With tons of DIY bathroom remodeling tutorials swarming the internet, it’s easy to get pulled in to the fad.

And sometimes jumping on the DIY bandwagon is a good thing that can save you money.
But other times, DIY remodeling can cost you even more money down the road. 

Because, when it comes to bathrooms, there are certain parts that are tricky. And, if you don’t do them right, you could end up with a whole lot of mess to clean up. Literally.

So, before you roll up your sleeves and get your DIY gloves on- here are some tips on what to and what not to DIY when remodeling your bathroom.

Electricity – No!

Wiring is one of those things you want to stay clear of when considering DIY projects. For two reasons. One –open electricity circuits are dangerous. And, fooling around with exposed wires is extremely risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. 

Two –you don’t just want your wiring to work, you want it to work well. Which means you want it done neatly and accurately. It’s easy to do a makeshift wiring job. But how long will that really last? That’s why it’s highly recommended to get a professional on site for your bathroom electricity needs.

Plumbing – No!

This is another ‘no’ on the list when it comes to DIY jobs. The reasons are mainly the same as electricity: if you don’t do it right, you can end up in a dangerous situation or with a hefty problem later on. And if anything goes wrong, well, it’s going to cost you a lot to redo everything that gets water damage.

Shower curtain – Yes!

Shower curtains are a super fun DIY project. Not only can you save money making a beautiful curtain, but you can also personalize and customize it when you do it yourself. Shower curtains can really pull a bathroom together (or tear it apart), so it’s a very important decorative feature. For this reason, go DIY on this one so you have full control over your bathroom’s look.
 
Mirror – Yes!

DIY mirrors are super fresh. They’re another feature that can really make or break the whole look of a newly renovated bathroom. But when you DIY, you can make it work the look exactly as you want. Which means, you don’t have to worry about finding ‘the one’, because you can make it yourself!

Tiling – Sometimes?

Okay, so here’s where it can get a little complicated. 
If you’re looking for a simple, low budget tile- then putting it in DIY-style might be another way to cut down on the cost. However, if you’re looking for a little more upscale tiling, with fancy patterns and mosaics –then it’s probably better to go the professional route. Crooked tiling and mismatched patterns are a big red flag when it comes to bathroom remodeling. Nobody wants to see that.  So, when deciding whether to DIY with the tiling, you’ve got to think about what kind of tiling design you’re going for.

Spring is officially here in Buck County!

Unfortunately, so are the common spring plumbing problems.
If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to get checking on your plumbing. It’s better to find a problem now and get it fixed early, then have to suddenly deal with it in the heat of the season.

Here’s what to look out for this spring!

Broken Hose/Sprinkler

Most people don’t use their hoses and sprinklers during the winter. There’s simply not much need for them. Which means that if you don’t check them now –you won’t know if they’re working properly until its already too late. Take a quick peak and test your hose and sprinkler system now. This way, when the time comes, you can start growing your gardens without a hitch.
 
Clogged Drain

It’s always a good idea to have your drains cleaned out between seasonal changes. Because, if it’s not clogged already, it might be on its way to clogging. And, why start the new season with a clogging drain –right? After months of usage, it’s common for drains to start getting a little slow on the draining part. 

If you notice your sink or shower is taking a while to clear out- it might be high time to get your drains checked out.

Displaced Water

AKA: Flooding. 

When the sun comes out and the snow melts, it’s common to get basement flooding. Often, this happens as a result of pipes freezing and unfreezing. When your pipes unfreeze from the warmer weather, and the water starts rushing through, the pressure from the water can cause the pipes to leak or crack. And this can result in flooding. 

Check for signs of flooding by looking for stains, strange odors, and cracks in the walls or ceilings.

Damaged Pipes

With the cold, rainy weather that we had this past winter, it’s not unlikely that your pipes were dealt some heavy wear and tear. And now that the temperature is turning over, your pipes might have to take even more of a hit. Get your pipes checked now by a professional, before it’s too late and the wait time to get a plumber is through the roof.

What to do if you have one of these problems?

If you already know you have one of these issues, it’s best to call your local plumber right away. When it comes to plumbing problems –the longer they sit, the bigger (and more expensive!) they get. That’s why it’s important to call someone in right away to take care of the problem.

If you’re not sure if you have one of the above mentioned common spring plumbing troubles, it never hurts to have an experienced plumber do a quick maintenance check. Though it sounds like a hassle, it can end up saving you a ton later on down the road. And, this way your home will be all set for spring. 

You won’t have to worry at all when the warmer weather comes to stay!