My kitchen sink was leaking. Option A: Call a plumber (Cost: ₹500 + "Madam, spare part needed" scam). Option B: Watch a 12-year-old on YouTube explain how to fix it (Cost: ₹0). I chose violence (Option B).
ME + YOUTUBE
- Rusty Wrench
- Teflon Tape
- Phone (Flashlight)
- Panic
THE LEAK
- Calcified Rust
- Infinite Water Supply
- Located in tight corner
> THE ATTEMPT
I found a video: "Fix Leaking Sink in 5 Minutes." The guy in the video made it look easy. "Just loosen the nut." I tried to loosen the nut. It was welded by time and hard water. I pulled harder. CRACK. I didn't loosen the nut. I broke the pipe.
Leak Integrity: COMPROMISED.
Flow Rate: INCREASED BY 500%.
Kitchen Floor: FLOODED.
Suddenly, a drip became a fountain. I was trying to stop the water with my thumb while watching the YouTube ad (which was unskippable). "BUY GRAMMARLY NOW!" I don't need grammar! I need a bucket!
> THE SURRENDER
I turned off the main valve (which I should have done first—step 1 in the video). I sat in a puddle of water. Defeated. I called the Plumber.
> THE PROFESSIONAL ARRIVES
The plumber arrived in 20 minutes.
He looked at the broken pipe. He looked at me. He didn't say a word.
The look of judgment was loud.
He fixed it in 7 minutes.
Cost: ₹500 (Labor) + ₹300 (New Pipe I broke) = ₹800.
> CONCLUSION
YouTube is great for software. For hardware (plumbing/electrical), experience matters. My attempt to save ₹500 cost me ₹300 extra + 2 hours of mopping. Sometimes, paying a professional is the best "Life Hack." Also, turn off the main valve first. Lesson learned.