Not all plumbing work requires a call to a local plumber, but it all depends on what the homeowner feels he/she can handle. Plumbing is more than fixing a leaking pipe or replacing a faulty pipe with a new one; it requires an understanding of hydraulic layouts, an accurate calculation of water pressure, and the ability to know the best materials to use. While almost all qualified plumbers can do most, if not all, plumbing services, homeowners can save time and money by doing it themselves, hence DIY projects.
With the internet’s help, many homeowners have turned to instructional videos on YouTube and other sources to learn how to carry out plumbing repair jobs instead of hiring a professional plumber allserviceplumbers.com
Some plumbing jobs seem relatively easy for a beginner to solve, with minimal risk involved. Small projects, like installing a new shower, or emptying a drain, are relatively simple projects that a homeowner can accomplish on their own, quickly, and affordably. But there are times when problems specific plumbing issues require the experience of a professional. While there may be videos that walk you through a few steps, some major plumbing issues can cost more time and expenses when carried out by a non-professional plumber.
The thing about these types of issues is that there are sometimes unknown and may require a quick response to avoid further damage. In these cases, it is essential to know what needs to be done, and here, a professional plumber steps in.
There is also the problem of new materials that are continually appearing on the market. While every plumber should be up to date with the latest updates in the plumbing world, this information can be easily made available to any homeowner. The result is obvious: new materials will require technical knowledge on how it needs to be installed or repaired. Thorough knowledge of the material used is extremely important from a chemical point of view. For example, aluminium copper does not guarantee a stable installation over time due to the copper ions release, which damages aluminium parts.
If you choose to fix a plumbing problem, consider a few things before deciding to hire a professional plumber or embark on a DIY project.
Professional Plumbers Vs. DIY
Many homeowners use cost as a major determinant for repairs and maintenance, whether they should do the plumbing work themselves or hire a professional plumber. However, cost alone should not be the basis for this conclusion. The reason is that there are many other factors to consider besides the cost.
We know that not all plumbing repairs require the use of a plumber, and DIY projects aren’t that bad, especially when most of the costs associated with major plumbing jobs are labour costs.
As a homeowner, you can purchase the parts needed to perform essential plumbing work at your local hardware store. However, the work associated with hiring a professional plumber is tied to the knowledge and experience they bring to the job. You should also consider years of training, knowledge, and experience.
There is some uncertainty in resolving something that is outside of your primary area of expertise. Think about it; if you are not sure what you are doing, the results can be quite bad and ultimately cost you even more.
One of the benefits of hiring a professional plumber is knowing what the problem is and how to fix it. Plus, they can often work within your budget and stay on schedule because they work efficiently. Especially if you regularly use the same plumber, who is more familiar with your general plumbing needs.
Some Selected Pros and Cons of hiring a professional and DIY
Based on the above, there are pros and cons to DIY projects and hiring a professional plumber. Let’s take a look at some selected pros and cons of each.
Pros of DIY
- Can become more self-sufficient
- You can learn some necessary plumbing repair skills by watching easy to follow videos.
- You can save on labour costs.
Cons of DIY
- Some plumbing problems cannot be accurately assessed.
- The severity of a plumbing problem cannot be determined without the help of a professional plumber.
- You are not aware of the security risks and potential threats.
- You are not licensed
- You can potentially make more mistakes
- You have limited sets of skills.
Pros of Hiring a Professional Plumber
- A professional plumber has credentials, such as a professional plumber’s license.
- A professional plumber is familiar with security risks and can reduce them.
- Can guarantee his work.
- Can identify other problems, such as moulds and polybutylene pipes.
- Can identify potential problems before they occur
- Has insurance and is probably bonded
- Has the knowledge and skills to complete projects accurately
- It is generally possible to reduce the risk associated with causing more problems due to lack of knowledge.
- It is often possible to work within budget and planning constraints.
Cons of Hiring a Professional Plumber
- It is possible to charge a high price for the work.
- May charge an additional overage for parts and materials
Reasons that will make you hire a professional plumber
- A professional solution may cost less: many owners would be surprised to learn that a professional plumber can often do the job for much less than a DIY repair would cost. This is because a professional plumber will do the job much more efficiently. A professional plumber may also have access to wholesale or discounted plumbing parts, while a homeowner will pay the accessories’ retail cost.
- Avoid costly plumbing accidents: poorly executed work can, in some cases, have catastrophic consequences. A broken water pipe, hidden water leaks, or other damage caused by a DIY repair can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home. In some cases, the homeowner’s insurance plan will not reimburse the homeowner if they cause such accidents, and if the insurer can prove that the owner was reckless in causing the damage.
- Guaranteed Plumbing Jobs: Many professional plumbers offer short and long-term guarantees for plumbing work and used materials. In many cases, these guarantees are transferable, so if you decide to sell your home, the new owner can choose to use these guarantees. In turn, this increases the value of your home. There is nothing better for a future owner than buying a new property with certain guarantees.
- Ensures the water stays hygienic: Another big mistake with DIY solutions is related to water hygiene. Improper plumbing job can moderate or seriously compromise the integrity of the water supply. Some plastics, metals, and joint sealants can seriously poison your water supply, which can expose you and your family to the risk of disease or poisoning. If you are not sure that a DIY solution is safe for the water supply, choose to hire a professional.
- Solve the problem permanently: DIY solutions are usually temporary at best. This is especially true if the plumbing is not done with the proper tools or if the technique used to complete the repair was not well planned. When you hire a certified professional plumber, you can be sure that the solution will be permanent. This implies you can rest easy knowing that you won’t have to do the same repair twice or sooner.
- You do not have the right tools: a professional plumbing system means you need to have the right tools, and a professional plumber knows that. Plumbing involves hand tools and power tools. If you don’t have and use the right tools for the job, you’re more likely to damage something. It is also likely that you will be physically injured if you use the wrong tools. Using the wrong gasket or wrench can wreak havoc in several ways.
The plumbing industry is constantly changing. Most professional plumbers are up to date with the latest plumbing trends, which means that they will solve your plumbing problem with the best methods available and using the best tools.
- Your physical safety: All plumbing jobs have risk, while some can be extremely hazardous, especially when climbing or in confined workspaces. Your safety can also be at risk when it comes to hot water pipes. You can injure yourself when trying to open clogged plumbing fittings, burn yourself from burning hot water, cut yourself while using electric tools, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, plumbing is an important part of your home. It is, therefore, important that it works properly and has little or no surprise. Small plumbing jobs left unattended can result in bigger problems and higher costs. Therefore, it is always good to hire a professional plumber for basic testing and maintenance to avoid further damage. However, in cases where you can do small DIY repairs, as the homeowner, you should. Hopefully, based on the information provided, you will be able to know where and when to draw the line in approaching the projects on your own instead of hiring a professional plumber.
