In this article…
- What Are The Benefits Of A DIY Plumbing Repair? 4 Pros
- What Are The Potential Drawbacks Of A DIY Plumbing Repair? 6 Cons
- When to Call a Professional Plumber And Not Do It Yourself
- Is A DIY Plumbing Repair The Right Options For Me?
Let’s be honest – plumbing problems always seem to happen at the worst times. Whether it’s a dripping faucet during your binge-watching session or a clogged drain right before guests arrive, the question always pops up: Should I try to fix this myself or call a pro?
If you love a good DIY challenge, it’s tempting to grab a wrench, open up YouTube, and dive into whatever you think the problem is. But before you get elbow-deep in pipes, it’s important to know what you’re getting into.
Even for the most handy people, some plumbing problems should be left to the professionals.
Jim’s Plumbing Now has been here for all your expert plumbing needs in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas. Our team of experienced, licensed, and journeyman plumbers educate you on exactly what’s causing your plumbing backup and what the best solution is for you.
When it comes to a DIY plumbing repair, sometimes it’s recommended and is the best solution to the problem. However other times, it’s essential to know when you should hire a professional.
This article will break down the pros and cons of DIY plumbing repairs to help you decide whether it’s worth the effort and understand potential risks along with when to go with the pros.
Before continuing with any DIY plumbing repair, it’s crucial you know where your shut-off valve is to your home’s water supply and how to properly turn it off. This is necessary to avoid potential flooding and further damage to your home.
What Are The Benefits Of A DIY Plumbing Repair? 4 Pros
Taking the DIY route isn’t always a bad idea. in fact, sometimes repairing your plumbing yourself may be the best option, depending on the type of repair needed.
If your toilet is running for no reason, you have a leaky faucet or any other minor plumbing issue, there are several benefits to performing the repair yourself.
Let’s look at four benefits of a DIY plumbing repair so you can better understand if this is the right option for you.
1. It’s More Affordable Than Hiring a Professional Plumber
When it comes to any home repair, saving money is a big motivator. Professional plumbing services can be expensive – we understand.
With the right tools and excellent online resources, you might be able to fix minor issues yourself for a fraction of the cost. You can find almost any plumbing part or tool at a big box hardware store, like Home Depot or Lowe’s.
While saving money is important, it’s also crucial to remember that cost and quality have a direct relationship. The quality of parts and tools may turn out to be a negative in the future (which we’ll get into later in this article).
2. You Can Work on Your Own Time
Sometimes you just don’t want to wait for help—especially when it’s a minor problem like a dripping faucet. Scheduling a plumber can sometimes mean waiting for an appointment, especially during busy seasons.
With a DIY repair, you can get to work immediately and on your own schedule with no waiting and no hassle.
Tackling small repairs yourself can save time, reduce stress, and give you the satisfaction of a job well done.
3. No Stress of Finding a Professional Plumber
Hunting down the right plumber can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. You have to do extensive research, look at online reviews, and put in the energy and effort to schedule a service call and plan your project with a plumber.
DIY repairs eliminate the need to research, call, and coordinate with a professional and provide quicker results.
4. A Good Learning Experience
Whether you rent from a landlord or own your home, having handy experience around the house is an important skill. For those determined, sometimes getting the job done yourself is just what you need.
Taking on a plumbing repair can be a great way to learn about your home’s plumbing systems (as long as the repair is small). Successfully fixing a leaky faucet or unclogging a drain can boost your confidence and add to your home maintenance toolkit.
What Are The Potential Drawbacks Of A DIY Plumbing Repair? 6 Cons
While DIY plumbing can have its perks, there are some major risks you must consider.
Here are six potential drawbacks of performing a plumbing repair yourself.
1. Risk of Causing More Damage
Plumbing systems are tricky, and a small mistake can turn a quick fix into a major disaster. A minor leak can escalate to water damage, or an improper repair could cause a burst pipe.
This is the biggest risk when taking on a DIY plumbing repair. If you have any hesitations or doubt that you can confidently get the job repair done correctly, it’s best to call a professional plumber.
