Yesterday, I tried tightening what looked like a simple leak under my kitchen sink. Ten minutes later, the “small leak” turned into a steady drip, and I ended up shutting off the main valve for the whole evening.
It got me thinking, at what point do you stop trying to fix things yourself and just call someone in?
A
plumber in San Francisco once told me that most of his calls start exactly like this: someone tries to save time with a wrench or a bit of tape, but the real issue ends up being hidden corrosion or a failing joint. His advice was to handle visible leaks or clogs right away, but avoid DIYing anything connected to the main supply or drain lines.
For those who’ve lived in older SF homes or apartments, how do you handle small plumbing problems? Do you call right away or try to troubleshoot a bit first?
Would love to hear your experiences (and maybe learn what not to do next time).
How do you decide when a plumbing issue needs a professional?
