DIY Plumbing – You May Want to Reconsider

With the current economic conditions, more and more homeowners are turning to do-it-yourself projects in areas that they may have previously called a professional.  The success of the home improvement stores such as Menard’s and Home Depot are a testimony to this.  The contractors may shop there, but their main customers are DIY’ers.

While many handy homeowners may be able to take on some home remodeling and repair projects and get them done well, there are areas where you probably want the help of a professional contractor.  Plumbing is one of them.  Some of the products sold in the plumbing aisle are actually illegal for use in Minnesota, or are not legal for certain applications.  Ignore the pictures and advice on the product packaging – the manufacturer is not the final building code authority.  For some glaring plumbing errors, check out this article by a Minnesota building inspector.

When your home needs repair and remodeling, be realistic about what you can take on yourself, and when it’s time to call a pro.