In the age of online tutorials and home improvement stores in every city, it’s easy to feel like you can take on any household repair yourself. But when it comes to your plumbing system, a seemingly simple fix can lead to extensive damage, expensive repairs, and even denied insurance claims. Yikes!
At Hansen Family Plumbing & Air, we’ve seen firsthand the consequences of do-it-yourself plumbing jobs gone wrong from hidden leaks under newly installed toilets to extensive water damage caused by incorrectly placed shower valves. If you’re tempted to try your hand at plumbing, here’s what you need to know first.
Why DIY Plumbing is Riskier Than It Looks
Plumbing systems are far more complex than most people realize. It’s not just about connecting pipes, it’s about understanding water pressure, proper slope for drainage, fitting materials, sealants, and building codes. Even a small deviation from best practices can result in major consequences.
One of the most overlooked risks are leaks, the silent destroyers that can slowly damage your home from the inside out.
How Inaccurate Plumbing Leads to Leaks (and Why That’s a Big Deal)
Even if your DIY installation seems to work at first, here’s how inaccurate plumbing can go wrong:
- Improper sealing around fixtures (like faucets or toilets) allows water to seep into cabinetry, floors, or walls over time.
- Incorrect pipe angles or slopes prevent proper drainage, causing water to sit in the pipes and eventually leak through joints.
Using incompatible materials, like mismatched fittings or low-quality sealants, increases the chance of deterioration and failure. - Over-tightened fittings can crack pipes or damage threads, causing slow, unnoticed leaks that worsen with time.
- Failure to pressure-test systems means you could miss a leak entirely—until it causes water damage.
The result? Mold, structural rot, inflated water bills, and repairs that often exceed the cost of having hired a licensed plumber in the first place.
The Home Insurance Factor: What Homeowners Need to Know
Most homeowners assume that if something goes wrong, their insurance will step in. But that’s not always the case, especially with DIY plumbing. Many insurance policies include fine print that excludes coverage for damage caused by unlicensed work, lack of permits, or neglect.
What this means for homeowners in the Greater Phoenix region:
- If a pipe bursts due to improper installation, you may be fully responsible for water damage repairs.
- If your renovation doesn’t meet code, your claim could be denied.
- If mold develops because of a slow leak from your DIY install, remediation may not be covered, especially if the insurance company determines the leak was preventable.
Working with a licensed, insured plumber ensures any installation or repair is done up to code and provides the documentation you need to protect your home and financial investment.
The Most Common Risks Involved with DIY Plumbing Jobs
Toilet Replacement
A misaligned toilet or poorly installed wax ring can cause water to leak under the toilet and into the subfloor. Over time, this creates structural damage, mold, and foul odors. Often, the leak isn’t discovered until flooring starts warping or until the ceiling below begins to stain.
Faucet Replacement
Homeowners often forget to fully shut off water, use the wrong size fittings, or overtighten connections. This leads to pinhole leaks that cause damage behind cabinets and inside vanities. Even a few drops per minute add up over weeks or months.
Garbage Disposal Installation
Disposals involve both plumbing and electrical components. A loose mounting bracket or improperly sealed flange can cause water to leak under the sink, potentially soaking cabinetry and damaging flooring before you realize anything is wrong.
Less Common DIY Projects With Even Bigger Risks
While fewer homeowners attempt these, we’ve seen our fair share of problems when they do:
Shower Installation
Improper placement of shower valves or lack of proper waterproofing can result in leaks behind walls. These types of leaks are especially dangerous because they can go undetected for months or years, causing mold, drywall damage, and rot inside the wall cavity.
Full Bathroom Renovations
Many DIYers skip permitting or rely on guesswork when re-routing water lines. Issues like poor pipe support, lack of venting, or incorrect slope can cause persistent drainage issues and leaks inside floors and walls.
Moving Water Lines
Changing pipe routes or rerouting supply lines without knowledge of pipe sizing, pressure balancing, or isolation valves can result in pressure fluctuations, pipe bursts, or water hammer. Improper support and insulation can also lead to long-term failures.
Why You Should Hire a Licensed Plumber Instead
When you hire a licensed plumber, you’re not just paying for the installation, you’re investing in peace of mind and long-term protection.
Licensed plumbers ensure:
- Compliance with all plumbing codes and permitting requirements
- Proper water pressure balancing and drainage slope
- Use of the correct materials and fittings
- Thorough pressure testing before job completion
- Insurance coverage for their work and any accidental damage
You also retain warranty protections on many fixtures and appliances that could be voided if not professionally installed.
DIY Might Save You Today but Cost You Tomorrow
The upfront savings of DIY plumbing may look appealing, but the risks simply aren’t worth it. Between the potential for water damage, denied insurance claims, costly repairs, and health hazards from mold, what seems like a small project can turn into a big headache.
At Hansen Family Plumbing & Air, we’re here to help Greater Phoenix homeowners avoid costly mistakes and protect what matters most, their homes and families. Whether you’re planning a remodel or just need a quick repair, trust our licensed experts to get the job done right the first time.
Need help with a plumbing project?
Call Hansen Family Plumbing & Air today or book your appointment online. Your home deserves professional care, let us take it from here.
