5 Home Repairs You Should Never Do Yourself

The DIY craze across the United States gathered momentum a little over a decade ago. Since then, everyone tries to be an expert in technical areas that a professional should be responsible for. More so, with the popularity of televised home renovation shows, one can understand why people get swept up into the fad. Did you know that wrong electrical wiring in the home is the third leading cause of fires in America? The absence of labor cost is what fuels DIY projects. As empowering as this may sound, there are some repairs you should never touch.  

1. Plumbing

You may occasionally notice a leaking tap and somehow hope that it will clear up by itself. In most cases, overlooking this fact is a subtle way people avoid the likelihood of a huge plumbing bill. If the repair work requires simply changing a worn-out faucet with a new one, go right ahead with it. On the other hand, if it is more complex and extensive work, be prepared to call in an expert.

Unlike poorly done electrical repair work, which could cost you your life, unprofessional plumbing repairs can burn a hole in your wallet. What may have started as a harmless but annoying leak can result in an unexpected flood by artificial causes. Plumbing works range from trying to fix the toilet to unclogging sinks or using a blow torch to mend a copper pipe. Whatever the plumbing issue may be in your home, Mr flow plumbing services are specialists to help you solve it.

2. Structural Work

Major structural works are the lifeline to any building. Look at it from this angle; if you experienced pains in your bone joints, would you cut yourself up to see what the issue is? Absolutely not! You will instead see a medical specialist to diagnose and treat your symptoms. Now, this analogy is meant to make you see the significance of specialist care and the dangers of self-treatment. In the same way, structural works in your home are not candidates for a DIY project.

Before you tear down a wall in your home, remember that some of these are loadbearing concrete structures supporting upper room floors. Other times, they are built to support the entire structure of your property, and all it takes is one crazy DIY project to collapse it all. Before breaking into a wall in your home, you need basic knowledge of concrete work and building technology.

Some walls and structures have within them a whole network of pipes, wires, and other vital materials that serve your home and its functionality. In effect, a defective structural renovation could undermine the entire home, and you will be solely responsible for the costs involved. 

3. Electrical Repairs

Have you ever experienced that zapping sensation when you touch an electrical switch with wet fingers? Now, multiply that by a thousand volts, and that’s what you’re going to get when you carry out electrical repairs without basic knowledge of what you’re doing. Electrocution is a severe injury that could turn fatal. Apart from replacing light bulbs or changing a socket cover, anything involving rewiring your home or installing an electric wall heater should be done by an expert.

Across the United States, home electrical fires are responsible for 51,000 fires annually. In addition to this, more than 500 deaths and 1,400 injuries result from these avoidable accidents. In total, $1.3 billion is lost to property damage each year. According to the ESFI, of all home fire causes, faulty electrical distribution systems come third in the country. Having this information at the back of your mind, would you still risk an electrical DIY?

Furthermore, if you do the right thing by getting an electrician to fix your problem, always ensure he is a licensed one. In the U.S., it is mandatory to hire licensed electricians to conduct rewiring or other electrical repair works. Failure to do so could result in a legal suit against you, the homeowner, and the unapproved electrician in question.

4. Roofing Repairs

The roof is your immediate protection from the elements; you should definitely not compromise its function with a DIY. Residential roof repair is not for you to do yourself! The art of climbing up and down the roof with your tools intact is a skill you cannot toy with. Besides, it is a tough job to do, and you know what happens to a tired mind and exhausted hands. Add that to being perched at the topmost point of the home – the roof. An unexpected slip will send you over quicker than you can say ‘help.’

With the above said, there are some instances you can get away with. For example, if your home is a bungalow type with a roof slope less than 20 degrees, you could be safe. In cases like that, all you can do is a slight shingle repair while perched on a standard ladder. Anything higher than this house type or requiring major roof work, once again, leave it to the professional.

5. Basement Upgrades

Now this one is a favorite among TV renovation show fanatics. The lure is always in the drastic transformation from a mediocre-looking basement to one that looks like a scene from an Architectural Digest magazine. As easy as this may look to you, it’s still a no-go area. Basement transformations are done by persons with experience in building technology and in consultation with mold experts.

Besides, there are varied requirements for basement remodeling, and that’s not something you want to try your hands on just because you saw it on TV. Moreover, moisture, insulation, and compliance with your locality’s fire code can only be executed by an expert. Just as you wouldn’t want just anyone to fix your car’s mechanical problems, never gamble with your basement home repairs.

Be prepared for the costs that come with home repairs mentioned here. Did you know that sometimes, the shorter route turns out to be longer? Avoid the shortcuts of home repairs and save yourself from an easily avoidable expenditure.