A bit of DIY enthusiasm is always healthy, but home renovation TV shows make things appear much more straightforward than they actually are. Thanks to ubiquitous YouTube tutorials, it seems that no job is too large for the average homeowner. But, when it comes to these 4 issues, it’s better to leave them to the pros.
Electrical Repairs
If you have property issues that involve electricity, approach them with great caution. You can do smaller jobs on your own, such as installing a ceiling fan or changing a light switch.
And, even then, you need to be extra careful. You need to make sure the power is off, and you need to test the switch against the breaker.
When it comes to bigger issues, swallow your homeowner pride and call an electrical professional. Each year in the US, electrocution kills an average of 143 construction workers—and those are professionals who know what they are doing.
If you are not an electrical professional, any small mistake you make while carrying out electrical repairs puts you at risk of electrocution. One wrong move can result in death or in a fire. If there is something wrong with the wiring or with the circuit, call an electrician.
If you notice unusually high electricity bills, burning smells, flickering lights, and outlets that are warm or hot to the touch, don’t try to inspect the problem yourself.
Even if you are absolutely sure you can take care of it, do know that, in many cases, you need to have a permit in order to get some electrical work done.
When you are doing electrical repairs, you also need to make sure everything is up to code. This may not affect you now, but you’ll experience some difficulty in case you try to sell your home and the electrical wiring doesn’t meet regulations.
Asbestos Removal
If you live in an older home, asbestos might be hiding in the insulation. Since it’s a naturally occurring mineral, engineers assumed that it was safe, so it was used everywhere. Later it was found to be toxic, so EPA banned most of its uses in 1989.
Even though home builders stopped using it, there were no provisions for the buildings that already contained asbestos. If you think that the insulation in your home contains asbestos, do not try to remove it by yourself.
While DIY removal of asbestos is technically possible, homeowners should not try to take the matter into their own hands due to the inherent dangers of toxicity.
Moreover, since asbestos poses a risk to those in close proximity (not only you and your family but your neighbors as well), there are some laws that govern the removal of this toxic mineral. If you suspect there is asbestos in your home, the only sensible thing to do is to hire an asbestos abatement team.
Plumbing Issues
You can unclog drains and change leaky showerheads on your own, but that’s about it. If the problem is more extensive, you will need to call a plumber. Hot water pipe repairs and sewage system issues are best left to the pros.
Even a small leak can rake up thousands of dollars of damage if things get out of hand. So, repairing it yourself just so that you would save a few dollars isn’t worth the risk.
If the problem has already escalated to a flood, you may start to panic and haphazardly try to stop the flooding or salvage your belongings.
But, if you decide to deal with the flooding yourself, you may be putting your life in danger. If the water has come in contact with electrical outlets or wiring, you may get electrocuted.
Flooding can also compromise the structural integrity of your home, so you need to deal with it the right way. In case of a flood, hiring a water damage restoration crew is your best bet.
Moreover, you should hire certified experts that have experience in dealing with insurance companies. For instance, contractors such as TR Texas won’t just restore and rebuild damaged areas of your home, but they will also work alongside your insurance company. This way, you’ll have one less thing to worry about.
Roof Repairs
One of the last things you want for your home is a leaky roof. It may seem like the fix is simple and easy, but it’s not. You can use caulk to plug up the leak, but no one can guarantee that it will hold. If you don’t address the problem properly, the damage can spread from the roof to the attic and upper floor.
And, even though repairing a couple of shingles doesn’t require much skill, there’s the risk of falling off the roof. Just a quick slip can be fatal. It’s best not to attempt roof repairs, no matter how minor the issue may seem.