Water Regs UK has issued a reminder to all planning to renovate their bathrooms this year, it said that plumbing projects are often best left to the professionals.
According to a statement, many will be tempted to fix up any leaks and install new appliances themselves due to cost-of-living pressures. However, DIYers can often make costly mistakes, it noted.
A survey conducted by Water Regs UK has revealed that plumbing mishaps are the number one DIY disaster in UK homes, with 18% of respondents admitting they had to call in a plumber to rectify attempted DIY plumbing jobs.
The survey, encompassing the experiences of over 2,000 people across the UK, highlights the prevalence of DIY attempts gone wrong and underscores that plumbing needs the specialist skills of a qualified professional. Plumbers emerged as the most sought-after trade for fixing DIY disasters, it cited, with electricians and plasterers following closely behind.
Julie Spinks, managing director of Water Regs UK, said: “In challenging economic times we all want to save money. However, attempting DIY plumbing projects can make things worse and end up costing more. If a mishap occurs, it’s crucial to hire a qualified plumber. Every day, half of Britain’s plumbers are called in to fix mistakes made by unqualified individuals—emphasising the real risks associated with amateur attempts.”
The research found that 45 to 54 year olds are the most at risk of choosing an unqualified plumber, with 47% turning to friends and family for DIY plumbing, compared with 29% of 18-24 year olds.
The survey also revealed the top plumbing tasks that Brits are most likely to try and do themselves. It found that 58% are likely to try and bleed a radiator, 42% are likely to check a stop tap is working and 41% are likely to try and fix a leaky tap.
A statement said whilst many homeowners may have the skills to tackle simple jobs like bleeding a radiator or insulating a pipe, complex jobs should be left to a professional. Nearly one in 10 admit they would try to tackle more complex tasks like installing a new toilet which, it cited, could lead to leaks and even contamination if installed incorrectly.
Water Regs UK encouraged homeowners to entrust plumbing and water fittings renovations to approved plumbers, such as those accredited by WaterSafe.