In today’s world of YouTube and Pinterest, it’s getting more and more possible to do projects yourself without hiring a professional. It’s called DIY (do it yourself), and it can be incredibly rewarding to see the results of your own successful work. With many DIY projects, you can roll up your sleeves, dive in, and figure things out as you go; a project like building shelves can be successfully done with online guidance and a little trial-and-error, even if you don’t know much about building.
There are some projects, however, that require professional training and expertise to successfully complete, such as plumbing work. Many people believe they can save money by doing their own plumbing, but unlike other DIY projects, even the smallest mistakes are not cheap. There is no room at all for trial-and-error, and if you try to figure it out as you go, you could end up doing more harm than good. Water, while being one of the most life-giving and cleansing substances, is also one of the most destructive.
Don’t just take our word for it, though. Here are 3 real-life reasons why DIY plumbing isn’t such a good idea.
1. Plumbing Codes
Your home’s plumbing system is largely responsible for the overall health of your home; we count on it to bring clean water into the house and to take dirty water away. Because this system is so vital, there are plumbing codes in place to ensure everything works properly and your home stays as healthy as possible. When you do your own plumbing, it can be easy to violate plumbing code without even knowing, which can lead to city fines. Simple mistakes can be made, such as improper venting which can hinder your drains from draining properly, or even worse, water contamination due to backflow issues. A professional licensed plumbing technician has a deep understanding of plumbing codes and stays up-to-date as they change, so their installations will be up to code every time.
2. The Right Pipes
There are many different types and sizes of pipes, connections, and valves, all for different places and purposes. The wrong type of pipe in the wrong place can be dangerous, as different pipe materials react differently when water and other substances flow through them. The wrong size or placement of connections or valves can cause leaks and corrosion. The wrong size pipes might cause easy clogs, water pressure issues, or even burst pipes. It’s best to leave this up to the professionals, as they have extensive knowledge of all plumbing materials and how to use them properly.
3. Expertise
Plumbers have years of training and experience in the field, meaning they possess well-developed skills and knowledge that the average homeowner does not. They solve a wide range of plumbing problems on a daily basis. So when they look at a complicated problem, they are able to come up with a solution right away and perform the solution without error. They also have a variety of specialized tools, some of which aren’t even sold in hardware stores, and they know exactly how to install a correctly sized pipe with the correct connections, material, and pitch to maximize flow and minimize problems.
Plumbing is tricky and difficult. While you might save a little money in the short-term by choosing to do your plumbing yourself, you might do something improperly and cause numerous problems down the road. Even the slightest error in plumbing can lead to leaks, malfunctioning fixtures, and a variety of other serious problems.