Tackling home repairs on your own can be a rewarding experience. DIY projects are an excellent opportunity to save homeowners money, learn something new, and hone their skills. However, though it may sound empowering, there are home repair tasks you should never do yourself. Trying to take these on your own can lead to costly mistakes — and fatalities.
There’s a reason why companies provide disposable face masks and other safety equipment to construction workers in the UK, and that’s to protect them while doing their jobs, preventing injury and expensive mistakes. Here are six home repairs that you should never tackle on your own.
Asbestos Removal
Asbestos is a natural mineral used by builders for years in older houses and commercial structures thanks to its insulation properties. However, experts discovered that asbestos is toxic, leaving owners of older buildings at risk. Mishandling asbestos removal can lead to death as you may inhale or ingest its fibers accidentally. So, leave it to the professionals.
Gas Appliance Repair
Nowadays, most things, including your dryer and water heater, may run on gas. It’s a reliable piece of equipment that streamlines everyone’s lives, but never the mistake of attempting to repair a faulty gas line or tank yourself. In fact, every year, more than 200 people get hospitalized, and over 40 die due to carbon monoxide poisoning in the UK alone. One way this can happen is getting a small leak in the lines that connect to your home’s appliances. So, if you suspect there’s something wrong with your gas tank or line, call a professional right away.
Plumbing Repairs
The smallest leak can cost you thousands in damage if you don’t catch it in time, and though you can manage minor repairs such as changing showerheads or replacing faucets when dealing with the actual plumbing system, leave it to a capable plumber. Whether it’s working with hot water lines or rerouting sewer pipes, these tasks are best left to professionals as any of these tasks can get out of hand fast and lead to expensive repairs — and a flooded home.
Wiring
Doing any electrical work by yourself will never be ideal as you run the risk of getting electrocuted and accidentally change the wires’ polarity, which may lead to your whole home losing its power. Moreover, any home repair that involves electricity requires a permit from the government and possibly an inspection, so hiring an electrician from the start may save you from all these troubles.
Flooring
Whether you have wood, tile, or carpet flooring, there are several steps that, where if you do something wrong, could mean you need to start all over again. Moreover, you never know what you’ll discover beneath your floor. From warped to damaged flooring — it’s best to leave this task to the professionals.
Walls
Although ripping out a wall sounds easy enough, it’s not. That’s because that wall could be supporting another structure of your home, have electrical wirings or plumbing inside. Removing walls like these could lead to severe damages to the foundation of your home. Additionally, some cities require special permits to do projects like this, and doing it on your own may result in hefty fines.
Although there are some home repair tasks that you can tackle yourself, taking on complicated ones like those mentioned can have costly and sometimes fatal consequences. So if you encounter any of these home repairs, leave it to the professionals.
