Plumber on speed dial vs. plumbing apps—what's your go-to?

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had decent luck with plumbing apps for the basics. Here’s how I break it down:

- Quick stuff (running toilet, slow drain): I’ll try the app first. The video guides are usually clear enough, and I like knowing exactly what’s going on before I call anyone.
- Anything involving water behind walls or weird noises: That’s a hard pass for me. Not worth risking a bigger mess.
- One time, I tried to fix a leaky shutoff valve myself… ended up with a soaked cabinet and a lesson learned.

Bottom line, apps are handy for troubleshooting, but if I’m even a little unsure, I’m dialing the pro. Peace of mind is huge when you’re new to all this.

I totally get the “lesson learned” part—been there, done that.

One time, I tried to fix a leaky shutoff valve myself… ended up with a soaked cabinet and a lesson learned.

My first attempt at fixing a dripping faucet turned into a full-on waterworks show in my kitchen. I do like how the apps break things down, but sometimes I feel like they make it look way easier than it actually is. Still, for stuff like unclogging a drain or figuring out why the toilet won’t stop running, I’ll give it a shot. But if there’s even a hint of water where it shouldn’t be, I’m not risking it. Calling in the pros is expensive, but mopping up a flood is worse.

I do like how the apps break things down, but sometimes I feel like they make it look way easier than it actually is.

Yep, been burned by that too. My first “easy” fix was a toilet flapper—thought I nailed it, but it kept running all night. Here’s my step-by-step: watch the app video, pause constantly, double-check parts, and have a towel handy... just in case. If water starts showing up where it shouldn’t, I’m out. Pros are pricey, but honestly, I’d rather pay than deal with warped cabinets again.

Honestly, I get it—apps make it look like you’ll be done in five minutes, but reality’s messier. I’ve tried to DIY a leaky faucet, thinking it’d be “eco-friendly” to fix it myself, but ended up calling a plumber anyway. Ever try those water-saving kits?

I totally get where you’re coming from—those apps make it look like you just twist a wrench and boom, problem solved. I tried one of those “fix it in 10 minutes” tutorials for a running toilet, and let’s just say it turned into a two-hour ordeal and a lot of mopping. As for water-saving kits, I’ve installed a few. Some are decent, but honestly, if your plumbing’s old or quirky, they can be more hassle than help. Sometimes calling in a pro is just less stressful, even if you want to be eco-friendly.