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In an attempt to save money, many homeowners attempt to tackle plumbing issues themselves, rather than call a plumber. While this may work for simple problems such as clogs and drippy drains, sometimes neglecting to call the plumber leads to more expensive repairs down the road, and you would have been better off just making that phone call at the first sign of damage. Here's a look at four plumbing problems that you really should call a plumber about immediately, rather than attempt to tackle by yourself.

Low Water Pressure in One Faucet

If the water pressure is low throughout your whole home, chances are this is due to a problem with the municipal water supply, rather than your own plumbing. When the water pressure is only low in one faucet, however, the problem is often caused by mineral deposits in one of your pipes. Take apart the faucet itself, and clean it out. If this does not fix the problem, call a plumber. He or she will be able to determine which pipe is clogged and replace it.

Leaky Main Pipes

You can probably fix a leaky faucet yourself, provided you have some basic tools and a little know-how. However, if one of the main pipes in your basement or running along a wall starts leaking, you need to put down the tools and call the experts. Attempting this repair yourself could lead to a lot of flooding, and your homeowner's insurance may  not pay for damages caused by you tinkering with your pipes.

Leaky Sewer Lines

If you smell sewage in your basement or elsewhere in the home, even if you can't visually spot a leak in your sewer pipe, step back and call a plumber. You don't likely have the proper equipment to protect yourself from sewage, and if you accidentally make the problem worse, you could contaminate your whole home with dangerous bacteria.

Relentless Clogs

You can attempt to dislodge a clog with a plunger, and perhaps even use a wire pipe snake to try and fetch an item or glob of hair that's clogging your drain. If your clog does not budge or keeps coming back, however, it's time to call in a professional. Dumping endless bottles of clog busting chemicals down the drain is likely to do more harm than good, since these products are known to erode and damage pipes when used heavily.

In order to keep your home clean and safe, it's important to know when to call a plumber. In addition to being dangerous, making certain repairs may be against building codes in your area. By calling a plumber, you ensure the job is done right the first time, so you can get on with your life and stop worrying about drips, leaks and clogs. Keep the number of a company like Biard & Crockett Plumbing handy so you can call them when you have a plumbing emergency.