Home Improvement Projects Better Left to the Professionals
While some home improvement projects, such as picking out flooring for your kitchen and living room are great for the DIY lover in many homeowners, just because you saw it on a You-Tube video or on one of the many DIY shows sprouting up on TV doesn’t mean that you should make every home improvement project a do-it-yourself party. There are still many projects out there that require the steady hand and experience of a professional in that field. Some of the best projects to leave to professionals are listed below.
Plumbing Projects
Of course, if you’re talking about unclogging a drain or fixing a simple leaky faucet, there’s nothing wrong with DIY. But when it comes to installing sewage tanks, water heaters and other larger plumbing projects, it’s best to have the professionals have a look. If you’re in the Southern California area, there are plenty of San Diego water heater repair companies who will be willing to help you out with your larger plumbing and repair needs. Even smaller DIY plumbing jobs can end in disaster. Toilets, bathtubs, showers, and pipes that are improperly installed can lead to flooding and other problems you don’t want to have to face.
Electrical Projects
While there are some electrical projects such as changing out an outlet that can be done by an amateur, the best course of action is to always let a reputable electrician do your electrical home improvements for you. Dealing with electricity is dangerous even for those who are trained in the field, much less for an amateur that doesn’t know what they’re doing. If you’re lucky when doing electrical work DIY-style you’ll just end up with a few fried appliances. If you’re not, you could end up in the hospital or worse. Remember, electricity will kill you; leave it to the professionals.
Roofing Projects
There are many types of roofing problems out there and just as many professional roofers who can fix them for you. Repairing or replacing a roof is another project that seems to be growing in popularity with DIYers. It’s another DIY project that has great potential for going dangerously wrong. It only takes one misstep or one loose tile shifting to send you over the edge of the roof and plummeting to the ground below. Falls from roofs account for over one-third of falls on construction sites on a yearly basis, and those are just among professional roofers. Ask yourself; is the money you’ll save by doing the job yourself worth the risk?
Structural Projects
Any type of renovations that require you to change the structure of your home should be done by a professional. For example, knocking out walls in your home without knowing what you’re doing or putting in proper support afterward can easily weaken your entire home, making it a possible death trap for you and your family. Even building a deck onto your home yourself or installing a gazebo can lead to pretty hefty fines in some areas. If you decide to do either of those things, check with your local offices to see if you need a licensed professional to do it for
you or if you need a permit in order to do it yourself.
DIY projects have become extremely popular over the last few years and they certainly do have their place. However, some projects still require the experienced hands of a licensed professional. It’s not only the experience they bring to the table, but it’s also safety as well. If you’re about to tackle any of the projects above get in touch with a local contractor for help.