Resale value’s always in the back of my mind, especially with plumbing. I’ll patch a leaky faucet or swap a valve, but once you’re talking soldering copper or touching main lines, I don’t mess around—bad plumbing is like a neon sign for inspectors. Had a buddy who DIY’d a drain and it passed… until it didn’t, and he had to rip up his kitchen right before closing. Some things just aren’t worth gambling on, ya know?
PLUMBING CHECK-UP DILEMMA: DIY OR HIRE A PRO?
bad plumbing is like a neon sign for inspectors
- Couldn’t agree more. Nothing kills a home’s vibe (or value) faster than a suspicious water stain or a janky pipe job.
- I’ll paint a wall or hang shelves all day, but if it involves a torch or the word “main,” I’m out. My “handy” phase ended after a toilet install went sideways and I had to call in backup anyway.
- Honestly, you’re saving yourself future headaches—and probably money—by knowing your limits. Some DIYs are fun. Plumbing roulette? Not so much.
- Plus, nothing ruins a kitchen reno faster than having to rip it up again. Your buddy’s story is basically my nightmare scenario.
if it involves a torch or the word “main,” I’m out.
That’s pretty much my rule too. I’ll swap out faucets, replace a shutoff valve, maybe even snake a drain if I’m feeling brave. But anything that touches the main line or requires soldering—hard pass. I learned the hard way after trying to fix a leaky copper joint in my first house. Thought I could handle it with a YouTube video and a borrowed torch. Ended up with a bigger leak and a call to the plumber at 10pm.
Here’s how I break it down:
1. Visual check—look for stains, drips, corrosion.
2. Tighten what’s loose, replace washers if you’re comfortable.
3. Anything beyond that (especially if you have to shut off water to the whole house), just call someone who does this for a living.
It’s tempting to save a few bucks, but like you said, “plumbing roulette” isn’t worth it. One small mistake can mean tearing out finished walls or cabinets later. I’d rather spend that money on something fun, not fixing my own mess.
You nailed it—there’s a world of difference between swapping a faucet and messing with the main. I always tell folks, ask yourself: do you really want to risk a 2am flood just to save a few bucks? Sure, tightening a loose connection or replacing a washer is one thing, but once you’re talking main shutoffs or soldering copper, it’s a whole new ballgame. Ever notice how the “quick fix” jobs seem to balloon into all-day projects, too? Sometimes the peace of mind is worth every penny.
Totally get where you’re coming from—there’s a fine line between saving money and biting off more than you can chew. I’ve done my share of “quick” fixes that turned into half-day sagas, usually because I didn’t have the right tool or ran into some weird old plumbing. But sometimes I wonder, is it worth calling a pro for stuff like replacing a shutoff valve under the sink? Or is that still in the safe DIY zone if you’re careful and double-check everything?
