Couldn't agree more about knowing your limits. Reminds me of the time I thought I'd quickly swap out a shower valve—ended up spending half the weekend chasing down leaks and making multiple trips to the hardware store. DIY plumbing can be rewarding, but it's sneaky like that... what looks straightforward can spiral fast.
One thing I'd add is that sometimes the age of your plumbing matters a lot. Older pipes and fixtures can be brittle or corroded, and even a small tweak can lead to bigger issues down the line. If you're dealing with older plumbing, it might be worth getting a pro to at least give it a once-over. I've seen plenty of DIYers accidentally crack old galvanized pipes or strip threads because they underestimated how fragile things can get over time.
Either way, sounds like you're approaching this thoughtfully—good luck!
Totally relate to your shower valve adventure... plumbing always seems to have its own sneaky surprises, doesn't it? Good point about older pipes too—sometimes it's hard to know what's lurking behind those walls until you start poking around. Have you thought about maybe just getting a pro inspection first, then deciding if it's DIY-able from there? Either way, sounds like you're on the right track. Good luck!
I get the logic behind recommending a pro inspection first, but honestly, in my experience, inspections aren't always as revealing as you'd hope. Plumbing can be tricky—sometimes even a thorough inspection won't catch hidden corrosion or weak joints until you actually open up the wall and start working. I've seen homeowners pay for an inspection only to find more surprises later anyway.
If you're fairly comfortable with DIY and have some basic plumbing skills, it might make sense to carefully open things up yourself first. Just take it slow, shut off the water properly, and be prepared for unexpected issues. Older pipes especially can be unpredictable...but if you're cautious and methodical, you might save yourself the cost of an inspection that might not tell the full story anyway. Of course, if things look questionable once you get in there, that's definitely the time to call in a pro before going further.
Totally feel you on this one. I live in a house built in 1927, and let me tell you, plumbing here is like playing whack-a-mole—fix one thing, another pops up!
"Older pipes especially can be unpredictable..."
Haha, understatement of the year right there. I've had inspections that came back squeaky clean, only to open up a wall and find pipes held together by rust and sheer optimism. So yeah, if you're handy enough and not afraid to get a little wet (or a lot wet, let's be honest), carefully exploring it yourself might save some cash and headaches down the line. Just keep plenty of towels handy...and maybe a bucket or two.
Worst-case scenario, you get halfway in and realize it's above your pay grade—then call in the cavalry. Either way, good luck and may your pipes be kinder to you than mine have been lately.
Honestly, with older homes sometimes DIY ends up costing more in the long run. Tried it myself once...ended up flooding half my kitchen. Hiring a pro from the start might save some sanity (and towels).
