When something goes wrong with your plumbing, you’re faced with a decision: try to fix it yourself or call a professional? Some plumbing tasks are well within the abilities of a handy homeowner, while others require professional expertise—and attempting them yourself can make the problem worse or even dangerous.
As Twin Falls plumbers with over 20 years of experience, we’ve seen the results of both successful DIY repairs and well-intentioned attempts that went sideways. Here’s our honest guide to help you decide when to grab your tools and when to grab your phone.
Plumbing Tasks You Can Probably Handle Yourself
These common plumbing issues are generally safe for DIY repair if you’re comfortable with basic tools and willing to watch a tutorial or two:
Unclogging a Drain
A single clogged sink or tub drain is usually caused by hair, soap buildup, or debris caught in the trap. Start with a plunger—the cup-style plunger for sinks, the flange plunger for toilets. If that doesn’t work, try a drain snake (also called a drain auger), which you can buy at any hardware store for under $30.
Skip the chemical drain cleaners—they can damage your pipes and rarely solve the underlying problem.
Replacing a Showerhead
Swapping out a showerhead is one of the easiest plumbing upgrades. Turn off the water (or don’t—a little spray won’t hurt), unscrew the old showerhead, wrap the threads with Teflon tape, and screw on the new one. No tools required beyond your hands, though pliers can help if the old one is stuck.
Fixing a Running Toilet
A toilet that runs constantly is usually caused by a worn flapper, faulty fill valve, or improperly adjusted float. Replacement parts are inexpensive (under $20 for a complete rebuild kit) and installation is straightforward—no special tools needed. There are excellent video tutorials online for every toilet brand and model.
Replacing a Faucet Aerator
If your faucet has weak or uneven water flow, the aerator (the screen at the tip of the faucet) may be clogged with mineral deposits. Unscrew it, clean it or replace it (they cost a few dollars), and screw it back on. This often solves low-pressure problems at a single faucet.
Shutting Off Water in an Emergency
Every homeowner should know how to shut off water to individual fixtures and to the whole house. Fixture shut-off valves are usually located under sinks and behind toilets. Your main shut-off valve is typically near where the water line enters your home. Knowing how to use these can prevent major water damage while you wait for a plumber.
When You Should Call a Professional Plumber
These situations require professional expertise, specialized tools, or carry risks that make DIY repair inadvisable:
No Hot Water
If your water heater stops producing hot water, the problem could be a faulty thermostat, heating element, gas valve, pilot light, or something more serious. Water heaters involve electricity, gas, and high temperatures—a combination that’s best left to professionals. Additionally, improper repairs can void your warranty or create safety hazards.
Multiple Clogged Drains
If more than one drain is slow or clogged, the problem is likely in your main sewer line, not individual drain pipes. Main line clogs require professional equipment like motorized drain snakes or hydro jetters—and diagnosing the cause often requires a camera inspection. Attempting to clear a main line clog yourself can damage your pipes.
Sewer Smell in Your Home
A sewage odor indicates a potentially serious problem—a dried-out P-trap, a cracked sewer line, a failed wax ring under a toilet, or a venting issue. Some of these are simple fixes, but diagnosing the cause requires expertise. Sewer gases can also be hazardous, so it’s best to have a professional identify and resolve the source.
Water Line Leaks
Leaks in supply lines—whether under the slab, in the walls, or underground—require professional repair. Finding the leak often requires specialized detection equipment, and repairs may involve cutting into walls or floors. Water line leaks can cause significant damage quickly if not addressed properly.
Low Water Pressure Throughout the House
If water pressure has dropped at all fixtures, the problem could be a failing pressure regulator, a leak in your main line, significant pipe corrosion, or an issue with the municipal supply. Diagnosing whole-house pressure problems requires testing at multiple points and understanding how your plumbing system works as a whole.
Installing New Plumbing
Adding a new sink, toilet, or water line is not a beginner project. New plumbing installations must meet building codes, may require permits, and involve connections to your existing system that need to be done correctly to prevent leaks and ensure proper function. A botched installation can lead to water damage, mold, and costly repairs down the road.
Anything Involving Gas Lines
If your plumbing issue involves a gas water heater, gas line, or any gas appliance, call a professional. Gas leaks are dangerous and can be fatal. Never attempt to repair or modify gas lines yourself.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
We understand the appeal of DIY—you save money and get the satisfaction of fixing something yourself. But plumbing mistakes can be expensive. We regularly see:
Water damage from improperly sealed connections. Flooded bathrooms from toilet installations gone wrong. Cross-connections that contaminate drinking water. Cracked pipes from using the wrong tools or techniques. Code violations that cause problems when selling a home.
In many cases, the cost of fixing a DIY mistake exceeds what it would have cost to hire a professional in the first place.
When in Doubt, Call Dynamic Plumbing
If you’re not sure whether a plumbing problem is DIY-appropriate, give us a call. We’re happy to discuss your situation over the phone and give you an honest assessment. Sometimes we’ll tell you it’s an easy fix you can handle yourself. Other times, we’ll explain why professional help is the better choice.
Dynamic Plumbing has been serving Twin Falls, Jerome, Burley, and the Magic Valley for over 20 years. We provide upfront pricing, quality workmanship, and honest advice. When you need a plumber, call us at (208) 613-9600.