Some plumbing jobs are reasonable for a careful homeowner. Others can cause thousands of dollars in damage, or put your safety at risk, if they go wrong. Here's where the line usually falls.
Generally reasonable to do yourself
- Clearing a simple sink or tub clog with a plunger or drain snake
- Replacing a faucet aerator, showerhead, or toilet flapper or fill valve
- Tightening a loose connection under a sink
- Cleaning the garbage disposal
- Shutting off the water at a fixture or at the main to stop a problem
Call a licensed plumber
- Anything involving gas lines or gas appliances
- Water heater installation or repair
- A leak inside a wall, ceiling, or under the slab
- Sewer line problems, backups in more than one drain, or sewer odors
- Low water pressure across the whole house
- Repiping or moving plumbing
- Any job that needs a permit or inspection
- A repair you've tried more than once that keeps coming back
The hidden costs of DIY
- Water damage from a small mistake is often far more expensive than the plumber would have been
- Work done without a required permit can create problems when you sell the home or file an insurance claim
- Wrong parts and repeated trips to the store add up in time and money
A quick rule
If a mistake would flood your home, involve gas or high-pressure water, or void an insurance claim, call a professional. If the worst outcome is that you have to try again, it's probably safe to tackle.
Know your shutoff
Whatever you decide, know where your main water shutoff is and that it works. Being able to stop water quickly is the most valuable plumbing skill any homeowner has.
Want a professional opinion?
Call us any time, day or night, at (425) 615-5000, or book online. Written pricing before any work begins.
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