Lots of people take pride in being able to do little fixes around the house. Unless you’re really all thumbs, handling a leaky faucet, unclogging a toilet, or installing a new shower head are among the most common DIY plumbing tasks.

But sometimes plumbing fixtures require experience and knowledge that goes beyond a quick internet search or a novice’s skill level. Let’s look at when to do it yourself and when to hire a pro when installing plumbing fixtures.

Why Do It Yourself?

Going the DIY route is tempting. For one thing, it’s cheaper than hiring a plumber, who charges by the hour. According to HomeAdvisor, plumbers cost about $45 to $200 per hour, with most jobs running about $331. Actual prices vary depending on the job and location.

There’s also the personal satisfaction in being able to handle a particular problem yourself.

DIY projects involve some costs, but these are for parts and tools, not the labor fees of a professional plumber. Common DIY projects include:

Installing Shower Heads

Many homeowners install their own shower heads as well as hand showers. Both items typically include detailed instructions with the purchase and possibly even the recommended tools, such as an adjustable wrench, a pipe wrench, a basin wrench, silicone sealant, and Teflon tape. These instructions usually include step-by-step illustrations, such as showing how wrapping one end of the shower rod with about three rounds of Teflon tape helps ensure a good seal.

Replacing a Faucet

Some people might also be able to replace a bathroom sink faucet or kitchen sink faucet themselves. Again, these items typically come with detailed instructions and illustrations outlining the recommended tools and offering advice.

For instance, we recommend flushing plumbing lines to clear any debris, and shutting off the hot and cold water supply under the sink before getting started. We also advise plugging the sink drain with a cloth to avoid losing small parts.

Installing New Appliances Such as a Dishwasher, Washing Machine, or Toilet

Again, these types of items come with detailed instructions. You also can talk with someone at a home store or do additional research to gauge whether this is beyond your level of expertise.

Important Considerations Before DIY Projects

Before taking on a DIY plumbing project, however, it’s important to be honest with yourself. Learning how to do something online or from a book or instructions is a lot different from having hands-on experience.

While you might have a high confidence level, consider the age of your home, any safety risks, and the type of job. As experts note, plumbing requires specialized training. Does the job involve anything that needs to be up to building codes? How much experience do you have with handling plumbing parts and connections? Not having a feel for how hard you can crank on a certain type of pipe before it cracks can turn what might have been a $10 repair into a flood.

Doing something yourself also doesn’t protect against any water damage. Plumbers have state licensure as well as a minimum of $500,000 liability insurance.

When to Hire a Professional Plumber

Naturally, if you have any type of plumbing emergency, don’t hesitate to call in a pro. We also recommend hiring a plumber for these types of jobs:

Hot Water Heater and Septic Troubles

A professional plumber is a must for a hot water heater on the fritz, septic issues, or a regular toilet overflowing. A professional plumber has extensive experience handling large water connections and will know which lines to turn off accurately so that you don’t have a burst pipe or a larger problem on your hands.

Remodeling or Renovation Projects

If you have a plumbing project that’s part of a renovation or remodeling project, such as replacing a sink or a tub, you’ll also need to hire a plumber. A professional plumber will be familiar with building codes and permits for this type of work. A plumber will also ensure your home is safe throughout the process and that any connections are correct before completing the job.

Repairing a Sump Pump

Typically found in a basement, a sump pump removes water from a home’s basin and pumps it outside to areas such as a storm drain. A plumber can determine which parts might need replacing and will have the proper equipment to evaluate and repair a sump pump.

Installing a Sprinkler System

A sprinkler system affects the appearance and care of your lawn, so we recommend both a professional landscaper and a plumber for this type of work. These pros can check that the water supply reaches each sprinkler correctly and that there are no drainage issues within the grade of the lawn.

Internal Plumbing Issues

If you see water spots on a ceiling or wall, or if your toilet, sink, or shower doesn’t have adequate water pressure, call a professional plumber. They’ll know how to best assess what type of problem you have and can say whether you need to open up a wall or the ceiling to get to the issue. (We recommend clarifying whether you’ll need to hire a separate contractor to repair a ceiling, wall, or flooring if the problem is that severe.)

External Plumbing Issues

Sometimes, you might have plumbing problems that are simply out of your control. A city water pipe might become damaged and burst, or tree roots might poke into one of your home’s sprinkler lines or water lines. This is much too large a project for someone to DIY because it often involves excavating land to find the source of the problem.

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Plumber

Before hiring a pro, we recommend asking these questions to ensure they have the proper credentials:

• May I see your license? Also ask if they have updated training or certifications through a professional association.
• What type of insurance do you have?
• Do you have past customers I can speak to as references? You’ll want to know whether their jobs were completed on time, whether there were any unexpected expenses, and if they’d hire this plumber again. You can likely find reviews posted online from prior customers.
• What’s your experience with this type of job?
• Can I have an estimate in writing? Some plumbers will provide a free initial estimate, but before hiring anyone, ask for a firm number — something that won’t change, regardless of the materials and time involved. Also, ask for a price cap that the plumber won’t exceed.
• How do you expect to be paid? Most professional plumbers charge per milestone on large projects. For smaller projects, it’s common to pay upon completion of the job. Never hire anyone who requires full payment upfront.

If you have more questions about whether you can handle a DIY job yourself, talk with our kitchen and bath experts at (877) 252-7277. They can explain the level of detail involved in a project, such as replacing a faucet or toilet, and also help with selecting a traditional or contemporary product for your home.