DEMO DISASTER$$$| PIPES, CAPS, AND FLOODS

I remember one occasion we were doing a drywall tear out for a decent sized area in a single family home. It turned out the homeowner, trying to save money on renovations, decided to tackle a DIY bathroom demolition. Feeling confident, they grabbed a sledgehammer and took a big swing at the wall, thinking it would be a quick and easy job. Instead, they struck a water pipe, and within seconds, a gush of water erupted, flooding the bathroom and spilling into adjoining rooms. In a frantic scramble, they raced to shut off the main valve, but the damage was already done—soaked drywall, ruined flooring, and a repair bill that far exceeded the cost of hiring a professional in the first place.

If they had turned off the water supply beforehand, they could have avoided the whole mess. But in their excitement to get started, they skipped that crucial step, and without pipe caps on hand, things quickly got out of control. What should have been a simple demolition turned into an expensive learning experience—a reminder that sometimes, it’s worth calling in the pros.