Good points made here. I've done basic plumbing checks myself—saved a decent amount over the years. But yeah, once things get complicated or risky, better safe than sorry and call someone who knows their stuff.
I've seen plenty of DIY plumbing jobs go smoothly, but I've also had to step in after a few went sideways. Reminds me of a client last year who decided to replace his own bathroom faucet—seemed straightforward enough, right? Well, he got the old one off fine, but when installing the new one, he overtightened the fittings and cracked the sink basin. Ended up costing him way more than if he'd just called someone in from the start.
Basic checks and minor fixes are usually fine if you're comfortable with tools and have some patience. But once you get into anything involving water pressure, valves, or older pipes... things can escalate quickly. Even pros run into surprises sometimes—like hidden corrosion or brittle fittings that snap off unexpectedly. So yeah, knowing your limits is key. Saving money is great until you're staring at a flooded bathroom floor at midnight (been there myself).
I learned that lesson the hard way too. Thought I'd quickly fix a dripping pipe under the kitchen sink—five hours and two trips to the hardware store later, I was still on my back cursing quietly at rusted fittings. Ended up calling a plumber anyway, who sorted it in 20 mins flat. DIY is great for simple stuff, but plumbing has a sneaky way of turning into an expensive adventure... usually at the worst possible time.
I've had my share of plumbing nightmares too, but honestly, I think it's about knowing your limits and prepping properly. A few years back, I tackled a bathroom remodel—pipes, fixtures, the whole nine yards. Sure, it took longer than expected (doesn't it always?), but with plenty of research and patience, it turned out great. Plumbing isn't always a DIY disaster waiting to happen... sometimes it's just about taking your time and knowing when to pause for a YouTube tutorial or two.
That's impressive you managed a full bathroom remodel solo—I usually stick to smaller plumbing fixes myself. Curious though, did you run into any unexpected code or permit issues along the way? That's always my biggest hesitation with DIY plumbing projects...
