DIY Nightmares: When Kitchen & Bathroom Projects Go Wrong 

They thought it looked easy on YouTube to replace a kitchen sink… Little did they know; it was much more than they could handle on their own. It’s taken some time to learn, and several DIY plumbing fails, but they now rely on the plumbing professionals at Dauenhauer for all their plumbing needs.

They used to think they could save time and money by completing plumbing repairs themselves at home, but they learned the hard way that DIY plumbing jobs can quickly turn from weekend projects to expensive emergencies.

Read on to learn from our customers mistakes and see why it’s best to call in the professionals for any plumbing issues.

Story #1 – The Kitchen Sink Saga

A couple of years ago, I decided it was time to upgrade my kitchen a bit. I put in a new tile backsplash, had the cabinets replaced, and found a great farmhouse sink my wife just loved. I also purchased a new and more powerful garbage disposal I planned to install myself.

I didn’t realize that replacing an old sink and garbage disposal would be such a major project! During the installation, I managed to choose the wrong sealant for my needs. I also ended up with drain misalignment because I had never installed a sink or garbage disposal before. I was worried about over-tightening the seals which led to having loose fittings all around.

Unfortunately, these issues resulted in slow leaks under the cabinet, which led to swelling wood, odor, and mold. If I had called Dauenhauer, I could have saved hundreds — and my new kitchen cabinets!

If your sink is leaking or you’re installing new fixtures, trust Dauenhauer’s professional plumbers for a perfect fit the first time.

Story #2 – The Faucet Fiasco

Last year my sister and brother-in-law had a major DIY plumbing fail. My sister saw the most stunning and trendy gold color pull-down faucet at the home improvement store. She immediately called her husband to ask if he could install it on his own. He was confident in his handyman skills and said, “Yes, of course.”

However, my sister and her husband didn’t think about water line compatibility. When installing the pull-down faucet, my brother-in-law skipped installing new shutoff valves and overtightened the connectors. When he was finished, he couldn’t figure out why the faucet was leaking, with water spraying under the sink right before guests arrived for the holidays.

He called and told me later that “a $20 DIY mistake cost me a $300 faucet.” My poor brother-in-law.

Don’t risk damaging new fixtures — Dauenhauer installs kitchen and bathroom faucets safely and correctly across Kentucky.

Story #3 – The Toilet Troubles

This has happened before so you would have thought I’d learned my lesson — apparently not. About four months ago, my wife asked me to redo our guest bathroom. We repainted the walls in a shade of beige and replaced the builder-grade mirror, along with replacing the toilet for aesthetics.

During the process, I didn’t realize the importance of leveling the toilet when placing it. I skipped that step and forgot to replace the wax ring immediately after installing the toilet. This means, I ended up with an unsteady base, leaking water, and warped flooring. There also was an unpleasant odor from sewer gas coming from the toilet stand.

Turns out, there’s a reason plumbers charge for precision. The toilet replacement mistakes I made resulted in having to replace some flooring and re-seal the plumbing.

If your toilet rocks, leaks, or isn’t flushing right, schedule service with Dauenhauer’s licensed plumbers.

Why DIY Plumbing Projects Often Go Wrong

Many homeowners underestimate the complexity of plumbing jobs. Hidden plumbing complexities, such as fittings, pressure balance, and proper sealing are often where things go wrong. Additionally, homeowners rarely have the right tools and materials to complete installations or repairs correctly.

DIY plumbing projects lead to water damage risk and long-term repair costs. There’s a number of reasons to avoid DIY plumbing projects, including:

• Plumbing codes and sealing requirements
• Unexpected leaks or water pressure loss
• Structural and flooring damage
• Voiding manufacturer warranties

When to Call the Pros

If you have a leaky faucet, need a toilet installed, or have uneven water pressure, give Dauenhauer a call. Our licensed and insured plumbers serve Louisville, Lexington, Elizabethtown, and Shelbyville. We’re backed by decades of trusted local service and provide timely service.

We’re available 24/7 for plumbing emergencies and new installations. So, if your DIY job went sideways, we can help. Whether it’s a kitchen sink, faucet, or toilet — we’ve seen every DIY gone wrong and know how to fix it fast.

Call Dauenhauer for Professional Plumbing Services

Hopefully, my DIY nightmares are enough to make you think twice about trying to handle plumbing issues yourself. Professional plumbing services in Kentucky ensure that your home plumbing system operates effectively.

Take it from me; save your weekends and your flooring — let Dauenhauer handle it.
If your DIY plumbing project took a turn for the worse, or you’re planning an upgrade, call Dauenhauer Plumbing, Heating & Air today for reliable service done right.