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Why Trying DIY Water Heater Repair Is A Terrible Idea | Portland, OR

Why-Trying-DIY-Water-Heater-Repair-Is-A-Terrible-Idea-_-Portland,-OR

The importance of your home’s water heater cannot be overstated. You probably do not think about it, but it is the reason you can confidently go for a shower at any time of the day or night, knowing that you will find hot water. However, like any other appliance, your water heater can break down, and given its importance in your Portland, OR house, it can end up causing serious inconveniences. A malfunctioning water heater can also put your family in danger. Therefore, in most cases, water heater problems have to be addressed urgently. But no matter how quickly you want your water heater fixed or how much you enjoy working around your house, trying a DIY water heater repair is an extremely terrible idea unless you are a professional plumber. Even if the water heater issue at hand seems simple, it is always wise for you to seek the attention of a professional plumbing service. Below is a rundown of reasons you should never consider trying DIY water heater maintenance or repair.

You Could Hurt Yourself

Water heater repair involves significant risk of personal injuries. For instance, it might involve dealing with hot water at extremely high temperatures, which is quite dangerous. Besides, handling the electrical components on your water heater could also expose you to the risk of electrical shocks and even electrocution. The good news is that by hiring a professional water heater repair service, you can effectively pass this risk to someone else. In any case, plumbing companies have their plumbers insured, and therefore, even if a plumber gets hurt while working on your water heater, it will not be your responsibility to cater for their medical bill since their insurance will handle it.

You Could Put Your House in Danger

If your water heater is powered by natural gas, DIY water heater repairs could lead to a fire disaster that might lead to big losses. For instance, if you tamper with gas lines, you can cause gas leaks. If this issue is not fixed immediately, it can lead to an explosion that might cause significant property damages. In a nutshell, unless you’re a professional plumber, trying to repair your water heater on your own might end up damaging your home. To prevent such an eventuality, you need to ensure that all water heater repairs in your home are done by a qualified plumber. Plumbers have the necessary skills, tools, and experience to ensure that the job is done correctly and in a way that does not put your home in danger.

You Could Damage Your Water Heater

Every successful water heater repair job begins with a correct diagnosis. Without the necessary skills and diagnostic kit, it will be impossible for you to diagnose the underlying cause of most water heater problems. Unfortunately, if you get a diagnosis wrong, anything you do after that will be wrong. To make the matter worse, you might end up tampering with parts that have no problems. As such, in addition to failing to fix the issue at hand, you might end up causing more water heater problems. To prevent such an eventuality, it is imperative for you to avoid DIY water heater maintenance and repairs and instead call a professional plumber when you have any water heater issues in your Portland, OR house.

You Could Void the Warranty

Water heaters are quite pricey appliances, and it is not surprising that they come with warranties. Therefore, if your water heater is relatively new, it probably has a valid warranty. However, the warranty is not without conditions. For instance, the warranty for your water heater might require that all your water heater maintenance and repairs be done by a professional plumber. Therefore, unless you are a professional plumber, trying a DIY repair will end up voiding your warranty. For you to keep your water heater’s warranty valid, it is imperative for you to ensure that all your water heater problems are addressed by a professional plumber such as Pilot Plumbing.

You Could Breach the Terms of Your Home Insurance

Your home insurance is meant to protect you against financial losses you might have to endure due to expensive home repairs. However, it is important to know that home insurance policies require you to be responsible and do everything you can to prevent property damages. For instance, your policy might demand that all appliances that can potentially put your home at risk be serviced and repaired by licensed professionals. Your water heater is powered by gas, and therefore, it is one of the appliances that can endanger your house if it malfunctions. As such, unless you are a professional plumber, trying DIY water heater repair will make it difficult for you to successfully get compensated by your home insurance should your water heater cause significant damages to your home in the near future. Therefore, for you to stick to the terms of your home insurance, you need to ensure that all your water heater maintenance and repair jobs are done by a licensed plumbing service.

The Bottom Line

Overall, it is apparent that given the value, importance, complexity, and sensitivity of your water heater, you should never consider repairing it on your own, no matter much you enjoy DIY projects. This is because DIY plumbing jobs are quite dangerous, and they can potentially damage your house and even cause physical injuries. Furthermore, unless you are a professional water heater repair expert, trying DIY water heater maintenance and repairs could cause you to lose your warranty and make it difficult for you to benefit from your home insurance. To prevent such issues, it is imperative for you to ensure that all your water heater repair jobs are done by a professional plumber. If you are looking for a reliable plumber providing water heater maintenance and repair services in Portland, OR, Pilot Plumbing & Drain is an excellent choice. Feel free to contact us today for more information about our company and the services.

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