Plumbing 22 January 2023

DIY Plumbing Fixes vs Professional Repairs: When to Call a Pro

DIY plumbing can seem like an easy and cost-effective solution, but it’s important to know when to call in a professional. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and limitations of DIY plumbing fixes and when it’s best to call a professional plumber.

Pros of DIY Plumbing Fixes:

• Cost savings: DIY plumbing repairs can save you money in the short term, as you avoid paying for labour costs.
• Sense of accomplishment: Completing a plumbing repair on your own can give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
• Quick solution: If you have the necessary tools and knowledge, DIY repairs can be a fast solution to a plumbing issue.

Cons of DIY Plumbing Fixes:

• Lack of experience: If you don’t have prior experience with plumbing, attempting a DIY repair can lead to mistakes and potentially worsen the problem.
• Safety hazards: Some plumbing repairs can be dangerous and require special equipment or training to safely complete.
• Ineffective solution: Without the proper tools and knowledge, a DIY repair may not effectively solve the issue and require a professional repair anyway.

When to Call a Professional Plumber:

• Complex repairs: If the plumbing issue is complex or beyond your skill level, it’s best to call in a professional to ensure a safe and effective repair.
• Emergencies: In the case of a plumbing emergency, such as a burst pipe or severe leak, it’s important to call a professional for a quick and efficient resolution.
• Long-term savings: While professional repairs may have a higher upfront cost, they can save you money in the long term by effectively solving the issue and preventing future problems.

The Jobs Genuinely Worth Doing Yourself

We would rather tell you this than send an engineer out for five minutes’ work:

• Bleeding a radiator and topping up boiler pressure
• Resetting a boiler that has locked out
• Changing a tap washer or a ceramic cartridge
• Clearing the trap under a sink
• Swapping a thermostatic radiator valve head
• Thawing a frozen condensate pipe with warm — never boiling — water

The Jobs That Are Not Yours to Do

The line is not about confidence, it is about law and consequence:

• Anything on the gas supply, a gas appliance or its flue. By law this is Gas Safe work only, whatever your background. That includes replacing a thermocouple.
• Anything buried in a wall or under a floor, where a mistake costs many times the original job to put right.
• Soldered joints in a confined space near joists and insulation.
• Anything you have already had two failed attempts at. The third rarely goes better.

The Real Cost of a DIY Job That Goes Wrong

The repair is almost never the expensive part. The expensive part is the ceiling underneath it, the flooring, and the fortnight of drying out. A joint that lets go while you are at work does far more damage than the original fault ever would have.

It is also worth checking your policy. Many insurers will cover DIY work done competently but exclude damage arising from poor workmanship.

What It Costs to Bring Us In

Repairs are charged at £95 + VAT for the first hour, which is always billable, then £47.50 + VAT for each hour after. Materials are agreed with you before we fit or order them.

Because the first hour is billable either way, it pays to save up the small jobs and have us work through several in one visit rather than calling us out for each in turn.

Call 01732 792 454 or see our plumbing services.