Should You Call A Plumber Or Do-It-Yourself?

Homeowners can save a nice chunk of change if they avoid calling a professional plumber and handle the dirty work themselves. However, an unsuccessful DIY attempt can not only lead to disaster, but can end up costing more than it would have to just call out in the first place. Before you pull up your sleeves and start wielding your trusty plunger, it's important to understand what the problem is and whether or not you have the knowledge and tools required to fix it. If you can't handle it, you'll be glad you've spent the money on professional work that you can trust.

Unless you have a big emergency such as flooding, you likely have the luxury of a little bit of time when addressing problems. And as long as it isn't an emergency, make the effort to properly diagnose the potential issue. The Internet is a great resource for information and DIY guides, but some advice can be vague or deceitful, which is why you need to double-check all of your sources. Websites run by professional companies are good places to seek some information. A plumber forum may also yield some good advice from the posters, especially regarding specific makes of fixtures.

If you think you know what the problem is, you'll want to take a look at your toolbox. Most people don't have the same tools that a professional plumber uses because these can be quite specific and expensive. If you are missing a crucial tool, you should think carefully before purchase. It may be less expensive to have a plumber take a look at it for you than investing in something that you may only use once. Certain tools, however, are highly useful and budget friendly such as a plunger, liquid drain dissolver, and adjustable wrench. Don't rush out and buy pipe cutters, drain augers, pipe wrenches just yet though. Most of these tools are only required for advanced work anyways.

How much dismantling is necessary? Unclogging a drain or adjusting a water heater setting is pretty straightforward, but when the job calls for taking apart half of a sink or toilet, you may have gotten in over your head. People also don't realize just how difficult it can be to loosen and remove the different components. You need a lot of strength, especially in older homes where parts may have completely rusted shut. There is a greater risk of damage when working with older equipment as well.

If you're dying to test out your skills or simply can't justify spending money to hire the pros, ask yourself this - how long can you live without this fixture? There's nothing wrong with experimenting, but if you completely destroy the only toilet in your home and the new repair estimate has tripled, you're in deep trouble. Save your handyman routine for a second bathroom, outdoor faucet, or a tub (when there's also a separate shower). That way, even if you do fudge something up you won't be pressed for a quick solution.