It can be a good thing or a bad thing when someone wants to do a job around the house. If you don’t know what you’re doing, more than likely you’re going to have a bad experience. How can you decide whether or not to do a project on your own? Simply be honest with yourself and know your limits. Don’t just assume that it’s going to be easy.
Plumbing can look very easy until you actually start getting into it. You’ll end up discovering that it’s actually way more complicated than you initially thought. I know plenty of stories from people who tried to do what appeared to be a simple job by themselves. They made multiple trips to the supply store, they made some mistakes, and even caused damage to their home. Here are some simple questions you should be asking yourself (and answering with complete honesty):
Do I know what I’m doing?
Am I really going to save money by fixing this myself?
What would happen if something went wrong?
There are some occasions where people just don’t have any other choice but to do the project themselves. I’d encourage them to have a plan of action. Don’t just go charging into it without doing any research or asking questions. Get an idea about what’s involved with completing the task first.
The Right Equipment
There’s also something to be said about using the right parts/tools. If you used whatever you happened to have on-hand, you would just put a piece of rubber hose and clamp over a pipe. However, that’s probably not the best idea. In fact, it could actually make some situations even worse. Know your plumbing components, and make sure you have the right parts for the job.
Remember, whether it relates to gardening, electrical, or heating & air conditioning, you’re asking for trouble if you don’t have the right tools and parts.
Knowledge and Research
Plumbing is like many other industries that are constantly changing and improving. What was true five years ago may be drastically different today. Everyone at Wisler Plumbing keeps on top of the rapidly changing industry. Not only do we stay on the cutting edge, but we investigate new products that we feel are proven and that make sense.
Not everything that’s advertised on TV or sold in stores is a proven product. Some items might sound like a good idea, but don’t really hold up in real-world conditions. It simply doesn’t make sense to install them in your plumbing system and take on the associated risks that come along with them.
If you’re a determined do-it-yourselfer, take a look at our previous blog posts and podcasts. If you do a bit of research first, you’ll be more likely to have an idea of whether or not you’re comfortable with taking on the project. If it seems too complicated or you’re unsure for any reason, contact a qualified professional to keep your home’s plumbing safe and working properly.
If you’re in doubt about a do-it-yourself project and want the advice of a qualified professional, contact us online or give us a call at (540) 685-0366.
