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.

Push-fit stuff is handy, but I still don’t trust it 100%… old habits, maybe.

Funny you mention that - I've seen push-fit fittings hold up just fine, but I still reach for the glue and primer most days. Old-school habits die hard, I guess. Out of curiosity, do you ever use pipe dope or just stick with Teflon tape on threaded joints?

- I usually go with Teflon tape, but if it’s a bigger threaded joint or something that’s gonna see a lot of vibration, I’ll add a dab of pipe dope too. Just feels safer, even if it’s probably overkill.
- Push-fit is cool for quick fixes, but I still get nervous leaving them behind walls. Maybe that’s just me being paranoid.
- When you’re putting in a new drain, do you ever dry-fit everything first, or just measure and cut as you go? I’ve had a couple close calls where I had to redo a section because I rushed it...

I get the push-fit hesitation, but honestly, I’ve had better luck with them than with some old soldered joints. As for dry-fitting, I always do it - saves me from wasting pipe and cuts down on mistakes. Measuring alone never seems to work out perfectly for me.

As for dry-fitting, I always do it - saves me from wasting pipe and cuts down on mistakes. Measuring alone never seems to work out perfectly for me.

Dry-fitting’s a must, no argument there. Even with years of experience, pipes never seem to line up exactly the way you’d expect just by measuring. Push-fit’s gotten better, but I still trust a solid soldered joint if I can get to it. Ever had a push-fit leak on you after a few months? That’s my main hesitation. For drains though, I’ll usually go pro unless it’s a simple swap - one bad slope and you’re dealing with clogs forever.

I get the appeal of calling in a pro for drains, but honestly, I’ve seen just as many mistakes from “professionals” as from DIYers. Had a plumber once leave me with a backward trap - took weeks to figure out why it kept clogging. I’ll do the work myself if I can see and access everything, but I double-check slope with a level every time. Push-fits are convenient, but I don’t trust them behind walls or in rentals. One hidden leak and you’re looking at way more than a clogged drain...

I hear you on the “pro” mistakes - had a guy install a drain with duct tape once. Not kidding. I’m all for DIY if you can see what you’re doing and know your limits. The slope thing is huge; nothing like watching water pool in the wrong direction to ruin your day. Push-fits behind walls? That’s just asking for trouble down the line. I’ll sweat copper before I trust those where I can’t keep an eye on them.

I’ve seen some wild stuff behind walls - once found a drain “fixed” with a plastic grocery bag and zip ties. Ever had to deal with a slow leak that took months to show up? I’m always torn: do you trust your own work more than a random pro, or is it just me being paranoid?

I’m always torn: do you trust your own work more than a random pro, or is it just me being paranoid?

Honestly, I get that. I’ve had plumbers do stuff that looked fine at first, but then a year later I’m patching drywall because of a tiny drip they missed. At least when I mess up, I know exactly where to look for the problem. Ever tried those push-to-connect fittings? I’m never sure if they’re as reliable as old-school glue or solder, but man, they’re tempting for quick fixes.

- Push-to-connects are fast, but I’ve seen them leak if the pipe isn’t cut perfectly square.
- For drains, I still trust solvent welds or compression fittings more - less chance of a surprise drip months later.
- Had a call last winter where a “quick fix” push fitting popped off in a crawlspace... not fun crawling in mud to fix it.
- If you’re careful, DIY can be just as solid as a pro job, but shortcuts usually bite you later.

For drains, I’m always going to lean toward solvent welds too - especially for anything that’s going to be hidden behind a wall or under a floor. Push-to-connects have their place, but like you said, if the cut isn’t dead-on or there’s any debris, you’re just asking for trouble down the line. I’ve seen more than a few “quick fixes” come back to haunt folks, especially in spots where you can’t easily check for leaks.

Compression fittings are decent for traps or spots you might need to disassemble later, but for permanent stuff, solvent weld is just more reliable. The only time I’d say DIY is risky is when folks don’t check for proper slope or forget to dry-fit everything first - seen some wild setups where water just sits in the pipe. Ever had to redo a drain because someone glued it all up before checking alignment? That’s a headache.

If you’re patient and double-check your work, DIY can be solid. But yeah, shortcuts or “good enough” attitudes usually end up costing more in the long run.

I’m right there with you on solvent welds for anything permanent or hidden. I’ve seen push-to-connects leak after a year or two, and it’s just not worth the hassle if you have to rip out drywall. One thing I’d add - measure twice, cut once, and always dry-fit. I learned that the hard way after gluing up a drain that ended up half an inch off... had to start over and wasted a bunch of pipe. It’s tempting to rush, but patience really does pay off in the long run.

“measure twice, cut once, and always dry-fit. I learned that the hard way after gluing up a drain that ended up half an inch off...”

Been there myself - except in my case, it was a shower drain and I didn’t realize it was crooked until the tile guy pointed it out. Had to tear out a section of subfloor to fix it. Ever since, I’m super cautious about dry-fitting and double-checking slope. I get why folks like push-to-connect for speed, but for anything behind a wall or under a slab, I just can’t trust it long-term. Maybe I’m paranoid, but water damage is no joke.

Yeah, I get where you're coming from. Water damage is expensive and a pain to fix, so I’m with you on being extra careful. I’ve tried push-to-connect fittings for quick fixes, but for anything permanent, I just don’t trust them either. Dry-fitting takes more time, but it’s worth it in the long run. No shame in learning the hard way - most of us have been there at some point.

Usually I’ll try to do it myself, but only after watching like five YouTube videos and making sure I’ve got a towel ready for the inevitable “uh oh” moment. Push-to-connect fittings are great for stopping leaks in a hurry, but yeah, for anything that’s supposed to last, I’m double-checking every joint and probably overusing plumber’s tape. Learned that lesson after one too many soggy cabinets... Not fun.

Yeah, I’ve been there with the soggy cabinets - nothing like finding a puddle at 2am. Honestly, your approach sounds spot on. Those push-to-connect fittings are a lifesaver for quick fixes, but I always go back and check them after a day or two. Overdoing the plumber’s tape is better than underdoing it, in my book. Sometimes the “DIY plus YouTube” method actually works out pretty well... as long as you keep the towels handy.