Home DIY projects can save you a lot of money. Hiring a licensed plumber, for example, can cost you in both labor and material costs. With markups to materials, you could end up spending thousands of dollars over what it would cost you to complete a project. However, if you are going to DIY a plumbing project, it is important that you have the appropriate materials and that you know what you are doing. Going into the project unprepared could actually end up costing you more than it would to hire a licensed plumber in the first place.
Do plenty of research
Research is important when attempting a DIY project. Additionally, conducting research can inform you of how difficult a project actually is. If you are new to plumbing, it is never a good idea to attempt a difficult plumbing project. However, if others report the project as being a simple plumbing DIY project, it might be a good one to start with. You can find DIY plumbing information easily on the internet. Read a couple of DIY articles, join in discussions to get your questions answered, and watch videos for hands on examples.
Gather your needed materials
Even the smallest of plumbing projects require materials. Not only do you want to gather your expected materials, but it is also a good idea to gather materials that you might need, like stainless hose clamps. Stainless hose clamps are a good way to stop a plumbing leak until you can get the appropriately sized clamp or an adjustable hose clamp. A hose clamp or hose clip is a device used to attach and seal a hose onto a fitting such as a barb or nipple. Stainless hose clamps can be used in both planned fixes or for a plumbing emergency. You might find that your plumber uses them while attempting to shut off the water or to find the cause of a plumbing leak.
Have an emergency plumbing plan
What will you do if the plumbing problem is much worse than expected? Many DIY goers have opened up the plumbing and began work to find that the problem is above their skill level. If you are on a tight budget or do not have a plumber you can call, you can be stuck with non working plumbing. Make sure you have an emergency plumbing plan in place, just in case there are problems. Your emergency plan should include the number to a 24 hour plumber, knowledge of how to turn off the plumbing and plenty of stainless hose clamps to stop water leaks.
Consider scheduling a plumbing inspection
Improper plumbing repairs can end up costing you a lot of money. They can cause your water to regularly leak, increasing your home?s water bill. They can also increase the chance of a large water leak, which can lead to thousands of dollars in damage of water damages. After you have completed your DIY plumbing fix, it is a good idea to schedule a plumbing inspection. The cost of hiring a plumber for an inspection is much more affordable than hiring them to complete the repair. If they identify any problems, this could also end up saving you a lot of money by preventing water problems down the road.
Sometimes they can make minor changes to the DIY project that can save you thousands later. Stainless steel hose clamps are often used as heavy duty zip ties, or as a replacement for duct tape. Stuck hoses should never be removed by cutting or slitting them. This could leave a scratch on the barb, which will eventually cause a leak. This is just one of the plumbing things that a plumber could help with.
Some household projects are best left as a DIY project. This saves you money and increases your household repair knowledge. Before jumping into that DIY plumbing project though, make sure you are prepared and that you have done your fair share of research. Avoid making any small mistakes which could end up being expensive.
