Had a similar experience when I tackled the plumbing in my old Victorian—thought I'd save some cash reusing copper fittings. Worked fine indoors, but outside was another story...ended up redoing it twice. Sometimes DIY is great, but knowing when to call a pro saves headaches.
I get the caution, but honestly, outdoor plumbing isn't always a pro-only zone. Did mine last summer—just had to research weatherproofing and pick up some fittings meant for outside. Saved a good chunk of money, too...might depend on your comfort level with trial and error though.
Totally get where you're coming from on this. Plumbing can seem intimidating at first, but honestly, once you dive in, it's not always rocket science. I tackled a similar outdoor plumbing project on a rental property last spring—initially had my doubts, but figured I'd give it a shot before calling in the cavalry. Watched a few YouTube vids, chatted with the folks at the hardware store (those guys are gold mines of info), and ended up doing just fine.
You're spot-on about weatherproofing, though. That's one area you don't wanna skimp or get lazy—learned that the hard way when I had to redo part of my setup after a surprise cold snap cracked a fitting. But hey, that's part of the DIY journey, right? Trial and error is definitely a factor; some people love that challenge, others not so much.
If you're comfortable getting your hands dirty and don't mind occasionally having to redo something, DIY can be super rewarding—not just financially but personally too. Saving cash is great, but there's also something pretty satisfying about stepping back and knowing you handled it yourself.
But yeah, comfort level matters big-time. If plumbing stresses you out or you're dealing with something tricky like underground lines or complicated valve setups, sometimes hiring a pro can save headaches down the road. I've done both routes depending on the situation—sometimes DIY feels right; other times I just bite the bullet and call someone in.
Either way, good on you for giving it a shot and sharing your experience. Always cool seeing people step outside their comfort zones and making things happen themselves...
I feel this. I tried DIY plumbing once—felt like a hero till the kitchen sink leaked two days later, lol. Now I DIY the easy stuff but call in pros for anything sketchy or complicated...lesson learned the soggy way.
Been there myself. Thought I'd save a few bucks replacing a bathroom faucet—seemed straightforward enough. Everything looked good until I noticed a slow drip under the cabinet a week later. Turns out I'd overtightened a fitting and cracked it slightly. Ended up costing more to fix my "money-saving" DIY than if I'd just called someone in the first place.
Now, I stick to stuff like swapping showerheads or unclogging drains. Anything involving pipes behind walls or under floors...nope, that's pro territory for me.
Curious though, how do you guys decide what's "easy enough" to DIY and what's better left to a plumber? Is it based on complexity, tools needed, or just gut feeling?
