DIY or “do-it-yourself” has become a popular option for completing different household projects. This is not surprising since DIY can be both fun and educational.
However, not everything can be done using the DIY concept, and plumbing is one of them. Yet, many homeowners prefer to fix plumbing problems on their own rather than get the services of a professional plumber.
Why Is DIY Plumbing Popular ?
Here are common reasons why DIY quick plumbing repairs are popular.
1. Money-saver
You get charged by the hour when a plumber visits your home to fix a plumbing problem. On the day of the visit, you may need to take time off from work to meet your plumber and explain the details of the problem.
The arrangement is often not an attractive prospect for many homeowners. The alternative is DIY plumbing repairs which they can do on their off days, which saves them time and money.
2. Access Liability
The internet and social media have significantly changed how people do things at home and in the office. With plumbing, you can learn everything you need by just doing a quick online search. This has allowed people to feel more confident in completing tasks they know nothing about. This may seem great at first, but it can also cause problems, particularly in plumbing situations where knowledge and skills are essential to complete the job.
3. Self-challenge
People are usually curious and will often want to try new things. This is what drives many DIY plumbing projects. It’s the idea of trying something completely new and later discovering that you did a great job.
Reasons You Should Not Do DIY Plumbing
Here are some of the reasons plumbing work should be left to the professionals
1. DIY plumbing offers ineffective plumbing solutions.
Various social media platforms, particularly YouTube, have made it easy for anyone to become an expert in almost any field, including plumbing. This is one of the most common misconceptions because only skilled plumbers can effectively fix a plumbing problem, especially if this involves underground pipes.
2. DIY plumbing use only basic plumbing tools or equipment.
Plumbers normally use various tools when completing their job, including specialized equipment like basin wrenches and tongue-and-groove pliers. According to a plumber in Colorado Springs CO, while you can purchase the basic plumbing tools from your local hardware shop, the specialty models are not readily available. Many plumbers purchase these only from accredited supply stores. These warehouses sell only to licensed contractors and often offer tools of a higher quality than the ones available to the average layman.
3. DIY plumbing can’t diagnose the problem correctly.
A skilled plumber will first examine your plumbing system upon arriving at your home. Using their experience and knowledge, they can identify the problem in minutes and provide you with the best plumbing solution. This is something you can’t do with DIY plumbing. The best you could come up with is probably an intelligent guess on what the problem is.
4. DIY plumbing could make things worse.
While some plumbing issues are easy to resolve, others can become more complicated if not addressed correctly. It’s not uncommon to have a major plumbing problem if you DIY instead of calling a plumber.
5. DIY plumbing skips the training.
Plumbing fixes are not just about using the right tools. There are also plumbing pipes that you must consider, which come in various sizes and dimensions. Only a trained and experienced plumber can determine which solutions work best for your home.
6. DIY plumbing can lead to injuries.
While it may seem like easy work, plumbing is actually quite dangerous. Even veteran plumbers can suffer from an eye injury while working in tight spaces. This is why they are required to undergo plumbing safety training. This is not available to non-plumbers, so you take unnecessary risks by repairing your plumbing yourself.
7. DIY plumbing can damage other parts of your home.
DIY plumbing is often about quick fixes, but sometimes, this is not applicable. A good example is a leaking pipe. If you rush things and don’t follow the procedures, this could lead to more serious damage that can affect your kitchen and toilet plumbing. A worst-case scenario is water damage to your ceilings, walls, and other areas in the house.
Key Takeaway
Although DIY projects can be a popular option for homeowners with plumbing problems, they are often ineffective. Plumbing is a delicate job that requires assessment and planning, among other things, and only a professional plumber can do this.
Although it’s cheaper to fix a leaky pipe yourself, DIY plumbing can become a problem if you’re not careful. It’s still best to hire plumbers to complete the job. They usually have the knowledge and experience to diagnose any plumbing problem and offer sound advice on resolving it.