Written by Joe Rantino
Updated: July 2024 by Joe Rantino.
Stop right there! Before you find a YouTube video to guide you through that DIY plumbing repair, you need to consider how a small plumbing job can turn into a huge disaster. We’ve seen it all at Gladesville Plumbing, and we’re here to share why calling a professional Sydney plumber is the smarter, safer choice.
Let’s take changing a washer on a dripping tap as an example. Do you really need a plumber for leaking tap problems? It’s a simple job but getting it wrong could lead to more complex repairs. Messing with taps when you don’t know what you’re doing can create water hammer issues. It’s loud, annoying and has the potential to cause a lot of damage. And the kicker, you’ll need to call a licensed plumber to fix it.
What counts as a small plumbing job?
Sydney plumbers are called to undertake a range of small plumbing jobs including:
- to connect a dishwasher
- replacing tap washers for leaking or dripping taps
- fridge water connection
- water filter installation
- repairing or replacing tapware
- clearing a slow-draining sink
- installing a new showerhead
- fixing a minor pipe leak
- unblocking drains
- toilet seal replacement and other repairs
- washing machine installation
- What small plumbing jobs can I do myself?
Plumbing is a licensed trade and is heavily regulated to ensure the safety of tradespeople and consumers. In many instances, unlicensed plumbing work is illegal and can attract huge fines. Regulations do differ between states, so it’s important to check that you’re complying with the rules where you live.
In NSW, you do not require a plumbing license to complete these plumbing tasks;
- Replacing washers and O-rings in leaking taps
- Changing a showerhead
- Unblocking simple drain blockages using a plunger or drain snake
- Clearing debris from gutters, downpipes and stormwater grates
- Connecting washing machine hoses to taps
Performing these small jobs yourself may be legal, but they’re not risk-free. People regularly underestimate the work required to complete minor plumbing tasks correctly. Avoid the risk. Contact the plumber Ryde residents rely on for the highest quality plumbing work at a fair price. Just call Joe!
How small plumbing jobs can become big problems
We’ve been providing professional plumbing services in Sydney for decades and we’ve seen some serious DIY disasters in that time. We understand that saving a buck is important for the household budget – but if people understood the true cost of DIY plumbing gone wrong, we think they’d call in a plumber for small jobs more often!
Here are just a few of the ways things can go wrong with ‘simple’ DIY plumbing.
Forgetting to Turn Off the Water Supply
For any plumbing task, the first action should be to turn off the water supply. You might be surprised by how many people forget this step and create chaos, even when it’s just a small plumbing job. Take care when turning off the water mains, as taps do wear over time. If older taps break, you’ll be stuck with two plumbing problems.
A Simple Tap Change
It sounds simple enough – you can pick up an extending tap at Ikea so how difficult can the change out really be? Flashback to the customer who called in our emergency services after changing their own taps. Assuming they’d done the job correctly, they headed away for the weekend, only to return to a flooded home with extensive – and expensive – water damage.
Taps can be tricky and it’s always best to use professional Sydney plumbing services if you don’t have the necessary experience to do the job yourself.
Photo by Nithin PA on Pexels
Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey
Most people think the danger of DIY is leaving fittings too loose, but you can create chaos by overtightening fittings, too. When you overtighten pipes and bolts, it creates excess pressure which can lead to cracking. It won’t create an immediate disaster. Instead, the chaos will build gradually as a slow leak left unattended leads to flooding. In the long run, making a call to a small job plumber can prevent making the call for emergency plumbing.
Overdoing the Drano
Slow-draining sinks and weird smells have most DIYers reaching for a powerful drain cleaner. It seems like a quick and easy solution, but this approach can create massive problems later. When used repeatedly, caustic cleaners can slowly eat away at pipes of all types. Damaged pipes lead to water leaks and flooding. The first step for a DIYer should be a snake to address the clog. If you don’t have the tools or the know-how, it’s time to speed-dial your plumber.
Confusing Parts
There are a lot of different working parts in plumbing, and you should know which fittings are used where and when during the process. If you get any parts confused, it could lead to disaster. Think terrible odours, violating plumbing codes, and flooding.
You want to avoid discovering you’re missing the right parts and tools to finish the job once it’s started. You should always have spare parts in case you uncover other issues while you’re working.
Insurance Claims Denied
When you undertake DIY plumbing in your home and something goes wrong, this can lead to property damage. Unlike licensed plumbers who have the necessary insurance to cover unforeseen problems, your home insurer may be disinclined to pay for your rookie mistakes. Check your insurance clauses around plumbing work and repairs. Unlicensed plumbing may be grounds for your insurance company to deny your claim, leaving you to foot the damage bill.
Do I need to hire a plumber for small plumbing jobs?
Yes! The simplest DIY plumbing tasks can go sideways. Getting it wrong may not attract a fine from your local council, but that doesn’t mean it won’t cost you dearly.
So don’t risk it. Gladesville Plumbing is the small job plumber Sydney residents call to get the job done right the first time. Put down the tools and pick up the phone instead. Let us take care of the dirty work for you!