I get wanting to avoid tearing into those old walls, but honestly, sometimes patching plaster just adds more character. I know it sounds wild, but a little imperfection can look intentional if you lean into it. Plus, if you’re already worried about a full repipe down the line, maybe getting ahead of it now saves you from a bigger headache later. Those inspection cameras are cool, but they don’t always catch everything—especially in these quirky old houses.
I hear you on the old plaster—sometimes those patched spots just add to the story of the house. But man, I’ve opened up walls thinking it’d be a quick fix and found pipes that looked like they belonged in a museum. Cameras are handy, but they can’t spot every weird bend or corrosion hiding behind lath. If you’re already thinking about a repipe, might be worth biting the bullet now instead of patching over trouble. Just my two cents...
Title: Plumbing Check-Up Dilemma: DIY or Hire a Pro?
Yeah, those old pipes can be a real wild card. I’ve had more than one “quick” project turn into a weekend-long saga because the plumbing was basically held together by hope and ancient tape. I get the appeal of patching things up and moving on—sometimes that’s all you need, especially if the rest of the system looks decent. But if you’re seeing corrosion or those weird bends you mentioned, that’s usually a sign there’s more going on behind the walls.
I’ve tried using those little inspection cameras too, but honestly, they only tell you so much. They won’t catch every spot where the pipe’s about to spring a leak, and they definitely don’t help with those spots where the pipe runs behind three layers of who-knows-what. There was this one time I thought I’d just swap out a section under the sink—next thing I knew, half the kitchen wall was open and I was staring at a tangle of pipes that looked like something out of a horror movie.
If you’re already considering a repipe, it might save you headaches down the road to just go for it now. I know it’s not cheap, but neither is water damage when an old joint finally gives up. That said, I’ve also seen people go overboard and rip out stuff that could’ve lasted another decade with a simple fix. Guess it depends on how much risk you’re willing to take and whether you want to be tearing into walls again in a couple years.
One thing I’d add—if you do go DIY for some of it, at least have a pro look over your plan or check your work before you close everything up. A second set of eyes can catch stuff you might miss, especially in these old houses where nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems.
That’s exactly the kind of scenario I worry about—thinking it’s a quick fix, then suddenly you’re knee-deep in drywall dust and mystery pipes. I’ve patched a few things myself to save money, but I always second-guess if I’m just kicking the can down the road. Your point about having a pro check things over is spot on. Sometimes spending a little now saves you from a much bigger headache (and bill) later... especially with these old houses where nothing is ever standard.
I totally get where you’re coming from—old houses are full of surprises. I once thought I was just swapping out a faucet, and next thing I knew, I’d uncovered some ancient copper pipes that looked like they belonged in a museum. Ended up calling in a plumber anyway, but at least I didn’t have to redo the tile myself. Sometimes it’s worth the peace of mind, even if it stings the wallet a bit. Still, there’s something satisfying about tackling the small stuff on your own... as long as you know when to call it quits.
