Should I Fix the Plumbing Myself?

When it comes to household maintenance, some things you can safely do yourself and some things you can do yourself or hire a professional. But then there are projects that definitely need a professional’s expertise.

For instance, you can mow your own lawn or you can hire a gardener. While you can retile your bathroom floor, you probably won’t be replacing your roof by yourself. Homeowners are faced with similar choices when it comes to their plumbing. Should you fix your plumbing yourself, or should you call in a professional?

Many homeowners can handle minor plumbing jobs successfully on their own, but then there are jobs that non-plumbers just aren’t equipped to handle. What may seem like a quick “do it yourself” project can turn into a nightmare for the overzealous homeowner who takes on more than they can handle?

Do you feel confident that you have the right stuff? If you don’t know much about plumbing, learning how to change the flapper or plunge the toilet won’t be hard, however, fixing a rocking toilet or tearing apart the shower system may be too much for you to take on.

If you are not confident in your skills, it’s time to call a licensed plumber.

Do you have, and know how to use the right tools? As with any skilled trade, you need quality tools and you must know how to use them. If you are handy around the house, you may have the tools necessary to fix a broken door or hang Christmas lights, but if you need to buy expensive tools just to complete one particular plumbing project, you’re better off hiring a plumber to do it.

Next, ask yourself, “Do I have the time to do this right?” When you’re doing something new, you can expect it to take twice, if not three times longer as you get over the learning curve. As we all know, when we’re in a hurry something always seems to go wrong.

How much is your time worth? If you’re retired, you may enjoy a DIY project, but if your nights and weekends are already filled with soccer practices, helping children with homework, catching up on work from the office or online courses, you may not have the time for a time-consuming DIY project.

You may be fully qualified to handle your DIY project, but it may make more sense to have a professional plumber drop by and resolve the issue for you while you tend to more important things.

If you have the skills, tools and time to tackle a DIY project head-on, then all the more power to you! Maybe it’s time to call a friend over and make a day of it, but don’t forget to have our name and number on hand in case you need us!

When you need a professional Leander plumber, call Excalibur Plumbing!