#plumbing problems

After I double checked the nut I needed for the plumbing problem I discovered the one I found to order wouldn’t quite fit. So, finally, I’d have to bite the bullet and go to physical stores and ask physical humans.

Maybe if they didn’t have it in stock they could order it. Or find something that would do the job just. Or just tell me precisely the jargon I needed to more accurately hunt online.

Nope.

Basically, it’s non-standard and ancient. At one place, a hardware supply place my father used to do a lot of business with, the guy looked a while saying how the business had been there forever and still had a few pieces of ancient stock. Then, as he handed it back, he sighed and said it’s just too old. Everything is standard now….

So great. I don’t have the part. I can’t find anyone that can get me the part. And when I asked what exactly you call the part I got the same vague suggestions I have been searching for weeks.

Gas burned, time wasted, and the deep feeling that I have run head first into another brick wall. Oh joy.

I had a bunch of annoyances today, starting with the only four hours of sleep I ended up getting (yes, again!) so maybe I’d be grumpy anyway. And I did myself no favors by going to buy milk while I was away, not because it wasn’t cheaper (It is! A full $1 less than my home town…no competition after all) but because it’s another place I interviewed for jobs I did get. I mean, grumpy me seeing people that did get the jobs I desperately needed was gonna feel like salt in my multitude of wounds.

But FFS! I just need a damn nut to get that plumbing fixed enough I can turn the water back on! And if I can turn the water back on at that house, I can turn the water off at the collapsing house while I do the urgent repairs there! And then I’ll be spared the constant worry that I am about to find myself without a source of water or usable bathroom!

Sigh

We live in the age of information where people can easily go online and learn how to do just about anything.  Because of this many people consider themselves a jack of all trades, particularly when it comes to home repairs. Yet as “handy” as many of us might like to believe ourselves to be, there are some things that we should leave to the experts.

Regardless of whether we can find tutorials online or receive advice from a friend, some repairs can pose serious safety risks and expensive damage if not carried out by a professional. Here are five repairs you should never attempt to do yourself.

Plumbing Repairs

While some minor plumbing issues like a leaky faucet or a clogged drain might be easily fixed yourself, complex plumbing repairs should always be left to professional plumbers. This is especially important for repairs involving the main water lines or sewer lines. An improper repair could lead to serious damage and Expensive repercussions.

Structural Repairs

When it comes to the foundation of your home you should always leave structural issues to professionals. Failing to repair the structural integrity of your home correctly could not only compromise the longevity of the construction, but you could put you and your family’s safety seriously at risk.

Roof Repairs

Climbing onto the roof and attempting to repair it yourself isn’t dangerous, it could be deadly. Without the proper training and professional equipment, you could take a serious fall, not to mention damage your roof even more. Roof repairs require significant training and a knowledge of the right techniques in order to ensure a proper ceiling to prevent further leaks.

Electrical Repairs

If you find yourself with an electrical issue, you might be tempted to go on YouTube and find a tutorial to fix it. However, electrical work can be particularly hazardous and complicated, and can lead to serious dangers. Live wires are one of the leading causes of death amongst DIY home repairs, which is why you always want to leave electrical repairs to a professional.

Gas Appliance Repairs

If you have gas appliances like furnaces, stoves or water heaters, you require a specialized professional who has the correct knowledge to repair safely. If you attempt to do it yourself, it could lead to a gas leak causing carbon monoxide poisoning, or even lead to an explosion.

Making repairs yourself instead of calling a professional can often be the more affordable route. However, it's important that you know which repairs are safe to DIY, and which ones are better left to the pros.