2. Lack of Professional Expertise, Proper Diagnosis, and Local Code Compliance
Licensed plumbers bring years of experience and training to the table. A DIY fix might not get to the root of the issue, and you could miss underlying problems like hidden leaks or water pressure issues, and a DIY repair will only band-aid the real problem.
Professional plumbers also know how to properly diagnose any plumbing problem. What you think is a minor clog could be a symptom of something more serious, like a sewer line issue or pipe corrosion.
Additionally, plumbing work often needs to meet local codes and regulations. If your DIY repair doesn’t comply, you might face issues when selling your home or filing insurance claims.
3. Lack of Access To the Right Tools or Equipment
Plumbers use specialized tools that most homeowners don’t have lying around, such as fiberoptic cameras to detect leaks, pressure gauges, and more.
Without the proper equipment, you could end up with a temporary fix that doesn’t last and create costly problems in the future.
4. No Warranty or Risk of Voiding an Existing Warranty
Professional plumbers often guarantee their work with a labor warranty on top of the product’s warranty, giving you peace of mind. DIY repairs don’t offer that same protection, meaning if your repair fails, you are left to pay for the damages.
What’s worse is that with a DIY repair, you could accidentally void a manufacturer’s warranty on appliances or fixtures in the process.
5. Time-Consuming and Frustrating
While you don’t have to deal with the effort of finding the right professional plumber, a DIY repair can actually turn out to be more stressful.
What starts as a simple fix can quickly spiral into hours of stress if things don’t go according to plan. DIY plumbing repairs can take far more time than you expect, especially if you’re unsure of what you’re doing.
6. Safety Risks
Plumbing repairs can be risky, especially when gas lines, water heaters, or pressurized pipes are involved.
If you don’t have the proper knowledge to take the right steps for repair, you could put your safety and your home at risk.
Only repair small plumbing issues that are surface-level to avoid putting yourself in danger and damaging your home’s plumbing system.
When to Call a Professional Plumber And Not Do It Yourself
DIY repairs can work for minor fixes, but it’s important to know when to call in the pros.
If you’re dealing with any of these issues, it’s time to leave it to a licensed plumber:
- Recurring or major leaks
- Low water pressure
- Sewer line backups
- Water heater repairs or installations
- Under-slab plumbing issues
- Gas line repairs
A licensed plumber is necessary when large plumbing problems occur. If you’ve noticed something off with your plumbing and can’t find the source of the issue, it may lie below your foundation and require a professional diagnosis.
Is A DIY Plumbing Repair The Right Option For Me?
Now that you know the major benefits of performing plumbing repairs yourself and some of the potential drawbacks that come with a DIY job, you have a better understanding of whether your plumbing issue can be resolved on your own or requires the help of a professional.
DIY plumbing repairs can save time and money, but they come with risks. Knowing your limits and understanding when to call a professional can prevent costly mistakes and ensure your plumbing system is fixed the right way.
Repairing your plumbing yourself is more cost-effective and convenient as you can finish the job on your own time without waiting at the hands of someone else’s schedule.
However, a DIY plumbing repair can also be risky as you do not have the same experience, tools, and knowledge as a licensed plumber.
Performing plumbing repairs yourself can leave you with irreversible damage to your plumbing system, voiding current warranties, and putting your safety at risk. This is why knowing when to call a licensed, professional plumbing company is essential to protect your plumbing and keep things flowing smoothly.
At Jim’s Plumbing Now, we’re here to help all homeowners in Dallas and the Fort Worth area with expert, reliable plumbing services through education.
We’re here to help guide you through your plumbing problems to help you find the best solution for you, whether that’s hiring a professional or repairing it yourself.
If you’ve noticed something is wrong with your plumbing, it’s important to act fast and get to the root of the issue. We understand it can be easy to brush it off until the weekend or the following week, but any plumbing issue must be resolved quickly.
To help you better understand the importance of fast plumbing repair, check out this article that outlines three reasons why putting off your plumbing project actually costs you more in the long run.
Looking for the right DFW plumber? Schedule your appointment with Jim’s Plumbing Now today!
