The DIY Plumbing “Fixes” That Cost Homeowners the Most
OMG DI Why?!
There’s never been a better time to become a confident DIY homeowner. Between YouTube tutorials, Home Depot Demo days, and inexpensive tools online, almost anyone can attempt basic plumbing repairs. And to be fair, some jobs really are totally manageable with patience and a bit of preparation.
But there’s also a tempting list of plumbing and heating repairs that look simple… I mean how hard could it be to pressure wash the heat pump? Yet the picture above shows devesting results. The fins on that heat pump are now bent flat from excessive water pressure, and that is a major repair.
At R&B we support DIY, but it must be the right project. This blog will help you know when to DIY, and when to call R&B.
“It’s Just PEX” — The DIY Plumbing Trap
PEX changed everything for DIY repairs because it removed one of the biggest barriers to plumbing work: soldering. Suddenly homeowners could buy flexible pipe, inexpensive crimp tools, and fittings that seemed almost foolproof. The problem is that “easy” and “forgiving” are not the same thing.
Improperly crimped PEX fittings have become one of the most common hidden plumbing failures professionals encounter, and the source of large loss claims to insurance companies.
Sometimes the crimp ring is slightly crooked. Sometimes the pipe wasn’t fully seated before crimping. Other times the wrong fitting system gets mixed together, or the crimp pressure is just slightly off. But most of the time, the person just ‘missed the crimp’ all together.
Sometimes they pop off the moment the water is turned back on, but sometimes they wait until you’re enjoying a self-congratulatory beer. The connection may even hold for weeks or even months before a slow leak develops behind drywall or under flooring. By the time the leak becomes visible, and you activate your water shut off in a panic (get the Moen Flo!), the damage may already include mold, warped flooring, damaged cabinets, or ruined drywall.
Professionals, check and count, pressure-test systems before walls are closed and use gauges to confirm proper crimps because they know how unforgiving hidden leaks can become over time.
At R&B we don’t recommend that homeowners DIY PEX, but here are some of our own Success Tips:
- Use the correct crimp tool for the specific PEX system. The right size for the right size!
- Cut pipe perfectly square
- Always use a go/no-go gauge
- Pressure test before closing walls
- Support horizontal runs properly
- Check the work – really check it!
- Never ignore even a tiny drip after installation
When to Call a Plumber
Especially if the repair involves hidden piping, anything that needs a permit, connecting to older plumbing systems, or two dissimilar types of pipes, major water lines, or anything behind finished walls or ceilings, it’s always worth bringing in a professional before a minor mistake becomes major water damage.
1. Drain Cleaning Gone Wrong
Every homeowner has dealt with a clogged sink or slow drain, and it’s tempting to assume a plunger, rented snake or chemical cleaner will solve the issue quickly because most of the time it does! What we also regularly see are older drain systems cracked, or the seals blown out or punctured by aggressive drain cleaning attempts.
Older cast iron, clay, plastic, seals and even the longevity of copper can be weakened. Or piping may already be close to failure. Everything gets old, and poking an auger through the line can finish it off. Chemical drain cleaners can be just as damaging, especially in aging plumbing systems where repeated use corrodes pipes and weakens joints.
Other problems include pushing blockages deeper into the system making it harder to reach, or just poking a hole in it, instead of removing them entirely. What started as a slow kitchen drain can become chronic. Or may become a main line sewage backup.
The real issue is that homeowners are often treating the symptoms instead of the real cause. A recurring clog may also be tree roots, collapsed piping, grease buildup, or improper drainage slope — problems no bottle of drain cleaner can fix.
DIY Success Tips
- Start with a plunger before using chemicals. Seal the overflow hole or both sides of a double sink, fill the sink with water and GENTLY plunge.
- Try the snake next. Unscrew the pop-up drain (do not pry it off) and GENTLY extend the hand auger. Stop immediately if it hits hard resistance. Twist GENTLY to release if it gets stuck. Is there a clean out for access instead of by the drain? Use that.
- For sink clogs, look at the p-trap. Is it the type that can unscrew? If so, try that, but make sure you turn it the right way, and do not overtighten and crack! And remember these will be full of water so have a nice large Tupperware or bucket ready to catch that and your lost diamond ring.
- Avoid repeated use of drain cleaners but if you must use one, we recommend Whitlam Talon non-acidic. Non-acidic means pipe-safe but it does not mean it’s not dangerous: always wear gloves, mask, eye protection, and read the label!
When to Call a Plumber
If multiple drains are backing up, you smell sewage, clogs keep returning, or your home has older drain piping, orif you’ve gotten your hand auger stuck, and of course if things are leaking when you put them back together.
2. DIY Water Heater Replacement
Replacing a water heater seems straightforward when you watch it online. Drain the water, disconnect the old tank, reconnect the new one, fill, and enjoy hot water again by dinner.
In reality, modern water heater installations involve plumbing, electrical or gas connections, venting, pressure regulation, and code requirements -such as expansion tanks – that many homeowners don’t even realize exist. And they always require a permit.
One of the most common DIY mistakes is failing to install an expansion tank when one is required. This is a fairly new addition to the plumbing code so it might not be a part of your old system. Here’s the deal; In modern closed plumbing systems, heated water expands as pressure builds. Without an expansion tank to absorb that extra pressure, stress gets transferred into the water heater, pipes, valves, and fixtures throughout the house. Over time this can lead to leaking fittings, dripping relief valves, shortened appliance lifespan, or even premature tank failure.
The unfortunate part is that homeowners often don’t connect those future problems to the original DIY installation. They simply notice valves failing earlier than expected, pressure fluctuations, or mysterious leaks developing months later.
DIY Success Tips
- If you’re installing a natural gas hot water heater, have your gas ticket.
- Know whether your plumbing system or plumbing code requires an expansion tank
- Get a permit
- Service your hot water heater annually
- Test pressure relief valves regularly
When to Call a Plumber
For this one, call the plumber. Water heater installations are likely to involve gas lines, venting, pressure issues, electrical work, and permits. For full tank replacement, professional installation is usually safer and less expensive in the long run.
The Real Cost of DIY Plumbing
DIY repairs absolutely have their place. Homeowners should learn basic maintenance, understand where shutoff valves are located, and feel comfortable handling simple issues around the house.
But plumbing systems are interconnected, and small mistakes have a way of becoming expensive hidden problems over time.
You may not save money by hiring us to do this work for you but save yourself the headache at least! Call R&B for your PEX, drain cleaning, and hot water needs, but especially call us to service your heat pump!
