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As a homeowner, you may get tempted to try and save some money by tackling your to-do list on your own. It is essential to remember that while you can handle some household repairs by yourself, you should always leave a few tasks to the professionals.
There are many jobs around the home which may become dangerous if not done correctly. These jobs require special training and skills, such as cutting into a wall or working with electricity in your home. Attempting these jobs on your own could result in injury or even death.
Here is a list of household repairs that an inexperienced person should never perform:
Electrical Wiring
Do not attempt to repair or replace electrical wiring. Not only it’s dangerous, but it can also lead to a fire. Always contact an electrician who is qualified and licensed to do the work for you.
One of the primary reasons DIY jobs go wrong is when homeowners attempt to change out a light switch or receptacle. You can be injured from the electrical shock if you work on live wires.
Electrical fires are one of the most common causes of house fires, and they may be avoided by calling professionals rather than attempting to do things yourself. It is all you need to know about choosing an electrician who can handle the wiring in your house.
Water Heater Repair
If you do not have a water heater yet, you will need to buy one or build your own. So, if you invest in a water heater, it must be serviced regularly. Water heaters should be inspected yearly by a qualified technician.
In addition, water heaters (like other appliances) often give off some warning before they break down is the most common sign of impending doom for a water heater.
It can happen because of sediment build-up within the tank and is usually an indication that it is time for a new one. To avoid this problem, flush your water heater regularly to remove any sediment build-up in the tank.
It should go without saying that water heaters are large appliances. They contain amounts of electrical wiring and gas, both dangerous things indeed.
So, handling this kind of equipment should be left to professionals who know the instructions for repairing a water heater. They are equipped with the proper tools required for hot pipes and tanks and know how to work with these materials.
You could probably change your showerhead with no issue, but electric or gas?
Nope! Even if you think you are handy or up for the challenge, refrain from attempting DIY repairs on your appliance. Hire someone who knows what they are doing instead.
Plumbing Repair
It is better to leave plumbing repairs to the specialists.
Plumbing does not seem like the most complicated task globally, but it requires a professional skill set. A plumber will have the proper tools and certification to ensure that the job is done safely and correctly.
If you try plumbing repairs yourself and something goes wrong, it could result in a flood or damage to your home. And if that was not bad enough, you could find yourself needing to make more repairs just because of the water damage your home has sustained.
That is on top of any structural damage that a leaking pipe or water may have caused. If a pipe bursts behind the drywall and goes unnoticed for some time, mold could spread through your walls. Replacing drywall is far less expensive than repairing an entire roof or foundation because of water damage.
Along with these potential issues, dealing with gas lines can be incredibly dangerous if you do not know what to do when making plumbing repairs.
And whether it comes from a leaking pipe or faulty electrical wiring due to water accumulation, electricity poses its dangers around the house. You would not want water damage and electrical hazards compounded by exposing your home and family to natural gas leaks on top of everything else.
Asbestos Removal
Asbestos is dangerous material commonly used in building materials such as insulation and flooring before being banned in the 1970s. When ingested, asbestos causes cancer and other potentially deadly health issues. It’s critical to know how to do epoxy floor cleaning whether you’ve recently had one installed or are considering doing so.
You can identify asbestos when it is still whole and frayed. You should seek professional help immediately, as fiber particles can spread through the air.
If you happen to find intact material in your home, take a picture of the affected area and call an expert for disposal instructions. You would want to seal off the room to prevent further damage from the dust floating around your house.
If you absolutely must do this yourself (you should not!), be sure to protect yourself by wearing a full protective suit with a breathing mask that has its air supply tank so as not to inhale any of the harmful fibers.
Chimney Maintenance
Besides the everyday upkeep of homeowners, there are a variety of household repairs you should leave to professionals. One such example is chimney maintenance. Your chimney and fireplace will most likely need some repairs throughout their lifetime, but it’s important not to try to fix any significant problems yourself.
Professionals know how to assess whether your chimney needs repair and can determine the extent of the damage.
They’ll also evaluate whether or not your chimney is safe or not in good shape, after all! Even if your chimney looks fine at first glance, you shouldn’t ignore it altogether because you don’t want a build-up of soot and ash. Regular cleaning is necessary for ensuring your family stays healthy.
Professionals can also determine if it is time for a new chimney cap. These prevent rain from entering the flue when it is not in use, which will prevent water damage from rainwater running down into the firebox and corroding metal components.
Additionally, they’ll ensure that birds aren’t nesting in your flue by replacing damaged flue caps with ones made with special wire mesh that allows smoke out while keeping wildlife and debris out.
Foundation Repair
Unless you are an experienced general contractor, you should never attempt to repair the foundation. A solid foundation is crucial for supporting a building structure and preventing leaks in basements and crawl spaces.
If your home does suffer from foundation damage, it could lead to cracks in the walls, floors, windows, or driveway. They can also lead to other issues with the internal structure of your house.
Because a foundation is essential to supporting the rest of the building, it requires specific knowledge and tools that only an expert possesses.
To ensure your foundation is repaired correctly and does not recur later on down the road (where it would be difficult and costly to fix), hire someone trained in this work.
Bottom-line
The potential for disaster is high when it comes to DIY home repairs. That is without even considering the risk of damaging your home or injuring yourself. Why bother with such a headache?
If you are not sure how to handle a job, or if the work has you stressed and worried, it is best to call in a professional.
Even if you are mechanically inclined and have some basic know-how about electrical systems and plumbing pipes, there are cases where you should still reach for your phone instead of your toolbox.
If you attempt to tackle something on your own but mishandled the job, you will need to hire someone anyway. And while cleaning up and repairing the problem at hand can also uncover more issues that need attention.
And do not forget: professionals have insurance policies to protect them and their customers.
If something goes wrong during a project or there is damage to your property, and someone gets injured on-site, you will not be liable for their medical bills or repair costs.
