Do I Need Broken Pipe Repair?

Your pipe is cracked or broken – do you need to hire a licensed plumber to do the repair or can you do plumbing repair yourself? Deciding whether to do DIY pipe repair or hire a local plumber depends on several factors. Here are some considerations to help you decide what to do:

Severity of the Damage: Assess the extent of the damage. If it's a minor leak or a small crack that you can easily access, you might consider attempting the repair yourself. However, if the damage is extensive or in a hard-to-reach area like in a wall, it's best to leave it to a top-rated plumbing company.

Plumbing Experience: Do you have any previous experience with plumbing repairs? If you have some basic plumbing skills and knowledge, you might be able to handle simple fixes like replacing a small section of pipe or tightening a joint. However, for more complex issues, it's safer to rely on a professional plumber who has the expertise to address the problem correctly. Remember, a licensed plumber’s work is insured, which means that if they make a mistake when completing the repair, the resulting damage will be covered.

Tools and Equipment: Consider the tools and equipment that might be needed for the repair. Basic repairs might only require common plumbing tools, but more involved tasks could demand specialized equipment that you may not have access to. Do your research to figure out which tools you will need and determine if it makes sense to buy or rent them to do the job, or if it would make more sense to hire an experienced plumber to do the work for you.

Safety Concerns: Working with water pipes can be hazardous, especially if you're not familiar with the process. If there's any risk of electrical components nearby or potential contamination from the leaking water, it's safer to hire a professional plumber who knows how to handle these kinds of difficult situations safely.

Time and Convenience: Plumbing repairs can be time-consuming. So, if you have limited time or experience, it may be more convenient to hire a plumber who can efficiently address the issue. Remember, plumbing repair cannot wait, so if you do not have the time right now to fix your broken pipe, you will need to hire a professional plumber to get the work done right away.

Warranty and Insurance: Keep in mind that some plumbing companies may warranty their work. Hiring a licensed plumber with a warranty ensures the work is done correctly and if it isn’t, you won’t pay to have the work re-done to fix it again. You have no such guarantee when doing the work yourself, which means that if your fix doesn’t hold (or worse yet, results in additional damage) you are on the hook for the time and money needed to attempt the fix again. 

In general, it's best to hire a professional plumber for anything beyond minor repairs like leaking fittings or loose fixtures. Attempting complex repairs without the necessary knowledge and experience can lead to further damage and potentially costlier repairs in the long run.

When you have a broken pipe give us a call at 1 (800) 674-9130 for local pipe repair!

Additional resources:
Who Fixes Broken Pipes?
Urgent Actions to Take When Pipes Break
Do Burst Pipes Require Emergency Help?
What Do I Do When a Pipe Breaks?
Who Pays to Repair Outdoor Pipes?
If a Pipe is Frozen, Will It Burst?
Pipe Repair Help in Winter
Broken Pipe Repair Tips
Who Repairs Broken Pipes?
Broken Pipe Repair Near Me
Is Burst Pipe Repair Expensive?
Fixing Broken Pipes Inside Walls
How to Fix Broken Pipes Surrounded by Concrete
How Expensive is it to Fix A Pipe Under the House?
Does Insurance Cover Broken Pipes?
Help! My Water Pipe Broke