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"How hard can it be?" is the first question a daring
do-it-yourselfer may ask when approaching a perceivable easy home
repair. And many have found out the answer to this question the hard
way. The DIY craze has been in full swing in the United States for a
while now. With the Internet as our guide, it seems as though no job is
too large for our capable hands. Virtually every kind of repair or
renovation is explained in full online, many times with step-by-step
video to go along with it. And in a time when every penny counts, paying
a professional could mean dipping into your staycation fund.
There are many home repairs and renovation jobs that someone with modest experience can try to tackle. So how do you know when you're being penny-wise versus pound foolish?
Ask any DIY enthusiast about the fun of a self-styled home renovation, and you'll likely be peppered with horror stories of cracked walls and wobbling floorboards. But walls that aren't plumb and floors that aren't level are far different than leaking ceilings or sparking outlets. Attempting certain repairs can be dangerous to your house and harmful to yourself.
We'll walk you through five jobs that you'd be better off to leave to a professional.
PLUMBING REPAIRS
There are many home repairs and renovation jobs that someone with modest experience can try to tackle. So how do you know when you're being penny-wise versus pound foolish?
Ask any DIY enthusiast about the fun of a self-styled home renovation, and you'll likely be peppered with horror stories of cracked walls and wobbling floorboards. But walls that aren't plumb and floors that aren't level are far different than leaking ceilings or sparking outlets. Attempting certain repairs can be dangerous to your house and harmful to yourself.
We'll walk you through five jobs that you'd be better off to leave to a professional.
PLUMBING REPAIRS
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Wires can be incredibly dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.Any projects involving electricity should be approached with extreme
caution. Like plumbing, you may be able to pull off minor repairs like
changing a light switch or installing a ceiling fan -- as long as you
make sure that your power is turned off before you start. You can test
the switch against the breaker so you're positive that there isn't a
current, or you can just turn off your master switch to be super sure.
You should also invest in a decent volt meter so you can test wires for
power. But if the repair goes beyond a simple fixture, it's best to call
a professional electrician. In some instances, you have to have a
permit to get the work done, and a professional will be your only
option. Extending or replacing circuits is dangerous business if you
don't know what you're doing. One wrong move could burn your house down,
and a shock could result in injury or death. There are also building
codes that are mandated for safety purposes; not being up to code may
not affect you now, but it will if you ever try to sell your home.
ASBESTOS
ASBESTOS
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It would be incredibly easy to fall off a roof this steep.Repairing a roof isn't recommended for a do-it-yourselfer for one
reason -- it's easy to fall off of. Repairing a roof shingle or two
isn't the toughest job in the world, but it's getting up and down and
carrying your tools with you that pose the risk of injury or death. It's
also very tiring work, and when you're tired, you're more prone to make
a mistake. Just a quick slip is all it takes to send you over the edge
of a second-story roof.
If you live in a one-story ranch and your slope is less than 20 degrees, you can probably get away with gutter work and minor shingle repair. Your roof may even be low enough to do it from the ladder. But these minor fixes still can be dangerous, and you should never attempt any of them when you're home alone. At the very least, you should have a spotter in place to hold the ladder and be there in case of an accident. Aside from the danger involved, roofing work also requires experience to get it right. If you bite off more than you can chew, you may end up with a leaky roof and expensive water damage.
GAS APPLIANCE REPAIRS
If you live in a one-story ranch and your slope is less than 20 degrees, you can probably get away with gutter work and minor shingle repair. Your roof may even be low enough to do it from the ladder. But these minor fixes still can be dangerous, and you should never attempt any of them when you're home alone. At the very least, you should have a spotter in place to hold the ladder and be there in case of an accident. Aside from the danger involved, roofing work also requires experience to get it right. If you bite off more than you can chew, you may end up with a leaky roof and expensive water damage.
GAS APPLIANCE REPAIRS
