DIY Plumbing can cost you a fortune - and invalidate your insurance

Millions of Brits risk damaging their home if they turn to DIY plumbing - and being unable to claim on their insurance to fix the problems they created.

According to experts from MyBuilder.com, the reliable way to hire tradespeople, many DIY plumbing jobs become more expensive than just calling the professionals in. Worse than that, if jobs are done incorrectly, they can cause serious damage to your home - and can even render it unsafe.

From leaky pipes to patchy radiators, most homes have plumbing problems from time to time that need to be addressed. Some can cause water bills to spiral, while others can cause energy bills to rise. Some may even cause damage to homes through floods or fires.

While it may be tempting to try and address these jobs without help, many require trained professionals and you could even invalidate your insurance should you complete them yourself, only to find damage later. Recent research found that only 16 per cent of insurance policies cover accidental damage in your home - and even fewer will pay out if they can prove works undertaken were not done by a qualified professional.

Mike Flook, plumbing expert from MyBuilder.com, said it's always worth erring on the side of caution when you have a plumbing problem in your home.

"Plumbing usually involves water - and if it goes wrong, water in places it shouldn't be can wreak havoc on your home. Aside from that, certain jobs require signing off from a professional and you could be on the wrong side of the law if you do it yourself.

"Many tools used by professional plumbers are very specialist and expensive - so while it may seem cheaper to try and DIY, it's often a false economy and can be dangerous."

 

Fixing leaking pipes 

Water can cause a lot of damage to your home and be costly to repair or could leave permanent damage. If a leaky pipe is not fixed properly, a number of issues could occur such as rot, mould growth, wall and ceiling discoloration, sagging floors and ceilings, peeling paint, increased water bills and a decrease in the water pressure. If you find a significant leak, locate your stop tap immediately, isolate your water supply then call an emergency plumber. Most homes have an internal stop tap, often located under the sink, under the stairs or a kitchen cupboard. You may also have an outdoor stop tap located outside your home, often outside the front of the property on the pavement. However, these are the property of the local water authority, so it's recommended not to touch this unless you're a professional. It's important to know where your stop tap is - recent research from MyBuilder.com found that 12 per cent of homeowners had no idea where theirs was. Being able to switch off your water promptly in the event of an emergency can make a huge difference to how much damage a leak causes.

 

Plumbing in radiators

Plumbing in a radiator is not an easy task for someone unqualified. There are also several stages of the process including turning the heating system off, draining the old radiator, sealing pipes as well as having the right tools and equipment. The price of the tools alone may be more than calling out an expert. There is also the possibility of causing damage to your property during the installation. Floorboards, walls, pipes could be damaged trying to disconnect or move the radiator as well as possible water damage if there is a leak from the radiator. A large radiator can hold around 10-12 litres of water, which could cause a lot of damage to your flooring or carpet.

 

Changing taps

Changing your bathroom taps sounds like a quick and simple job, however a lot of people make this assumption and get it wrong. Firstly, it is always better to buy new taps; It is likely that old taps have worn or damaged parts or are clogged with limescale, therefore once refitted, you would only have to change these parts again at a later date. You also need to ensure you have turned off your water supply before removing the old taps. Professional plumbers are often able to source discounted materials as part of their profession, so you can save money buying through them. Once the taps are fitted, it is essential that pipes are properly sealed to avoid leaks. It is also vital that the fittings are not over tightened, which can lead to the pipes cracking.

 

Plumbing in a toilet

There are many stages in the process of plumbing in a new toilet (as well as removing the old toilet) and therefore many ways it could go wrong. You will also need an array of tools and equipment, some of which are not common tools that you are likely to already own. Installing a new toilet requires isolating the water supply, removing and installing bolts for the toilet, detaching and reattaching pipes and installing the cistern. Some cisterns may already be installed and concealed however, which will definitely require a professional plumber. You will also need to ensure you purchase the correct toilet for your property as well as disposing of your old toilet correctly.

 

Electrical work in the bathroom

If you require any electrical work in your bathroom, an electrician must be called. Electrical jobs in bathrooms could include lighting, electric radiators, extractor fans, electrical mirrors or under floor heating. All of these types of work are regulated and notifiable, so a qualified professional must be used to install. Bathrooms are considered special zones in terms of electrical works, due to the fact that it's a room that requires water for use and therefore the risk of electrocution is higher.

 

What tools would you need and how much do they cost?

Doing any of these plumbing jobs yourself, not only requires some dedicated time, but also the right tools for the job. Some jobs may require more than one person too. 

A set of tools to complete plumbing jobs could easily set you back hundreds of pounds.  The main tools required for plumbing jobs include Hammer, £15, Spanner £10, Tube cutter £30, Pliers £30 and bigger options like a Jigsaw from £165 or Circular saw for £150. 

 

Do you really want to fix this yourself?

The other final consideration with some plumbing jobs is do you REALLY want to do the job yourself? Unblocking drains, dealing with blocked toilets, squeezing under stairs and cupboards or working in hot and dirty conditions. Sometimes it is the better option to pay someone to do these jobs for you, with peace of mind about the quality of the work and a less stressful approach.