When plumbing issues come up unexpectedly, you might be tempted to try and deal with it yourself.
With DIY culture accepted more than ever throughout Australia, it’s no wonder that many people are happy to give it a go themselves.
However, this isn’t a great idea, especially when it comes to your plumbing. The issue may seem like a small one at first, but you will likely not fix the issue successfully yourself and need to call in the professionals after all. This will likely cost you more than if you had booked a professional plumber in the beginning and will have wasted your time.
Take a look at our top reasons why you should always avoid DIY plumbing at your home on the Sunshine Coast and call in the experts instead.
1. Safety Is Key
It may be surprising to learn that plumbing is a seriously risky and dangerous job. Qualified plumbing professionals not only spend years learning how to care for and fix intricate plumbing systems, but they also spend a considerable amount of time learning about safety and how to avoid injury.
Professional plumbers are trained to avoid accidents and harming themselves as well as how to take the necessary precautions when they are exposed to harmful substances such as mould, asbestos, toxic chemicals and foreign debris.
If you’re not familiar with all of the safety issues, you should leave the job to a professional.
2. Small Mistakes Can Be Expensive
Small mistakes made during a DIY attempt to fix your plumbing can end up costing you a lot of money in the long run.
Without the correct knowledge and experience, you likely have no idea what you are doing or what tools you are going to need. This guesswork often leads to the need for a professional to come in to diagnose the problem and fix any bungled repairs you may have attempted yourself.
Trying to fix the issue yourself also leads to you only potentially addressing the surface issue. Plumbers are trained to look past the surface and diagnose the root of the problem and the bigger issue.
If you DIY your plumbing yourself you risk leaving the larger problem unsolved which can lead to costly repairs as well as huge potential damage if left untreated.
3. You Probably Don’t Have The Right Tools
Plumbing repairs require highly specific and specialised tools for the job. The odds that you have the required tools is very unlikely.
Utilising the proper tools is important in ensuring that your plumbing issues are fixed properly. Attempting to fix the issue without the correct tools can result in further damage and the problem not being resolved.
Plumbing toolboxes are large and varied. Investing in the tools to tackle the job can often end up costing you more than if you were to simply call in a plumber to do the job for you.
Avoid trying to fix the issue yourself and call in a professional who has all the necessary tools to see the job done right the first time.
4. You Can Damage Other Parts Of Your Home
One of the main reasons that you should always avoid DIY plumbing is the fact that you can cause serious damage to the rest of your home if you don’t do the job right.
DIY plumbing can lead to burst pipes or even gas leaks that you have no hope of fixing yourself. Not only are gas leaks and burst pipes dangerous, but they can also cause considerable long term damage to your home.
Water damage especially has a habit of lingering and causing trouble for you well into the future. From rotten wood and boards to black mould and mildew, water damage is difficult to repair once it has been caused.
Rather than risk such damage to your home, hire a professional who will know how to avoid causing this damage in the first place.
5. You Don’t Have The Necessary Knowledge
Plumbing systems are complex, delicate and often finicky. They’re the type of system that only professionals with the requisite and necessary knowledge should attempt to fix.
It takes years of study and gaining experience in an apprenticeship to be able to work with one confidently. Anyone who doesn’t know the systems inside and out should avoid attempting to fix them.
DIY plumbing often relies on guesswork and one simple mistake where you damage the wrong pipe can result in you causing more damage than you initially needed to be repaired. Leave it to the plumbing professionals who have the necessary knowledge to work with the system.
While DIY home renovations can undoubtedly save you a lot of money, your plumbing is one system that you will want to leave to the professionals.
It’s an intricate and often confusing system that requires years of experience and training to be able to understand properly. Rather than risk damaging your plumbing system and home further by undertaking DIY plumbing, leave it to the plumbing professionals to examine and repair your plumbing for you. This will ensure that the job is done right.
If you have issues with your Sunshine Coast plumbing, get in touch with the team at O'Brien Plumbing Maroochydore today. Our professionals will be able to get your plumbing issues sorted ASAP.