How Quick Plumbing Shortcuts Could Cost You Big In Coverage

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It might seem innocent—a leaky faucet, a clogged drain, a toilet that won’t stop running. With a few online tutorials and a little confidence, you dive into DIY plumbing. But here’s the catch: some fixes can void your home insurance entirely if things go wrong.

Home insurance is your safety net, but it's not without its conditions. Policies are designed to cover sudden, accidental damage—not damage caused by negligence, lack of maintenance, or improper repairs. When you take on a plumbing job yourself, you're often stepping into a gray area that can become a costly loophole for your insurer.

The Problem with Unprofessional Work

Most home insurance policies have a clause about "professional" and "workmanlike" repairs. When a licensed and insured professional plumber performs a repair, they are held to a certain standard. If their work fails and causes damage, their liability insurance or your home insurance policy is more likely to cover the costs.

However, when you do the work yourself, you're responsible for the quality of the repair. If that repair fails and causes a burst pipe, a flood, or extensive water damage, your insurance company may argue that the damage was a direct result of an unqualified repair. They may conclude that the damage was not "sudden and accidental" but rather foreseeable and preventable, and therefore, not covered.

What About Minor Repairs?

Does this mean you can't change a showerhead or unclog a toilet? Not necessarily. Small, cosmetic fixes that don't involve the core plumbing system are generally safe. The risk increases when the repair involves:

• Installing a New Water Heater or Sump Pump: These are complex systems that require proper venting, pressure relief, and electrical or gas connections. An incorrect installation can lead to a fire, gas leak, or catastrophic flooding.

  
  

• Replacing or Rerouting Main Plumbing Lines: Any work that involves altering the structure of your home's main water supply or sewer lines requires specific knowledge of plumbing codes and materials. Improper sizing or a faulty connection can cause a widespread backup or a drop in water pressure throughout the house.

  
  

• Repairs Requiring a Permit: Many municipalities require a plumbing permit for significant work, such as adding new fixtures, altering drain lines, or major renovations. Attempting this work without a permit is not only a code violation but can be a red flag for your insurer.

  
  

• Improper Soldering of Copper Joints: If you have copper pipes, a bad soldering job can result in a hairline crack that creates a small leak at first, but can eventually fail under pressure, causing a burst pipe inside your walls.

  
  

• Diagnosing and Repairing Hidden Leaks: While you may be able to spot a leak, finding its source, especially behind a wall or under a floor, is a job for a professional. An incomplete fix can allow water damage to continue, leading to mold and rot.

  
  

• Any Work on Gas Lines: This is a non-negotiable. Gas lines are a serious safety risk. Any repair or alteration, no matter how small it seems, should only be handled by a licensed and certified professional.

What Should Homeowners Do Instead?

To stay protected and proactive as a homeowner, it's essential to take the right steps when it comes to plumbing work. First, always leave complex jobs to licensed professionals who know the codes and standards inside out. Don't skip permits—yes, even for small installations—as they play a vital role in maintaining compliance and insurance coverage. Make it a habit to keep documentation from every inspection and repair, so you’re never caught off-guard during a claim or future sale. And when in doubt, call trusted experts like Express Plumbing, where every fix is done by the book to protect your home and investment.

Call us today or 403.356.1111 to schedule an estimate.