“It’s just a leaking tap, right? Should be easy to fix…”

This is the thought that crosses many homeowners’ minds right before they do something disastrous to their plumbing. Unless you know what you’re doing – and sometimes even if you do – you should really leave plumbing to plumbers. There is a reason why plumbers go through a long apprenticeship and must possess a plumber’s license before they can practice their trade.

Plumbing is far more complex than it seems and many DIY plumbing dangers and disasters can occur if you tackle a plumbing task without knowing what you’re doing.

Time Is Precious

Even if you don’t do anything harmful while doing the job yourself, it is going to take you much longer than a professional. Why waste your time when you could spend it working or relaxing? And, of course, that’s the best case scenarios – things could easily get much worse.

Not as Simple as It Seems

Even something simple like a leaky tap involves more than you might think. Replacing worn washers is one of the safest DIY plumbing projects you can undertake, but there are many things that can go wrong.

After you have turned off the water, you will then have to systematically remove several components. Do you have all the tools necessary to remove and replace all the components? What do you do if one of them is stuck? Which one of these parts needs replacing?

The “best case scenario” is that after hours of work you will successfully fix the leak. The worst case scenario is that you will end up making an emergency call to the plumber after making the leak worse.

Pipe Problems

When it comes to fixing pipes, things start to become dangerous. There are many stories about homeowners who notice water seepage from a leaking buried pipe. They grab a shovel, start digging and crack a PVC or clay pipe. The lucky ones strike an inflow pipe and get covered in clean water. The unlucky ones hit a sewerage pipe. If they do manage to find the source of the leak without creating a new one, the smart ones call a plumber straight away. When you see the complexities of doing something as “simple” as replacing a pipe, you know it is a job best handled by the pros.

Don’t Get Into Hot Water

Don’t even consider taking on a DIY plumbing project that involves your hot water system or poses even the slightest risk of mixing water with electricity. There are far too many things that can go wrong and the slightest mistake can be fatal.

The same thing is true when working with gas water heaters – there is a real risk of causing an explosion! That is why only licensed plumbers and gas fitters can legally install or repair gas hot water systems.

Call a Plumber

The only jobs you should DIY when it comes to plumbing are those you have a really clear understanding of and that can be achieved without specialist tools or skills. If electrocution, fire, or even explosions are a possibility, don’t even think about completing the tasks.

Call one of our Canberra plumbers instead and get the job done properly.