Plumbing - Pros and Cons of Doing it Yourself

The Do-It-Yourself trend continues to gain popularity among homeowners, as more and more people attempt to save money by doing their own home improvements and repairs. However, when it comes to complicated systems, like your sewer and water systems, you may want to think twice before attempting to do it on your own. Before you roll up your sleeves and attempt that next plumbing project in your home, stop to think about what you are doing. While there are some definite pros to doing these projects on your own, there are also some cons. You must carefully weigh each to make the right decision for your family.

On the positive side, many plumbing repairs, like repairing a clogged drain or replacing a leaky faucet, are not incredibly complicated. Most who can read simple instructions can complete these tasks. Doing them on their own eliminates the expense of calling in a professional plumber. In most of these situations, mistakes, if they are made, are not going to be costly to fix. Sure, if you break the new faucet while you are installing it, you might need to go buy another one, but you are not likely to flood your entire house.

On the negative side, most larger repairs are somewhat dangerous. While the competent do-it-yourselfer probably can handle the task of fixing a pipe leak, the problem lies in the fact that there is the potential for disaster if the job is not done properly. And, if you have to call in a plumber after messing something up or creating an emergency situation, you are going to pay even more for the services.

Also, if you attempt to alter the plumbing system in your home, you need a permit. If you do this on your own without the proper permit and training, you risk voiding your homeowners insurance and breaking building code laws in your area. I nthis situation, doing it on your own is not only potentially physically dangerous, but also financially so.

The fact is, the average homeowner should have some basic plumbing knowledge to use when replacing fixtures or unclogging toilets or drains. While a plumber can handle these tasks, the expense is simply unnecessary for most individuals. However, whenever anything major happens to your home’s sewer and water systems, trying to fix the problem on your own could end up being a costly mistake. In these situations, it makes far more sense to hire a professional from the beginning, saving hassle and frustration for everyone throughout the process.