Nobody likes relying on someone else to fix something around the house. When you encounter a plumbing problem – be it a leaky tap or a running toilet – you think a quick fix is in order. You’ve certainly watched enough YouTube videos explaining what to do, so you give it a go and assume that everything is okay.
Granted, you might get lucky and actually fix the problem, but most DIY plumbing fixes never work. You’re far better off bringing in the professionals whenever you have a plumbing issue. Tackling it alone won’t always provide the right result and could cause more harm than good.
Why should you shy away from these DIY fixes? Here’s what tends to go wrong 90% of the time:
You Never Solve The Real Issue
Let’s say you fix a leaky tap. Have you actually fixed the real issue behind the leaky tap? DIY plumbing fixes often appear good, but after a few weeks or months, they return. That’s because you’ve not actually solved the problem at hand – you’ve done the equivalent of papering over some cracks.
When you bring a professional plumber in, they diagnose the issue and figure out what’s causing it. It’s often not as simple as swapping out a washer or tightening a pipe nut; more needs to be done to stop the problem from coming back.
You End Up Violating Building Codes & Regulations
Did you know that all houses are subjected to certain building codes and regulations? It’s why you need to get permission before carrying out major home upgrades – and why things like extensions sometimes get refused by local councils.
What most people don’t realise is that this also applies to your plumbing installations. They have to live up to certain codes, or you run the risk of violating different rules. When you carry out your DIY plumbing fix, you could easily do something that means the plumbing in your home is not up to the right standards. If the authorities ever discover this – which they easily could – it may result in fines or prosecution unless you rectify it.
That’s why you bring in the pros for even the smallest plumbing jobs: they fix things up to the latest codes and regulations.
You Create An Even Bigger Problem
Perhaps the biggest reason to avoid DIY plumbing fixes is that you may turn a small problem into a massive catastrophe. That squeaky pipe under the sink you’re trying to fix suddenly turns into a huge leak because you broke something.
It’s so easy to turn small plumbing problems into enormous concerns because you’re dealing with running water, water pressure, or sometimes even gas. There’s no point in risking anything when you can just call a plumber to handle it for you and avoid these gigantic catastrophes.
You may fancy yourself as a bit of a DIY whizz around the home, but some things are better left to the pros. Stick with your DIY paint jobs or other fixes – like replacing a broken door hinge – but leave the plumbing to the experts who know what they’re doing.