Why Hire A Plumber Instead Of Just Doing It Yourself?
If you are like me, you are always apprehensive about spending money on professional services when you have the ability to do things yourself. This is true especially when it comes to plumbing work. Why hire a plumber when I can just do it myself? If you’ve ever asked yourself that question, this article if for you. Here are just some of the reasons why you should hire a plumber instead of going at it alone.
The right tools to get the job done
Sure, most of us have a garage full of tools we rarely use. We’ve all, at one time or another, have uttered the words “surely we have a tool out there that will work.” When it comes to plumbing work, just having a tool that might get the job done isn’t enough.
When you hire a professional plumber, they are going to have the proper tool to fix whatever your problem may be. Furthermore, there are some bigger tools and pieces of equipment that you may need but can’t afford, such as a plumber’s snake. Sure, you could go out and rent one, and you may be able to fix the problem, but do you know what you are doing?
You don’t have the training or experience
When it comes to choosing between hiring a professional or doing it yourself, ask yourself this question; what kind of training do I have to solve this problem? Chances are, you are not going to have the same level of training, nor the experience, that a professional plumber will have.
Not only has that professional contractor completed certification courses to become a plumber, they likely have spent many years working in this field. Before a plumber can become licensed, they must prove that they are capable of performing the specific duties of a plumber as well as prove that they know the city and states codes and policies. In other words, when you hire a professional plumber instead of doing it yourself, you, and your spouse can rest easy knowing the person knows exactly what they are doing.
Insurance Coverage
With the internet age we live in, every piece of knowledge is seemingly at our fingertips. However, as most of us have figured out by now, not everything is as simple as the internet makes it seem. In fact, most people end up making the problem worse by watching the DIY videos because the project, or problem, was bigger than they realized. What happens when your small DIY project turns into a nightmare?
When you hire a professional to do the work, that person, or company, is going to carry insurance for those moments when fate blows your project up. Whereas, if you were working on your plumbing and have a pipe bust because you made an error, you end up paying for the damage plus to have the problem fixed by a professional. No, hiring a professional doesn’t mean there won’t be additional challenges or accidents. What it does mean, though, is that you won’t be paying for it out of your pocket.
Diagnose any major issues
Perhaps the greatest reason why you should have a professional plumber do the work instead of doing it yourself is that a plumber will not only fix the problem you are having now but will be able to diagnose and prevent any further issues. For example, let’s say you have a pipe that sprung a leak behind your bathroom sink.
The DIY person sitting on your shoulder tells you it’s a simple fix that a pipe clamp can fix. However, what the professional plumber will see that you won’t know to look for it the possible other spots on the pipe that may be ready to bust as well. Therefore, by hiring a plumber to fix the leak, you’ve not only ensured the job is done properly but that you won’t have that same problem over and over again.
Cut project time
Most plumbing jobs are not a quick fix. Instead, doing a project on your own could take you several hours, if not an entire day or two, to complete. We’ve all been there; having one person turn the water on while another check for any leaks. Even having an extra set of hands to reach tools becomes necessary when you’re in tight places. When you hire a professional plumber, their experience, alone, will drastically reduce the amount of time the project takes.
Also, most plumbing jobs turn out to need two or more people to complete in a decent amount of time. As is the case most of the time, plumbing companies will have their plumbers work in sets of at least two, if not more. This is not so that they can charge you more, as many would have you to believe. Instead, this is so the time it takes to complete the job is less, allowing them to complete more jobs.
Spend your time doing other things
It’s true; our lives get busier with each passing day. Between balancing work schedules and family life, throwing in a plumbing repair throws a wrench into your plans. After all, your time is valuable. Would you rather spend your weekend fixing problem after problem that arises from your DIY plumbing project? Or would you rather leave it to the professionals and spend the time doing the things you enjoy.
With the economy, the way it is, any way you can save a few dollars is always a needed bonus. However, when it comes to the plumbing in your house, hiring a professional will save you thousands in costly errors and return problems. If you’re having issues, whether it be in your water, gas, or heating vent systems, call a professional the first time instead of the last. True, you may be able to fix it on your own, but what if you can’t? It’s better to do it properly the first time than to live with regret and high bills because you tried it your way first.