak
Don't assume that a plumbing leak means you'll see water running down a pipe, as pipes may be adjacent to wall studs and other materials that absorb leaking water. Instead, you might notice blackened or mouldy wood, softened wood, algae growing on the wood, or a musty smell when you remove building materials. Call a plumber to find the source of the leak and repair it before you continue with your home remodel, to ensure this leak doesn't get worse over time.
For more information on how a plumber can be helpful in your home remodeling project, contact a local company, such as P1 Plumbing & Electrical.
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