Some folks are just natural born “Mr. or Ms. Fixits.” Does this sound like you? Not only do you revel in the afterglow of saving money by doing things yourself, but you also really enjoy tackling do-it-yourself home projects. However, it’s best to acknowledge that your experience and abilities may have some limits. Some projects can result in serious injury, death, or huge bills to undo damage you may have caused.
Each year, homeowners suffer millions of injuries from tools, hardware, falls, electric shock, and more. Click here to learn more.
Aside from risking bodily harm, if you do projects or repairs badly, that may haunt you later if want to sell your home. Shoddy repairs can raise serious red flags with home inspectors.
So, when is it time to forget do-it- yourself and call in the pros? Let’s take a look at home projects we recommend you NEVER do.
Tree trimming and removal
It’s tempting to want to do your own tree work, especially when it’s something simple like trimming small trees. However, trimming tall trees or removing dead and rotting ones is a job for experienced arborists.
Why should you NOT cut down trees yourself? Let’s count the whys:
• Risk of injury from chainsaws
• Falls from ladders
• Trees or limbs falling on people below
• Electrocution from power lines
The takeaway? Removing trees or limbs is dangerous work best left to professionals.
The shocking truth!
You pride yourself on having changed out light switches or electrical outlets. That’s great, but don’t let your guard down. When it comes to bigger jobs, it’s just not worth the risk to your life.
In general, working with electricity is dangerous. Not only do you risk injury or death, but making the wrong connections can lead to a devastating house fire.
Here are some electrical jobs you should NEVER attempt:
• Working in or swapping out a home’s main electrical panel
• Rewiring the whole house
• Working with live electricity
Click here for NIH statistics on accidental death by electricity.
When the walls come tumbling down
Knocking down walls is not do-it-yourself task for most homeowners. Misidentifying a load-bearing wall may cause structural collapse or cause upper floors to slope or sag. And NEVER try to demolish an exterior wall; that’s strictly a job for licensed contractors.
It’s a gas gas gas!
Repairs on natural gas or propane lines can be explosive, so don’t even attempt it.
Contact your gas company or a plumber immediately if you smell gas, or if gas-powered appliances are not functioning properly. If you call a plumber, make sure they are certified to handle gas lines.
Speaking of plumbers
Some plumbing projects may be the right fit for your home handyman chops, such as swapping out a p-trap under your sink or changing your toilet’s flapper. However, there are some you should not attempt.
Leaky pipes, drain clogs that won’t go away, and a kaput hot water heater are best left to experienced, licensed plumbers. Attempting these yourself could make the problem worse, resulting in water damage or flooding. The money you tried to save is not worth the repair price of extensive water damage to your home, aside from the fact that your homeowner’s insurance will turn you down if they learn that you caused the damage with your faulty fix.
Click here to learn how homeowners can wreck their plumbing.
Up on the roof
Most homeowners don’t have the skills to do roof repair. Be honest with yourself, and leave the job to licensed roofing companies.
If you intend to sell your house any time soon, consult with a professional roofer to do any needed repairs before listing the property, especially if you notice curled, damaged or missing shingles, missing flashing, or signs of water damage.
Never disturb asbestos
If you find asbestos in your home, never attempt to remove it yourself. Inhaling asbestos fibers can result in a long, painful death from a rare type of cancer. Generally, if left undisturbed, asbestos does not pose a safety hazard. But during removal, particles can get into the air and find their way to your lungs.
Asbestos removal can be quite expensive, but it’s a must if you’re planning on doing remodeling in areas where it’s found, usually in siding and in plumbing installations. If you plan to sell your home, get an estimate on professional removal, since asbestos can be a real sticking point in home inspections.
No matter how great you believe your D-I-Y home skills to be, err on the side of caution and always call professionals for these types of projects.
Buying or selling a home?
Avoid unpleasant surprises! Contact Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young before signing any contracts. Call (828) 808-4980, or click the link below to make an appointment.
