If you’re looking for a way to cut costs and time, doing your plumbing may sound like the perfect solution. But before you start grabbing tools and pipes at home improvement stores or on Amazon, there are a few things you need to know about DIY plumbing. Professional help is available, as the plumbing industry was riding high at $130.4 billion in 2022.
But that’s not the only reason to hire professionals for plumbing work instead of doing it on your own.
Safety Risks
The first and foremost reason to have professional help is to ensure safety.
- Safety risks. Plumbing projects can be dangerous, and the risk of injury is always present when working with hot water and sharp tools. Data shows that around 48% of plumbers report hearing loss in the long run despite wearing safety equipment. So if you try to DIY plumbing, and that too without any safety, it can be hazardous for your health.
- Property damage. You’re likely to damage your pipes or fixtures if you don’t know what you’re doing, which means more money spent on repairs down the line or, worse yet, being stuck without running water until those repairs are completed. In fact, water leaks are one of the most common reasons for property damage. For instance, a tattoo parlor in Oklahoma is underwater, and the leaks are expected to worsen.
- Damage to pipes and fixtures themselves. If DIY plumbing doesn’t go well, there’s always a chance that some part of your system will break irreparably during your project, meaning that replacing it could cost even more than hiring professional help in the first place. Certain codes must be maintained locally or statewide for depths of the pipeline. According to a government website, the minimum service line size should be ¾ inch in diameter. If the same is not followed, it could cause structural issues.
That’s why hiring professionals is essential. In fact, Wooten Knockout Plumbing states that professionals can help you with minor and major services and offer satisfactory results. Moreover, they will also have access to cutting-edge technology and strategies to get the best results.
However, when hiring a plumber, you must get someone with experience and who is local. The thing with plumbing is that you will require that service often and often again. That’s why hiring a local plumber and building a commercial relationship will help you get first and better services during busy days.
For instance, according to a news report from Tulsa, Oklahoma, the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day for plumbers. They call this day Brown Friday instead of Black Friday. So suppose you live in this region; hiring plumbers in Tulsa, OK, will ensure you can get quick services during Thanksgiving and the days after.
Legal and Regulatory Concerns
There can be legal consequences for doing plumbing all by yourself. Here are some regulatory concerns you must consider.
- DIY plumbing is not legal in all areas. While it’s true that most plumbing jobs are legal to do yourself, there are some situations where you will need to hire a professional plumber. For example:
- Suppose you live in an area with strict building codes, like New York City. In that case, your municipality may have regulations against certain plumbing work that licensed professionals can only perform.
- Suppose your home has underground pipes or sewer lines. In that case, you’ll need to hire a professional who can dig safely around them without damaging them or causing other issues with the utilities beneath your property.
- Some jobs require permits before they can be completed legally. Even if they don’t require permits at first glance, it may still be in your best interest as the homeowner and/or tenant not only because it could save money down the road but also because doing so might save face with inspectors later when they come knocking on doors looking for violations.
Potential Damage and Cost
The biggest reason you should leave the plumbing to professionals is because it can be dangerous. When working with water, there’s always the risk that something will go wrong and you’ll end up with a flood or worse.
And don’t think that it won’t in the future just because your home doesn’t have any significant leaks right now. As time passes and pipes age and corrode, they may develop small cracks that eventually grow into larger ones, especially if they’ve been neglected by previous homeowners who didn’t properly maintain their systems over time.
The best way to avoid these problems is by hiring someone who knows what they’re doing regarding regularly maintaining your home’s plumbing system. If you try doing this yourself without knowing what could happen if something goes wrong, things could get very expensive quickly.
Also Read: Preparing a home’s foundation in regions that are prone to flood
Warranty and Insurance
Warranty and insurance coverages are also crucial factors that should be considered before you decide on DIYing plumbing.
- Warranty. Most DIY plumbing jobs are limited to one year, and the warranty is not transferable. If your home’s plumbing system begins to malfunction after you’ve completed your job, you won’t be able to get help from the retailer or manufacturer.
- Insurance coverage. You may have heard that homeowners’ insurance policies cover damage caused by a faulty DIY plumbing project, but this isn’t always true, and even if it is, your policy may come with limitations on what types of damages qualify for coverage and how much money you can receive in restitution payments.
Time and Convenience
Time and convenience are not good reasons to do the job yourself. You will have to take time off work, which means losing wages or finding someone else to cover for you at the last minute.
You’ll also need tools and materials that may not already be in your home or garage, which means buying all those things and paying for delivery if unavailable locally. This could cost hundreds of dollars just on its own.
DIY Alternatives
DIY plumbing is a great way to save money and learn about your home’s pipes. However, it’s not always the right choice for every situation. If you plan on doing any plumbing work yourself, you must know what DIY alternatives are available when things go wrong.
- Hire a professional: The first thing that comes to mind when considering plumbing problems is hiring a plumber and for a good reason. If there’s something wrong with your home or business pipes, it’s best to call someone who knows what they’re doing.
- Use a DIY guide or book: Many people don’t realize how easy it can be to fix common issues around their house using simple guides. These guides have step-by-step instructions on performing basic maintenance tasks without breaking out your toolbox or getting covered in sewage water while trying out new fixes.
While there may be instances where a DIY approach can save you money and provide a sense of accomplishment, plumbing is one area where it’s often best to seek professional help. Plumbing systems are complex and interconnected, and a seemingly small mistake can lead to significant and costly issues down the line.
Head over to Inner City Plumbing if you’d like to know more about plumbing services. Professional plumbers have the expertise and training to handle a wide range of plumbing problems efficiently and effectively, ensuring the safety and functionality of your home’s water and sewage systems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can see that DIY plumbing is not a good idea. There are many reasons why you should hire professionals to do the job for you, including safety risks, legal and regulatory concerns, potential damage and cost of doing it yourself, lack of expertise and experience needed for this type of work, warranty and insurance coverage issues as well as the environmental impact from improper disposal of wastewater materials.