When facing plumbing problems, cost-conscious homeowners might be tempted to try a DIY fix. Tightening a pipe or replacing a washer may seem like a simple enough job – even if you’ve never done plumbing work before. After all, that’s what YouTube videos are for, right?
Wrong.
There are significant risks and disadvantages to trying to fix your own plumbing. Here’s a list of the top five dangers of DIY plumbing:
- Knowledge. A seemingly minor repair might actually be rooted in significant plumbing problems that you can’t see. An expert has the knowledge and expertise to diagnose the root of the problem; many DIYers don’t. If you fix a washer in your faucet, for example, thinking that the source of the leak stems from there, but the issue actually lies deep in the bellows of your plumbing system, you could end up dealing with a worse problem down the line – because you ignored it for so long.
- Cost. Ignoring a plumbing problem because you’ve attempted a DIY fix often results in having to address a bigger, costlier problem in the end. For example, a leaky toilet might simply need a better seal, but if you’re fiddling with replacing parts inside the tank and ignoring the floor seal, eventually, you’ll be dealing with flooding problems and water damage. Instead of paying a plumber to properly fix the seal, you’ll be paying contractors and plumbers to repair your bathroom.
- Safety. YouTube videos and educational articles give DIYers a false sense of security when it comes to installing complex, dangerous equipment like a water heater. Only a professional should install these hazardous systems. A haphazard water heater installation can lead to a home fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and in some cases, an explosion.
- Damage. Many homeowners have unsuccessfully tried to install an ejector pump in their basements. If this deceptively simple pump isn’t installed correctly or is the wrong size, it can pump sewage into the basement – instead of out of the home – and cause a foul odor to emanate throughout the home.
- Tools. Trying to unclog drains and remove blockages with DIY knowledge – and without the right tools – only leads to trouble. Novices often don’t have the plumbing experience or tools to properly diagnose and find the blockage. Without the right tools, it’s nearly impossible to know where the drain is clogged or how deep the blockage goes. A surface fix is just that – it will address the problem for a moment, but over the long term, you’ll continue to have blocked pipes.
Don’t let plumbing problems get the best of you. Get professional help, and get it fast. For answers to your questions, contact the Pink Plumber today.
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