I’m sure you’ve heard about how people think they’re dying because they search their symptoms into Google, but were you aware that the same thing is happening when it comes to blocked drain? A lot of Sydney people are shunning plumbers, and the potential need for pipe relining, in favour of the opinion of some random on the Internet.

It can all feel like too much effort to arrange for a plumber to come and sort out that blocked drain when you can just type it into Google and literally have millions of results pop up on your screen in a matter of seconds. But there’s a reason why your plumber is licensed to look after your home plumbing and Google is not. A licensed plumber has the skills and training to do the job properly and to the appropriate standards the first time, where Google only gives you information (wrong or right, it doesn’t matter) and tells you to do the job. Sure you’ve changed a few washers in your time, how hard can it be?

Very hard. And even if you don’t find the job tricky, it’s still actually illegal for you to do it. There are laws to stop you from doing your own plumbing because it can not only cause damage to your home and your existing plumbing, but it could see you losing out on insurance money if something does go wrong, or you could find yourself facing a whopping great fine.

You might think no one will find out about your dodgy plumbing and your botched blocked drain repair, but what if the problem comes back or gets worse? You give in and call a plumber. While trying to decide if your pipes need to be relined because of nasty wear and tear thanks to that blockage, the plumber finds evidence of your attempt at plumbing. They can very easily report this to the Plumbing Council, and you won’t only get a bill for their plumbing services, but you’ll also get a heavy fine.

Or maybe you’re getting ready to sell your house and as the conveyancer walks through your property they notice that your bathroom is a lot different to what the plans say. They have a quick search and find that there have been no approvals to changes in the plumbing of your house. Legally, they can’t sell your house.

It might seem really easy and cheap to just do a quick Google search and a visit to Bunnings, but in the long-run, you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle if you just call in a plumber.