Here are 3 real-life reasons why DIY plumbing isn't such a good idea. 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.
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. 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. The good news is, plumbers are required to keep up with local plumbing codes, otherwise they could lose their license. So, if you hire a professional plumber, keeping up with local codes is not something you need to worry about.
Most companies and contractors also offer a labor warranty for their work. This essentially means that if a plumber repairs or replaces something and it fails because the repair replacement was not done correctly, the company or contractor will redo the work for free.
Of course, if you do a plumbing project yourself, you'll likely void any labor warranties you currently have. Unless you're a highly experienced handyman or a plumber yourself , you'll likely end up spending more time on a DIY attempt vs just hiring a professional. As we mentioned above, most plumbing repairs and replacements are very technical and can take a lot of time if you're not a professional.
While replacing a pipe under your sink or installing a water heater may seem like a fairly simple job, it usually ends up taking homeowners much longer than it would take professional plumber. So, if time is extremely important to you, we'd suggest hiring a professional plumber. We hate to break it to you, but the quality of work that a professional plumber provides is typically going to be higher than the quality of plumbing work a homeowner can complete.
Plumbers go through extensive training and also have years of experience working on various plumbing systems and issues. Because of this, they are typically able to complete most plumbing repairs and replacements at a higher level of quality than an inexperienced homeowner would be able to. Many plumbing projects also require expensive and potentially dangerous equipment that can cause additional damage if not handled by a professional who knows how to use it.
Either of these methods require expertise and can have serious implications if done incorrectly. Most of these valves are found in the basement, though some might be hidden behind access panels.
If you're unsure what a specific valve controls, just close it off and start turning on your faucets and flushing your toilets. Most importantly, always know where the main house shutoff is. It's usually right where the water line enters the house. Keep in the back of your head the fastest route to the shutoff.
You could be sprinting there someday. This skill is the cornerstone of modern plumbing and once you try it, you'll be amazed at how easy it is. One trip to your local hardware store for solder, flux, a small torch, and a few pieces of copper pipe and you're well on your way.
You can read all about it here , but the basics are simple: Clean the copper, add a little flux, heat the joint, and then apply the solder. It's like changing your oil—once you do it, the mystery is gone. A first-timer probably won't want to pipe a whole house, but it's a good skill to have in your back pocket for small fixes and adding valves.
Although your solder joints won't be as neat as the ones the pros make, they'll be functional. Unless you're a real perfectionist, that should be enough.
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