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Forced to DIY

Sometimes we don't want to DIY things, but we are forced to.

After living in this house for 2 years I was finally ready to get a plumber to deal with the leaky kitchen faucet.  Turns out all the plumbers in the area are backed up from January's cold snap which broke many pipes and put them behind.  I literally can't get a plumber.

I may not be rich enough to buy D'Agostino or Boulder but I sure as hell can hire a plumber.  If I could find one.  So instead of hiring a plumber, and swiping my credit card I have to do it all myself.  New strap wrench, 2 valve kits from Moen even if the faucet literally says Kohler on it, and an hour later I have a faucet that doesn't leak.

Right now my integrated is causing me some issues.  I am honestly tired and I'd rather pay to fix it, but the effort to find a qualified tech and package and ship the amp is so much more work than I would need to fix it myself that yet again, I'm DIYing it.

Mind you in a lot of ways I like doing DIY projects, but the plumbing and this particulare issue are not really that. 

How about you?  Have you found yourself driven to DIY at home or in your stereo because the alternative was just not feasible?

erik_squires
barts's avatar
barts
713 posts
 

My dad always enlisted me as his helper in all of his DIY projects.  WWII vets didn't want or need to have people do things for them.  Of course, this was a PITA for me as a kid.  It was only after he was gone did I realize how valuable an exercise it was.

I passed it on to my son and he appreciates now and tells me so.  His reaction in the process was the same as mine...what a PITA.

"I'd rather be a hammer than a nail"

Regards,

barts

 

thecarpathian's avatar
thecarpathian
4,367 posts
 

I always DIY when there's no danger of me screwing it up worse than it is.

Built a cedar fence down 300 feet of property line, changed out and moved countless sprinkler heads, tiled our foyer and master bath, numerous basic electrical and plumbing jobs...

I get a great sense of satisfaction out of it. Pride in a job well done and the bonus of teaching your brain a new skill.  The right tools and know your limitations. Plus, I live in an area where it's thick with fly by night hacks and shysters. The majority of 'professionals' around here are anything but.

bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,195 posts
 

So God is talking to St. Peter one day and says "I'm thinking of adding some Pearly Gates at the entrance to Heaven".  Peter replies "I'll go to Hell and see if I can find a Contractor"  🤣

motown-l
183 posts
 

I used to do about half of our home repairs. Now I find that my 67 year old back and sciatica limit my home repairs, significantly. I'm no electronic tech, but I have done some modifications to old audio equipment. New switches, light bulbs, fuses, installation of RCA jacks on TT's with captive interconnects, installation of new cuing systems, new TT bases and plinths and other stuff that doesn't require a MEE. Now that I have retired, I am thinking of taking some classes in basic electronic repairs. I'm tired of not being able to do more involved electronic repairs.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,705 posts
 

Until recently, I did almost everything DIY, but my body says there are things I can’t do anymore, like getting under the sink to do something as simple as replacing a faucet. I didn’t have a choice, but to pay the man $185 just to show up and another $150 to remove and replace the faucet ( about 15 minutes).  I can still do “ workbench “ things, but my neck says NO to almost everything else!☹️☹️

 

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