One of the many wonderful things about our modern digital age is that it’s easier than ever before to find DIY videos and content on social media and elsewhere, so much so that you can actually develop some skills and sometimes save a lot of money in the process.
From repairing your own car to building bespoke koi gardens in your garden, there are videos out there explaining step by step how to DIY all sorts of projects around your home. This also includes trade-specific skills such as setting up electrical connections and plumbing, but is it worth it trying to do these on your own or is it better to call a professional plumber?
The short answer is: it depends. Some projects are perfectly fine to tackle yourself, others… not so much.
DIY Plumbing: What Can You Do?
Before getting your hands and knees in action, it’s best to understand what sorts of things you can and can’t do even in your own home with regards to plumbing. Plumbing is a regulated industry in Australia, and every state and territory has its own licensing and regulations for plumbers, e.g. license & registration in Victoria.
Some of the DIY tasks you can do without a license include replacing your faucet taps and showerheads, installing water filters, clearing out downspouts and gutters, replacing drain opening caps, clearing drains with a plunger or toilet snake, and connecting your washing machine water hose.
This means that just about all of the most common DIY tasks are within your remit and you’re free to do these around your own home. A lot of blockages are caused by fats and hairs and clearing them out yourself, even if it’s perhaps not the most exciting way to spend your free time, a great way to develop skills and save money.
DIY Plumbing: What Can You NOT Do?
While there are many basic tasks that don’t require a plumbing license to do, there are some critical tasks you cannot and should not ever attempt to do yourself.
A lot of these include wastewater management, so sewage and sanitary drainage for example require a plumber. Moreover, HVAC maintenance, fitting new appliances, managing stormwater drainage, or working with a hot water tank are tasks that require a licensed plumber.
The issue with all of these is not so much a matter of competence, i.e. are you able to learn how to do these, but moreso the fact that they can all introduce significant hazards to you and any occupants of your home as well as to adjacent properties.
In brief, if it has to do with managing drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater beyond cleaning gutters or a drain, it almost certainly requires a professional plumber.
Why Hiring a Professional Plumber is Essential
Now that we’ve gone over what you can and cannot DIY around the house, it’s worthwhile asking yourself when should you call a professional plumber and when is it okay to go ahead and learn how to DIY.
As far as saving time and money and making sure the job is done right, it’s often worth it to call a professional plumber that offers fair, competitive quotes. That’s right, a plumber can save you money especially if you muck something up and cause further damage that ends up costing more to repair later on.
If it’s a simple job like plunging your toilet or clearing out a little built up grease in your shower drain, by all means wear some protective equipment and get to work. Of course, if you don’t like getting your hands dirty a plumber can also do these jobs for you.
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