DIY vs Professional Plumbing: When to Call in the Experts.

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DIY vs Professional Plumbing: When to Call in the Experts. 

Leaky sinks or sounds of running water got you wondering whether to tackle a plumbing issue yourself or call a professional? Learn the pros and cons of DIY plumbing, the risks of going at it alone, and when it’s time to call a professional. 

Introduction

Gone are the days when solving a household issue meant heading to the library and thumbing through a “For Dummies” book. Now, with the rise of online resources like YouTube tutorials and how-to blogs, DIY projects have become both a hobby and a lifeline for many homeowners. 

While these DIY tutorials provide simple instructions and plans of action, they lack experience and expertise. Especially when it comes to home plumbing issues. Even a small leak in the faucet or a slow drain can quickly lead to a major problem if unaddressed or unseen. Wasting gallons of water over time can lead to higher water bills and potentially rust or rot build-up within the home. 

So, when is a home plumbing problem fixable yourself, and when should you set your pride aside and call a professional? Luckily, this article will answer this exact question and guide homeowners on when to take action themselves and when to call a professional.

DIY Plumbing and You

The rise in homeowners’ confidence with DIY tasks refers to the feeling of being more capable and empowered to tackle various projects and tasks around the home. This confidence has grown from the increased access to information, tutorials, and the sense of accomplishment that one gets from completing a project all by themselves. DIY plumbing repair has quickly become one of the most searched DIY phrases online due to the money-saving benefits of DIY solutions and the potential severity of leaving plumbing problems unsolved. 

You may have just identified a leaky faucet, a drain that needs unclogging, or that the water pressure in your shower can be improved just by replacing the showerhead. You’ve looked up the basic plumbing fixes, got the plumbing tools for beginners, and promised yourself you’d get it right on the first try. But before starting on your DIY plumbing journey, you should look at the pros and the cons of the situation at hand. 

Pros of DIY Plumbing:

• Saving money.

• Creating a sense of accomplishment.

• Learning new homeowning skills. 

• Saving time by setting your own repair schedule. 

Cons of DIY plumbing: 

• Potential for increasing the damage. 

• Missing hidden damages. 

• Incorrect diagnosis. 

• Potential water and electrical hazards.

• Potential exposure to toxic chemicals. 

• Potential gas leaks. 

• And potential financial sink holes. 

After assessing the situation, plumbing needs, considering the pros and cons, and evaluating your decisions. You may be ready to start your DIY project, or forgo some pride and call a professional to get the job done right. 

Do It Yourself Gone Wrong. 

It’s a familiar story. You see a small problem in the pipes or a small leak and think to yourself, “I can fix this, I don’t need to call a plumber for this.” Well, you and I aren’t the first people to make this mistake, and we certainly won’t be the last. If anything, there is some comfort in knowing you aren’t alone in this feeling. Some of the most common DIY plumbing mistakes are more common than you would think. 

Maybe you mismatched your pipes, installed a water heater incorrectly, bought the wrong size toilet seat, overused chemical drain cleaners, or used the wrong slope on a drainline. All of these are common plumbing mistakes, but they also lead to common plumbing disasters. Water damage from plumbing can lead to mold, flooding, bugs, and financial headaches. 

Take John, for example, he heard a few too many drops of water coming from his kitchen and discovered a steady drip from his kitchen faucet. After doing a few minutes of research online and finding a few tutorials, he felt confident enough to take on this problem head-on. To his surprise, he seemed to have fixed it! The leak had stopped altogether, and his problem was solved. Or so he thought. 

What John didn’t realize was that the leak was merely a symptom of a cracked pipe below the sink. Over time, water continued to seep into the cabinet and floor of his kitchen. Months after the original problem was seemingly solved, he noticed the smell of mold, discovered wood rot, and ended up having to cover thousands in structural damages. A professional plumber could’ve diagnosed the root cause early and helped John avoid structural damage and thousands in repairs. 

When to Call a Professional Plumber

Sometimes, plumbing problems go beyond what a wrench and a YouTube tutorial can handle. While DIY has its place, some situations demand the expertise and tools of a licensed plumber. Here are clear signs it’s time to call a plumber and hire a professional plumbing service:

• Low water pressure throughout your home - May indicate hidden leaks or pipe corrosion.

• Persistent clogs or slow drains - Could signal a deeper blockage in the sewer line. 

• No hot water or inconsistent water temperature  - Often points to water heater issues. 

• Burst or frozen pipes - Requires immediate attention to prevent flooding.  

• Visible water stains or mold growth - Indicates hidden leaks behind walls.  

• Backed up sewage or foul smells - Potential health hazards that demand immediate attention.  

Hiring a licensed plumber isn’t just about fixing these emergency plumbing problems; it's also about protecting your home and wallet in the long term. Hiring a professional plumber has many benefits that potential DIY plumbers need to consider. They can quickly diagnose the root cause of issues, handle plumbing problems safely, meet local building codes for insurance and resale purposes, save you money in the long term, and provide warrantied work. 

Conclusion

Taking on minor plumbing issues yourself through DIY plumbing projects can be a smart and money-saving move. However, when the problem seems beyond the skill set provided by blogs and YouTube tutorials, it’s worth calling in a professional plumber. The risks of getting it wrong often outweigh the costs of expertise. 

Whether it’s a slow drain or a sudden pipe bust, knowing when a situation is out of your hands and when to trust a licensed professional plumber can save you time, stress, and serious repair bills. Don’t let a small leak become a big problem. When in doubt, hire a professional.