Plumber on speed dial vs. plumbing apps—what's your go-to?
Totally get what you mean about the thrill—sometimes it’s more adrenaline than I bargained for, though. I’m all about saving a few bucks, so I usually try to fix stuff myself before calling in the cavalry. Last time my faucet was dripping, I followed this step-by-step from some guy on YouTube who made it look way too easy. Spoiler: It was not. Ended up with a soaked shirt and a new respect for Teflon tape.
Now, I always start by shutting off the water (learned that one the hard way). Then I’ll watch a couple videos, pause every two seconds, and take it slow. Sometimes I win, sometimes I end up texting my neighbor who actually knows what he’s doing. Honestly, as long as it’s not sewage or something flooding, I’ll give it a shot. There’s a weird satisfaction in knowing you fixed something yourself—even if it takes twice as long and three extra trips to the hardware store.
There’s a weird satisfaction in knowing you fixed something yourself—even if it takes twice as long and three extra trips to the hardware store.
That right there sums it up. I’ve definitely been in the “pause every two seconds” club, and yeah, sometimes it feels like you’re just one wrong twist away from a mini disaster. But honestly, figuring out how stuff works (or doesn’t) is half the fun for me. The first time I tried to swap out a leaky hose bib, I thought I’d just unscrew it and pop on a new one. Turns out, there’s a bit more to it—ended up learning about pipe dope and why over-tightening is a thing.
You’re spot on about shutting off the water first. It’s such a simple step but so easy to forget when you’re in “fix-it” mode. And hey, even if you have to call in backup or text that neighbor, at least you gave it a shot. That’s how you learn. Plus, next time you’ll probably nail it—or at least know what not to do.
I can’t even count how many times I’ve started a “simple” plumbing fix and ended up learning the hard way. Last year, I tried replacing a toilet fill valve—figured it was just a swap, right? Ended up with a tiny flood in the bathroom because I missed shutting off the supply valve tight enough. You’re right, it’s those little steps that trip you up, especially when you’re eager to get things working again.
I’ve found that having a good plumbing app on hand can save a lot of frustration. The step-by-step guides and diagrams help me visualize what I’m supposed to do, especially if I’m not totally sure about the parts. Still, sometimes nothing beats calling someone who’s done it before—my neighbor has rescued me more than once.
The satisfaction of getting it right yourself is hard to beat, though. Even if it takes twice as long and you end up learning about things like Teflon tape the hard way.
Plumbing apps are handy for quick reference, but I’ve learned the hard way that nothing beats having a reliable plumber’s number when things go sideways. One leak in a tenant’s unit at 2am taught me that. Do you ever draw a line on what you’ll DIY versus call in a pro?
I know what you mean—apps are cool for quick checks, but when water’s pouring out at 2am, you just want someone who actually picks up the phone. I’ll mess around with small fixes, like swapping out a faucet or tightening a connection, but anything with hidden pipes or major leaks? That’s where I tap out. No shame in calling in backup. Sometimes saving a few bucks on DIY just isn’t worth the stress... or the mess.
