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Unexpected repairs at your home or business always seem to pop up at the most inopportune time. It's up to you to do everything you can to limit the amount of repair work you need done.

When you have a serious plumbing issue, ignoring it isn't an option. Unfortunately, plumbing repair costs can add up over time.

Even if you've set aside money for unexpected repairs, a major issue can wipe out your savings in the blink of an eye. It turns out, though, that plumbing is an area where you can take measures to reduce the amount you spend on repairs.

If we have your attention, keep reading. We're going over some ways to cut down plumbing repair costs.

Prepare for Plumbing Repair

The more time a plumber has to spend on your issue, the more you'll end up paying.

Many times, a plumber will have to do other things in addition to the actual plumbing work. To help keep repair costs down, do a little preparation so they only have to focus on what you called them about.

This may involve things like ripping out drywall and providing easy access to the source of the issue. Don't make your plumber spend time moving your possessions out of the way in order to perform the work.

If you've experienced a flood, make sure you clear out the excess water yourself. You could even help by providing lighting if the problem area is in a dark space.

Don't Ignore Plumbing Problems

It's easy to ignore a dripping faucet or leaking pipe that's not causing any inconvenience at the time. Unfortunately, this can backfire.

Even if a plumbing issue seems minor, you need to address it right away. Ignoring it could result in a costly headache down the road.

Instead, have any minor problems fixed immediately. An experienced plumber will most likely be able to fix it quickly and affordably.

You'll also cut down on the chance of having to pay for emergency service when your minor drip becomes a messy flood.

Know How to Shut off Your Water

Limiting the amount of damage caused by a plumbing mishap is a great way to cut down on costs. Therefore, it's important to understand how to shut off your water when disaster strikes.

Knowing how to shut off your water will also help reduce the risk of other areas of your property sustaining water damage.

Each individual plumbing component, such as a toilet or sink, has its own shutoff valve. These are located behind the toilet or under the sink. Simply turning these valves all the way to the right will shut the water off.

You should also locate where the main water shutoff for your home is. In the case of a major flood, cutting the water supply to your home could significantly lower repair costs.

Take Preventative Measures

There are some easy preventative steps you should get in the habit of implementing. These will help cut down on the chance of costly repairs.

Make sure you're not flushing inappropriate objects down the drain. This could mean anything from personal hygiene products to baby wipes. These items may cause clogs you can't fix yourself.

You should also avoid pouring cooking grease down the drain. This may eventually lead to a major backup.

Invest in mesh screens that prevent hair from going down the shower drain. These are very inexpensive and will help you avoid an unneeded visit from a plumber.

Incorporating these preventative measures into your normal routine is extremely easy and will cut down repair costs in the long run.

Don't Let Pipes Freeze

As you gear up for colder temperatures, keep in mind that when pipes freeze, they burst. This not only means a huge mess, it means the added cost to redo plumbing.

When water freezes, it expands due to the transformation molecules go through. When this happens to the water in your plumbing, the pipes eventually crack and break.

An easy way to avoid this is by insulating all exposed pipes in your home or office. If your pipes aren't insulated, make sure and open the cabinet doors under your sinks so warm air can reach the plumbing.

It's also a good idea to let all the faucets in your home drip slightly when you have a big freeze. If you have to be away from your home for an extended period of time, make sure you also set the heat to run periodically.

Look for Guarantees

Even after taking all the preventative measures possible, plumbing issues are still inevitable, as are plumbing repair costs.

When looking for quality service, keep your eyes open for companies that offer guarantees on their work. This ensures you're covered if the plumber has to come out again for the same issue. Guarantees are also a sign that a company stands by the quality of their work.

You should also keep your eye out for deals provided to new customers. Just keep in mind that some plumbers try to attract business with extremely low prices but end up performing subpar work.

Make sure you read customer reviews to confirm the company is legit.

DIY if Possible

The best way to reduce the cost of plumbing repairs is to perform the work yourself.

Now, this is usually only an option when dealing with something minor like a clogged drain or minor drip. If you feel like you're in over your head, it's best to call a professional.

If you're ready to try your hand at DIY plumbing, there are countless resources online that can talk you through the process. You should also consider looking on YouTube for videos of people performing simple fixes.

Just remember not to tackle something that's beyond your understanding. You may end up causing more harm than good.

Keep Plumbing Repair Costs Down

Major plumbing issues can easily break the bank, but they don't always have to. Keep the tips we discussed in mind the next time you hire a plumber.

You should also stay on top of all preventative measures in order to keep plumbing repair costs as low as possible.

We provide a wide range of plumbing services for home and business owners. Contact us today for help.