The Pros And Cons Of DIY Plumbing | HELP Plumbing
05/01/23
When something goes wrong with your plumbing, you have two choices – tackle the problem yourself, or call in a professional. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY-er or have no clue which end of a wrench to use, plumbing issues can be tricky to fix. Is it freshwater or waste? A leaking joint or a burst pipe?
We’ve put together our top tips to help you decide whether it’s worth grabbing your toolkit or your phone when your plumbing goes awry.
What Can Go Wrong With Your Plumbing?
The most common plumbing problems likely to happen in your home are leaks and clogs. The main culprits for leaks are generally pipe corrosion, faulty faucets, and broken pipes. Whereas clogs occur when foreign objects get stuck in the pipes, such as grease buildup or debris from tree roots.
The best DIY plumbing you can do on your home is maintenance. Prevention is better than cure! By carrying out some simple tasks on a regular basis, you’ll help keep your plumbing in good order.
- Keep drains clear from debris, including outside drains and gutters
- Check all visible pipes for leaks and corrosion
- Make sure your water heater is maintained and check for rust
- Check the seals around sinks and showers
- Ensure your toilet is in good working order
Call in the Professionals
If your plumbing still goes wrong despite all your best maintenance efforts, it could be time to call in a professional. Leaks and bursts can cause significant damage to your home.
Professional plumbers have the training and tools to fix plumbing issues quickly and safely. Save yourself the hassle and stress and let the experts do the work.
The Pros of Doing DIY Plumbing
Professional plumbers charge for their materials, skills, and time, which can be expensive. With all the instructional videos on YouTube, there are some pros to carrying out the work yourself.
Cash in the Bank
Want to save money? Tackling the minor plumbing work yourself will help you do just that.
You don’t need a degree in piping systems to stop a dripping faucet or clear a small drain clog. Instead, search for the best advice online, then visit your local DIY store for the materials. You’ll save yourself money as you won’t need to pay professional fees.
Learn New Skills and Develop Your Expertise
Plumbing processes are often technical, so you’ll need to learn how to carry out certain aspects of each job. And, of course, make sure you have the right tools. But once you’ve completed your research, you’ll be learning on the job, mastering the art of basic plumbing.
Gain a Sense of Achievement
Is there any better feeling than standing back and admiring your DIY plumbing handiwork? Sure, plumbing can be a little intimidating if you’ve never done it before. But once you get the hang of it, it’s one of the more rewarding DIY projects.
So what are you waiting for? Create your work plan and give some DIY plumbing a go!
The Cons of Doing DIY Plumbing
Here’s the deal. We’ve all heard stories about people who did DIY plumbing repairs only for things to go spectacularly wrong when they turned on the water again. So let’s check out the cons and when to call in the professionals.
It Could End Up Costing More
One of the biggest disadvantages of DIY plumbing is that you could make costly mistakes if you don’t know what you’re doing. This could happen in several ways:
- Not using the right tools
- Carrying out the wrong repairs
- Fixing one plumbing issue without realizing there’s a bigger problem behind the scenes.
Take a good look at the repairs needed and ask yourself if you’re seeing the whole picture. If in doubt, call a professional plumber.
It Eats Into Your Free Time
Home improvement shows make it look simple. Use the right tool and a little elbow grease to fix leaky faucets or plumbing problems, and you’ll have it fixed in a jiffy.
But there are a few things they don’t show you.
It’s not just that you have to know what you’re doing and have the right tools, but it can also take A LOT of time. Wouldn’t you rather spend this time doing something else? Like enjoying a walk, watching your favorite box set, or chilling out in the garden?
The Professionals Know Best
Professional plumbers have access to specialized tools that aren’t available for sale to the public. What’s more, they have the knowledge and skills to use them correctly.
HELP provides comprehensive plumbing services – from fixing leaky pipes to hot water heater installations.
Contact us today and say goodbye to DIY plumbing hassle and stress.
Posted in: Plumbing
