The growing popularity of home improvement and repair shows can make us believe that we are capable of doing just about anything when it comes to improving or repairing our homes. However, that is just an idea that is far from reality. In case of an emergency, you might want to grab a tool and handle the problem yourself, but DIY repairs are rarely as simple as they may seem on TV, and they can end up in a disaster that could cost you more money than hiring a professional. The common rule of thumb is that you can fix some cosmetic flaws yourself, but just in case you are wondering, here are the situations when you really should seek the help of an experienced professional.
Fixing electrical wires
Here’s another rule for you: if it can put you in a hospital, don’t do it. Really, fixing faulty/burnt electrical wires might remind you of the familiar movie scene where you should cut the red wire or match some colors, but it is far from being so. Unless you have some practical knowledge about working with electricity, it is better to leave this job to the pros.
Adjusting electrical lines
This is an even more complicated chore. Again, if you are not well-versed in this skill and you’re not familiar with the local code requirements, you could put yourself in an extremely dangerous situation. Poorly performed electrical works are a common cause of fire, so even if you don’t see any consequences right away, there could still be a pending doom. Also, if one day you decide to sell the house, this problem could be discovered by inspection and you could end up spending much more money than you’ve saved by taking matters into your own hands.
Window repairs and replacement
Unless you’re doing it on the first floor, window repairs and replacements can be quite tricky. In fact, anything that requires a ladder or scaffold can lead to a nasty fall. Don’t you think that the risks are too big to justify saving a few bucks?
Unclogging blocked drains
In some cases, this can be solved by an amateur, but unclogging drains isn’t always a simple task. Sometimes, clearing a blocked drain pipe requires professionals working with high-tech tools that can detect and remove blockages from your pipes quickly and efficiently. You will notice such persistent blockages when the usual boiling water and plunger methods fail.
Frozen pipes repair
Frozen pipes are quite common in some climates, but that doesn’t mean that you should tackle this problem all by yourself. They can lead to accidents that can cause some serious damage to your home. If the cold hasn’t already caused them to burst, professional plumbers can solve the problem before your whole house is flooded. Altering plumbing lines is also out of the question.
Leaky roof
There is nothing more annoying than hearing tiny raindrops dripping from your ceiling to the floor or furniture piece. Besides being annoying, this problem may damage the ceiling structure and cause health hazards like mold and mildew. This is not the time for showing your housework skills. Remember what we mentioned a couple of paragraphs above? Improper use of ladders and scaffolding can result in falls, and you don’t want that.
Removing large amounts of paint
What could possibly be dangerous about this? Nothing, unless you are removing large amounts of paint that may contain traces (or even larger amounts) of lead. Health concerns and legal requirements make this job an endeavor that should be left to professionals who possess protective equipment that can shield them from hazards associated with lead (e.g. kidney damage and anemia).
Wishing to take things into your own hands when it comes to maintaining your household is perfectly understandable. However, in some cases, it is better to call the professionals instead of biting off more than you can chew.
Guest Post By:
Chloe is an art historian, recreational ballet dancer and a contributor at smoothdecorator.com. She is passionate about photography, dance and music. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world with her husband and take stunning photographs of beautiful places. She also enjoys learning and writing about home design, since she is crazy about aesthetics. You can find Chloe on FB, Twitter, and G+.
