How do you know which house repairs can be done yourself, and which ones should be left to the pros?
Sometimes, it can be hard to know. Many homeowners love the thrill of DIY projects, plus the idea of saving money can be appealing.
However, doing repairs yourself can sometimes cause serious damage to your home and can also put yourself at risk of an accident.
To learn more, keep reading to find eight home repair projects that you should never do yourself.
1. Roof Leaks
Home repairs can be both complex and dangerous, and roof repairs are certainly both. If your roof is leaking, your home may need either repairs or a roof replacement.
For either issue, we recommend calling a professional roofing company. Why? The main reason is that going up on your roof can be deadly.
Ladder injuries and falls are common when working at tall heights, such as the top of your roof. Plus, once you’re up there, roofing is a delicate and tedious task that can take a long time.
It’s not the sort of project a DIYer can figure out from watching YouTube videos, so leave it to the pros who are trained and experienced in working on a high roof.
2. Electrical Problems Are One of the Riskiest House Repairs
Another home repair that’s not one to try on your own is electrical repairs. Sure, something simple like replacing a light switch cover is fine, but anything more complicated is better left to others.
Electricity, number one, is dangerous, and exposure to electrical wires and cables can lead to shock and injury. Plus, messing with your home’s electricity can do serious damage to your system.
If you want to rewire your home, add in new electric outlets, or install eclectic appliances like a stove, don’t risk trying to do it yourself—bring in expert help.
3. Plumbing Issues
Simple issues like clogged drains are usually an easy fix, but more serious plumbing issues, like bathroom water leakage, can be too complex to do on your own.
Anything involving sewage, hot water pipes, or major leaks require expert knowledge to fix. Sure, you can technically try to do it yourself, but there’s a good chance you may actually make the problem worse by doing the wrong thing.
If so, you’re going to have to call a plumber to fix what you messed up, which may be more expensive than it would’ve been to hire a plumber to fix the original problem.
4. Gutter Replacements
Gutters are an essential part of any home since they work to remove rainwater from the foundation, keeping it dry and safe from damage and mold.
While gutters should last for decades, especially with regular cleaning, they may eventually become damaged and need repair or replacement.
When you do need new gutters, don’t try to install them yourself. Gutters hang just off the edge of your home, meaning their positioning on the roof is risky.
As with roof repairs, gutter replacements are too dangerous to do on your own, as there’s too much risk of falling off or tumbling down the ladder.
5. Asbestos Removal
If you have an older home that you’ve recently bought, make sure it’s free from asbestos. Although it has been removed from many buildings, it’s still a major concern.
It was originally used in home and building installation but later was discovered to have a strong link to cancer. Sometimes, big home improvement projects will uncover asbestos that previously wasn’t known.
Although rare, if your home is found to have asbestos, never try to deal with it yourself. Working around asbestos requires extensive training and protective equipment, as it can have serious health risks.
Always leave the asbestos to those who are qualified to work around the material.
6. Installing Gas Appliances
If you’ve just purchased a new gas appliance, such as a stove, range, or furnace, you’re likely to be tempted to install it as soon as you can, so you can start using it.
However, gas appliances need to be installed by an expert, due to the extra precautionary measures needed when working with gas. Gas leaks can be very dangerous, so you need to understand airflow management to prevent explosion or accidental poisoning.
7. Mounting TV to a Wall
It sounds simple—mounting a new flat-screen TV or audio system to your wall. However, you no doubt paid a lot of money for your new electronics, and if they’re mounted incorrectly, they’re going to break.
Plus, you can damage your drywall and home’s walls if anything heavy is mounted in the wrong place. To avoid damage to your wall or your new tech, hire an expert to come in and install your new devices.
8. Installing a New Dishwasher
When it comes to your kitchen, don’t try to replace or install a new dishwasher. Dishwashers are complicated things, requiring both access to plumbing and electricity.
There’s a lot that can go wrong and plenty of risks—accidental water damage and electricity don’t mix. Or, you could accidentally destroy your new dishwasher.
Call a Pro for All of These Home Improvement Jobs
There are plenty of house repairs that you can do yourself, but the home upgrades and projects mentioned above should be done by a pro.
That way, the projects will be done safer, protecting both your home and yourself. We recommend searching online for contractors or tradesmen in your area, or ask friends for recommendations.
Although paying for professionals can be expensive, it’s often still cheaper than doing it yourself.
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