Is Your Issue a DIY Project?
No one likes sudden, unexpected costs, especially when it comes to our home. Often, issues can be expensive to repair and disruptive to your comfort. The pull to ‘Do It Yourself’ (DIY) can be strong, especially if it seems simple enough. If you have the knowledge, confidence, and tools to get it done, we can’t fault you. What we can do, however, is help you decide if you have a DIY repair on your hands or if you should consider a professional.
No Going Back
When it comes to fixing something that is broken or installing something new, there is often no going back once you get started. Demo is typically the first point of no return. Since most plumbing or HVAC issues take place behind walls, it’s common to have to break through drywall to get at the root of the issue. Cutting pipes for leak repairs is also a point of no return. If you don’t have shut off valves to isolate the issue, your entire home’s plumbing can be off if you are unable to complete the project. If you have baseboard heat, for example, you may also be knocking out your heat source as well.
Make Sure You Are Equipped
A proper repair requires that you have the right supplies for the job. If you don’t know or have exactly what you need on hand, you may be faced with multiple trips to a supplier or home center to get the proper material.
Tools are another hurdle you may come across. While many tools aren’t that expensive, others can cost hundreds of dollars. Not having the right tools for a repair or installation can make things very difficult/impossible.
Do You Have the Time?
Considering what we’ve already mentioned, ask yourself if you have the time to perform an installation or repair. For example, if you have a full-time job, working on these projects can be difficult off hours, especially if you need materials and your local supply store is closed. Similarly, ask yourself if you can live in your home without water or heat for hours or even days if you are unable to complete the work.
Will Your Work Last
Of course, the hope is that whatever you end up working on stands the test of time. The last thing you want is something like a water leak flaring up behind your wall after a short period of time. By then, it’s likely you have repaired and repainted drywall, installed your finishings and moved on from the mess and hassle of the project. A serious water leak from a DIY repair can set you back to square one.
Going the Professional Route
For all the work, hassle and risk involved with a DIY repair, you may want to consider calling and professional and having the work done for you. Any reputable service provider is licensed and insured, has the right tools for the repair and can get in and out of your home with minimal disruption. If anything were to go wrong, most professionals guarantee their work for a set amount of time, offering you peace of mind that the job was done correctly. Moreso, it can save you time and money in the long run if it means avoiding unnecessary damage, wasted materials and unnecessary tools you would otherwise purchase if you went the DIY route.
McMackin Mechanical has years of experience serving the Doylestown and greater Bucks County community with quality installation and repair services. If you are experiencing HVAC and/or plumbing issues, give our office a call and a member of our team will get your scheduled right away.
