If your Shakopee, MN, plumbing is broken, it might be tempting to pull up a how-to video and try to fix it yourself. However, DIY plumbing repairs can lead to quite a few issues. Before you try to repair something yourself, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of DIY plumbing.

The Pros of DIY Plumbing

Here are some of the main reasons that people choose to do DIY repairs.

It Might Be Cheaper at First

Cost is a huge factor in most DIY repairs. While you still have to pay for all the parts and tools, you don’t have to pay anyone else for the hours they spend working on your plumbing. If you don’t want to pay the upfront cost to hire a plumber, you may think DIY might be your only option.

Learning About Plumbing

Some people prefer to go with DIY repairs simply because they find the process interesting. If you’re mechanically inclined and enjoy tinkering around with your home’s systems, DIY repairs provide you with plenty of hands-on experience. For some people, a broken plumbing system is a chance to whip out their toolbox and start experimenting.

The Cons of DIY Plumbing

While DIY plumbing does have its perks, it also comes with a lot of major downsides.

Repairs Take Longer

When you learn as you go, repairs take much longer. Not only do you have to stop and watch tutorials, but you might also find yourself needing to make repeated trips to a hardware store. Jobs that take a professional plumber a few minutes can take a homeowner hours. If you value your time or need repairs to be done as soon as possible, a professional plumber is a better choice. 

Potential Injuries 

Plumbers go through a lot of training that helps them manage their job safely. They know how to operate power tools correctly, avoid electrocution, prevent contamination from raw sewage, and protect themselves from toxic fumes. DIY homeowners who operate without all this guidance can run into issues. In some cases, you might just end up with a few inconvenient cuts or a bruised fingernail. However, you might also encounter some serious dangers. Roughly 3% of all emergency visits come from people who were injured doing DIY work. 

You’ll Likely Face More Problems in the Future

Another big risk with DIY plumbing repairs is that you might not do them correctly. Since homeowners don’t have actual training in plumbing work, they’re likely to make mistakes. Around 60% of DIY projects end with some sort of issue. Often, people end up needing to call a plumber to fix both the original problem and the problems caused by their makeshift repairs. Plumbing is one of the most dangerous things to do on your own because if your repairs fail, you can face disastrous consequences. Even little mistakes, like not tightening a connection, can lead to major water damage that completely ruins walls or floors.

Your Work Might Not Be Up to Code

Most regulations and guidelines for plumbing require you to have a licensed plumber do the work. When you choose to go the DIY route, you might be skipping a lot of regulations. This can lead to problems like voided warranties on plumbing fixtures or fines from your local municipality. You might also find that if your DIY repairs cause any more damage, your insurance company will refuse to pay for the repairs because your policy says you’re supposed to work with professional plumbers.

Which Choice Is Right for You?

Now that you know the pros and cons of DIY plumbing, it’s time to make a decision. You’ll need to think about your personal priorities and figure out what will work best for your situation. For most people, DIY repairs will not be worth it. Though you might save a little money upfront, it’s likely to lead to big expenses and huge inconveniences in the future. Unless you’re a trained plumber yourself, most plumbing issues should be left to the professionals.

If you’d like to learn more about your options for repairs in Shakopee, Affinity Plumbing and Water Conditioning is happy to help. Our team can assess your situation and suggest ways to get effective yet affordable repairs. We can install and repair hot water heaters, water conditioning units, and sump pumps. To schedule your service visit, contact Affinity Plumbing and Water Conditioning now.