There are plenty of plumbing fixes you can (and probably should) learn to do yourself if you’re a homeowner or landlord. Not only can they save you plenty of time and money if done correctly, but you’ll develop experience if ever a particular problem pops up again in the home.
While YouTube or TikTok can help you solve a great deal of plumbing problems around the house, there are a few issues that you really, really should not try to DIY. Quite simply, some are illegal to DIY and you must hire a registered plumber as per state/territorial law, or they are potentially dangerous (and usually, because they’re dangerous, they require a registered plumber).
Furthermore, illegally performing prohibited plumbing work (yes, even in your own home) can lead to fines, voiding your property insurance policy, or potentially lead to failed inspections, for example for businesses.
Here are five plumbing fixes you should NOT try to DIY:
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Extensive Roof Plumbing
It may not be the most common task, and you may associate it more with roofers, but cleaning out your gutters and downspouts and elsewhere along the roof is considered a plumbing task (it deals with water drainage). Cleaning out gutters and downspouts of debris such as leaves and branches is perfectly fine to DIY, just make sure you use a proper ladder and safety equipment when going up to the roof.
If you need flashings or valleys repaired, however, or the task is anything beyond seasonal gutter/downspout cleaning, leave the job to a registered plumber.
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Gas Line Work & Appliances
Now this is the big one you’ve probably had in mind. Anything to do with gas fittings, gas lines, or working with gas appliances should always be done by a registered plumber. A licensed plumber is the only individual qualified to work on gas fittings, gas pipes, and things like hot water systems or heaters powered by gas.
The risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and the inherent dangers of working with gas fittings are simply too great to even think about trying to DIY. Don’t do it!
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Hot Water Systems & Pressurised Water Lines
The hot water system is likewise something that should only be left to a registered plumber – yes, even if it’s electric and not gas. Working with hot water connections, pressurised water pipes, or direct connections to the main supply should only be left to registered plumbers. A burst or leak from an improper joint or connection could be disastrous, and for hot water systems, incorrect calibration of the electrical components and pressure could likewise be quite dangerous.
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Drain Blockages & Sewer Lines
This one is quite a prickly pear since many homeowners have already tried or are trying to unclog their drains themselves. Drain cleaning chemicals are quite harsh, and most plumbers will tell you to avoid using them at all or to use them sparingly if you absolutely must. It’s much, much better to let a qualified plumber unclog drains and work with anything related to sewer lines.
A backup of sewage or a worsening of a clog (such as getting a cheap snake tangled up and broken inside the drain!) can make an inconvenience turn into a nightmare, but it’s all in a day’s work for a plumber.
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Leaks Inside Walls or in Ceilings/Floors
If you’ve noticed a musty smell that doesn’t belong in your home or see stains on the walls/ceilings/floors, it could very well be the case that there is a leak or burst in the pipes and it’s seeping into them. This could, with time, start to develop into mould and cause structural damage, so it’s a pretty big issue that needs to be solved professionally – call a plumber!
FastnLocal Plumbing in Melbourne
For professional plumbing near you, call us at FastnLocal Plumbing.
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