Did you know that the Romans invented plumbing, and in fact, the Latin word for lead was plumbum? Although technically being around for thousands of years, indoor plumbing as we know it, however, did not become the norm in the average home until the late 1800s. Even then, plumbing was still considered a luxury. Today, tandem with home ownership comes a lot of minor tweaks and fixes that will warrant your attention. Lawn care and basic home maintenance is a given, but often an unlikely plumbing problem, such as a clogged toilet, hot water heater leaking, or shower faucet repair, can rear their ugly head, too. When these things happen, how do you know if you can fix it yourself or if you would be better off enlisting the services of a professional and experienced plumber? Well, the proof is in the leak.
If you suddenly discover your water heater leaking, take a look to see if you can identify where the leak is coming from. Eight times out of ten, a water heater leaking will need to be replaced, however, if the leak is coming from the pipes or fixtures (not the tank), you might be in luck. It is important to mention that before embarking on any water heater leaking repair, make sure the electric or gas is first shut off to your unit. If the water heater leaking stems from a pipe, you may be able to tighten or reseal the leak and or fixture. If, however, the leak stems from the tank, you need to call professional plumbing services, unless, of course, you can install an electric water heater (or gas water heater) yourself.
In addition to identifying the source of your water heater leaking, you may be able to do your own toilet repair, too. Often the problem originates from the toilet tank, and if this is the case, replacing or adjusting the ballcock or flapper can regulate the water level. Again, however, if adjusting or replacing these parts does not solve your problem, it would be in your best interest to call a local and experienced plumber to fix your plumbing woes!