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It’s possible to snake minor drain clogs yourself, provided they sit within a foot or two of the drain itself, but it’s usually best to hire a professional plumber regardless. Even experienced DIYers have a high chance of accidentally pushing the clog further into the drain using a drain snake or another tool, so hiring a plumber is the ideal course of action. A professional plumber can use camera equipment to locate and identify the clog, and remove the entire blockage to fix your issue permanently.

Start by inspecting visible pipes for signs of corrosion, moisture, or discoloration, which can indicate a leak. You should also listen for sounds like hissing or dripping, which may point you toward a leak. Moisture meters and infrared cameras can also help you identify areas of increased moisture around your home, which can also signify a leak.

There are three main types of shower valves: pressure-balancing, thermostatic, and diverter. Pressure-balancing and thermostatic valves are both considered mixing valves because they regulate water flow and temperature, but they do so in different ways. A pressure-balancing valve senses changes in water pressure, such as from a flushing toilet, and adjusts the incoming hot and cold water to maintain a consistent temperature; these typically use a single knob. A thermostatic valve uses a thermostat to precisely control the water temperature and requires a separate control to adjust the water volume. A diverter valve directs the flow of water from one fixture to another, such as switching from a tub faucet to a showerhead in a tub-shower combination.

Plumbing leaks are usually not covered by homeowners insurance because the problems are avoidable with proper maintenance. In most cases, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for a fix. However, if the leak is a direct result of a natural disaster, like an earthquake that cracked a pipe or a house fire, your insurance may cover the repairs.