DYI Home Plumbing Project? Read These Pros and Cons First

Fed up hearing the dripping of a leaky faucet? Or wondering why the water isn’t draining down the kitchen sink correctly? If you’ve got a plumbing issue, it’s tempting to reach for the toolbox, grab a wrench, and set to with some DIY plumbing.

But before you rush off to grab your toolbox, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of DIY plumbing. Because, let’s face it, as much as you could pull apart a faucet or plunge a plughole, some things are best left to the professionals.

What Kind of Plumbing Can go Wrong?

You may not be able to see it, but within your home, a maze of pipes and drains keeps your water and waste system flowing smoothly. Freshwater, sewer, and drainage lines all have their place in ensuring household sanitation is of the highest quality.

Add in the plumbing systems you can see (toilets, faucets, baths, and showers), and there’s a lot that could go wrong if not properly maintained.

Simple DIY Plumbing Maintenance Checks

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The best way to avoid plumbing mishaps is to carry out regular maintenance like:

• Clearing hair and food out of drains
• Checking for leaks
• Preventing limescale build-up
• Ensuring there’s no rust on your water heater
• Checking the caulking around sinks, tubs, and shower doors
• Removing debris from downspouts and gutters

When to Call a Professional

For most homeowners, fixing simple plumbing issues is fairly straightforward. But if you aren’t sure of the root cause or don’t have the technical know-how, it’s time to call in the experts.

A professional plumber has the training, tools, and experience to diagnose and repair issues quickly. Paying out for professional help will save you time and money in the long run.

The Pros of DIY Plumbing

Want to tackle plumbing issues yourself? If you have some plumbing knowledge, doing your own maintenance and repairs brings several benefits.

Kinder on Your Bank Balance

Professional plumbers come with a price tag – you don’t get their expertise and knowledge for free. Not only do you pay for their repairs, but you also pay for their time.

By doing your own plumbing work, you’ll only pay for parts (unless you treat yourself to giving up your time!).

Learn New Skills

Plumbing is a complex job. So before starting, we recommend you read up on techniques and tools. But, of course, the benefit of this is learning knowledge and skills you didn’t have before.

You’ll be more independent and less reliant on plumbing companies. Who knows, you may even decide to retrain as a professional plumber yourself!

Gain a Sense of Pride

You know the feeling. You achieve something new, stand back to look at your handiwork, and feel your chest swell with pride. Nothing beats that feeling of knowing you’ve fixed something yourself. So next time you carry out some DIY plumbing, remember to sit back and enjoy that sense of accomplishment.

The Cons of DIY Plumbing

It’s not all plain sailing. Even the most accomplished DIY-ers sometimes get it wrong. And when plumbing goes wrong, it can be disastrous.

Expensive Mistakes

Needless to say, when DIY plumbing goes wrong, it’s not a pretty picture. Most complications happen by misunderstanding the original problem and repairing the wrong thing. Even worse, using the wrong tools could also cause injury to yourself.

And let’s not forget the potential for property damage – a small mistake while fixing a leaky pipe can quickly turn into a flooded home, which is a costly error to fix.

To make matters worse, if you haven’t followed the correct building code regs or have the right license, you could be in trouble with the law.

While DIY plumbing can be tempting, it’s essential to weigh the potential risks and expenses before diving in.

DIY Plumbing Takes Time

Carrying out plumbing repairs takes twice as long when you aren’t sure what you’re doing. For example, it’s not easy trying to fix a faucet while constantly checking your phone (or manual) to see if you’re getting it right.

Trips to the DIY store for suitable materials also eat into your time. Do you really want to spend your hard-earned leisure time with your head under the sink or your hand down a drain?

Better to be Safe Than Sorry

We aren’t saying you should never tackle DIY plumbing in your home. But our professional plumbers at Adeedo have seen their fair share of plumbing DIY mishaps.

The simple truth is, if you aren’t sure how to tackle a job, always call a professional. It’ll save you time, money, and stress in the long run.

Ready to ditch the plumbing DIY? Contact Adeedo today for all your plumbing needs.