DIY won’t fix this: know when to call in the pros.

DIY fixes can seem tempting, but Boston’s old pipes and hard water make common issues riskier than they look. That leak under the sink might be hiding pipe corrosion; a slow drain could signal a main line blockage rooted in pre-1960 infrastructure. We explain the warning signs specific to our city’s aging systems—like calcium scaling from Cambridge’s water or freeze cracks in cast iron—and when to call a licensed pro immediately to avoid costly damage or health hazards.