PLUMBING CHECK-UP DILEMMA: DIY OR HIRE A PRO?
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ll be honest—sometimes I think folks overestimate the risk of DIY with plumbing, especially if you’re just doing a check-up. I’ve got a 1920s place and yeah, the pipes are ancient, but I’ve saved a ton just by learning what’s what and keeping an eye out for leaks or corrosion myself. Not saying I’d tackle a full re-pipe, but basic troubleshooting isn’t rocket science. Worst case, you spot something weird and THEN call in the pro. Sometimes it’s worth getting your hands dirty first.
Not saying I’d tackle a full re-pipe, but basic troubleshooting isn’t rocket science. Worst case, you spot something weird and THEN call in the pro.
That’s pretty much how I look at it too. I mean, if you’re just checking for obvious stuff—leaks under the sink, corrosion on joints, slow drains—it’s not exactly high stakes. I’ve got a house from the 70s and honestly, half the time it’s just tightening a loose fitting or cleaning out a trap. The peace of mind from knowing what’s going on under the hood is worth it for me.
But I do wonder where folks draw the line. Like, I’m comfortable swapping out a faucet or replacing a shutoff valve, but when it comes to anything behind the walls or messing with the main line, that’s where I tap out. I had a buddy who thought he could fix a “minor” leak in his crawlspace and ended up with a burst pipe and a weekend of mopping up. Not fun.
Curious if anyone has a rule of thumb for when to call in the pros? Is it about the age of the pipes, or just how much you trust your own skills? Sometimes I feel like YouTube makes everything look easier than it is... but then again, you can learn a lot from watching someone else mess up first.
Also, does anyone actually do regular check-ups, or is it more of a “fix it when it breaks” situation? I try to do a walk-through every few months, but I’m probably in the minority there.
I’m with you—basic stuff like checking for leaks or swapping out a faucet is no big deal, but once you’re dealing with anything that could flood a basement, I’d rather pay a pro than risk it. I’ve got a handful of rentals, and honestly, I only do regular check-ups if a place is older or has had issues before. Otherwise, it’s more of a “fix it when it breaks” thing. One thing I’m still debating is whether it’s worth getting a camera inspection of the main line every few years. Feels like overkill, but then again, a surprise backup is way worse. Anyone ever actually caught a big problem early that way, or is it mostly just peace of mind?
I totally get where you’re coming from—sometimes it feels like overkill to do those camera inspections, but honestly, I’ve seen them save people a ton of money and headaches. Had a buddy who thought his main line was fine, then a routine camera check found tree roots starting to creep in. He got it cleared before it turned into a full-blown disaster. It’s not always necessary, but if you’ve got older pipes or big trees nearby, it’s worth considering. Peace of mind isn’t nothing, especially when you’re juggling rentals.
Title: Plumbing Check-Up Dilemma: DIY or Hire a Pro?
“It’s not always necessary, but if you’ve got older pipes or big trees nearby, it’s worth considering. Peace of mind isn’t nothing, especially when you’re juggling rentals.”
I’ll be honest, I used to think camera inspections were just another way for plumbers to pad the bill. But after living in a house built before WWII, I’ve changed my tune. Old pipes are a gamble—sometimes you’re fine for years, then suddenly you’re ankle-deep in water and cursing your past self for skipping the check.
DIY is great for small stuff—tightening a leaky faucet, swapping out a P-trap, maybe even snaking a slow drain. But when it comes to main lines or anything underground, I don’t mess around anymore. Tried renting one of those inspection cameras once... ended up with grainy footage and no clue what I was looking at. Not worth the hassle or the guesswork.
Had a similar situation to your buddy—roots from a neighbor’s maple found their way into my old clay pipes. Didn’t notice until the toilet started gurgling every time it rained. If I’d waited, I’d probably be looking at a full sewer replacement instead of just a cleaning and patch.
I get that it feels like overkill sometimes, especially if you haven’t had issues before. But with old plumbing or big trees, it’s like playing Russian roulette with your wallet. The peace of mind is real—plus, if you ever sell or rent out the place, having proof that you’ve kept up with inspections can save you some headaches with buyers or tenants down the line.
Bottom line: DIY for the easy stuff, but for anything major or if you’ve got old pipes? Pay for the pro with the camera. It’s not cheap, but neither is digging up your yard because you tried to save a few bucks.
