Curious what most people do when they need a new drain put in. I’ve tried it myself and honestly, it wasn’t as easy as YouTube made it look (lots of swearing involved). Do you usually go the DIY route, or just hire someone and save the hassle? Or maybe you’ve got some horror stories to share?
Title: How do you usually tackle installing a new drain—DIY or call in a pro?
I’ve managed a handful of rental units over the years, and honestly, I’ve learned to pick my battles with plumbing. Simple clogs or replacing a P-trap? Sure, I’ll handle those myself. But actually installing a new drain—especially if it involves cutting into existing lines or dealing with old plumbing—rarely goes as planned. The “quick” jobs tend to spiral, especially in older buildings where nothing is standard anymore.
One time I tried to swap out a tub drain myself and ended up with a cracked pipe behind the wall... which meant calling in a pro anyway, but now with more damage and a bigger invoice. Since then, unless it’s something really straightforward, I just budget for a plumber. It’s not cheap, but neither is water damage or tenant complaints.
Has anyone found that working with newer construction makes DIY plumbing easier? Or do you still run into hidden headaches even in newer places?
I get the temptation to save money by doing it myself, but after a fiasco with a leaking kitchen drain—brand new house, too—I’m done gambling with plumbing. The builder used push-fit fittings, and I thought, “How hard can it be?” Turns out, one tiny misalignment and I had water under the cabinets for days before I noticed. Even in new construction, mistakes can get expensive fast. These days, I just call the pro and sleep better at night, even if my wallet feels lighter.
“How hard can it be?” Turns out, one tiny misalignment and I had water under the cabinets for days before I noticed.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve seen just as many leaks from “pros” rushing jobs as from DIYers. Push-fit fittings are supposed to be foolproof, but nothing’s perfect. Personally, I still do my own drains—just take my time, double-check everything, and keep a towel handy for the first test run. Sometimes it’s not about saving money, just knowing exactly what went into the job.
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too—sometimes the “pros” aren’t as careful as you’d hope. I’m always a bit paranoid about leaks, so I end up checking every joint like three times and running water for a while just to be sure. It’s not fast, but at least I know where things could go wrong. Push-fit stuff is handy, but I still don’t trust it 100%… old habits, maybe.
