7 Projects You Should Leave to Home Improvement Professionals
Have you watched one too many home renovation shows that make you believe you can renovate your home on your own? You painted your bedroom walls and updated the hardware on your cabinets, and now you think you’re ready to take on bigger projects.
Hold on – you may want to think twice before you pick up your hammer. While DIYing home projects is a great way to save money, you need to consider if it’s worth the time and the risk. Not all home renovations are easy, and some can be outright dangerous.
Before you start demolishing your home, check out the list below on the 7 projects that you should leave to home improvement professionals!
1. Plumbing
Did you unclog one toilet and think you’re adept enough to take on the rest of your plumbing? Think again. Plumbing is a very complex system with a series of interconnected pipes throughout your house.
One little mistake could flood your house or cause sewage to back up all over your floors. In order to avoid this, it’s best to call in a plumber.
Plumbers are licensed professionals that have years of training, including a 4-5-year apprenticeship. They know how to read blueprints, how to diagnose and resolve plumbing issues, and are experts in the building codes for your location.
On top of potential issues like leaks and floods, plumbing can be difficult for the average person. You must be able to fit into tight spaces and sit in awkward positions for long periods of time. Calling a plumber may just save yourself from a sore back.
2. Electrical Repairs
While it may be tempting to repair that flicking light or install the GFCI switch in your bathroom, it’s best to leave this to the professionals. Any sort of electrical work could result in major damage to your house and to you.
Like plumbers, electricians typically complete a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship as well as classroom training to become licensed. This means that they are expertly trained to repair or install electrical wiring systems in houses. They are also familiar with the local building codes to make sure all work being done is up to the latest safety standards.
Despite your desire to save a few bucks, it’s just not worth skimping on a licensed professional. You could electrocute yourself or cause a house fire. The risks far outweigh any amount of money you may save.
3. Garage Door Repairs
Repairing your garage door is another extremely risky home project.
Most garage doors use either extension or torsion springs. These springs assist with opening or closing your garage door. The springs wind up when opening or closing the door and store mechanical energy. As a result, there is a ton of tension in these springs.
When these springs break, it can be deadly if you’re in its crossfire. That’s why it’s so important that a trained professional completes any sort of garage door repair. Even if you’re able to initially install the spring on your own, it could still break at any time if it wasn’t properly done.
For the safety of you and your family, it is best that you rely on a home improvement professional.
4. Tree Trimming And Removal
Another home improvement project that you should steer clear of is cutting down the trees on your property. While it may seem like an easy way to save money, it often ends up costing you a lot more.
When chopping trees down, many homeowners underestimate the skills needed. They think they can just grab their chainsaw, cut the tree, and run out of the way as it falls. Unfortunately, trees don’t always cooperate and can fall in the wrong direction. If you’re unskilled and unprepared, falling trees can take down utility lines and crash into your house. In worst-case scenarios, it can even fall and injure people.
Because of the potential harm a tree could do, it makes sense to hire a professional, like for example, https://www.thelocaltreeexperts.com/ to complete this work at your house.
Check out these 4 tips on hiring a tree trimming service to make sure you’re getting the most out of your money.
5. Painting Kitchen Cabinets
While painting your kitchen cabinets yourself shouldn’t cause any bodily harm, it should still be left to professionals. It’s extremely difficult to paint your cabinets and get the high-quality results you want.
Painting and refinishing your cabinets can be a complex and timely process. You first need to make sure they’re clean without any grease or oil on them. You should use a degreaser to clean them.
After cleaning, you need to sand them down to make sure the paint will stick. Once sanded, you need to clean your cabinets again to remove any dust. When painting, it’s best to use a paint sprayer with expensive paint.
This can be a long, time-consuming process. Any mistake can ruin the finish of your cabinets. A professional can do this work in much less time while producing much better results.
6. Knocking Down Walls
While knocking down a wall seems fun, it can potentially cause a ton of issues for you during a DIY home renovation.
Before you knock down any wall, you need to make sure it’s not a load-bearing wall. A load-bearing wall supports the weight of the floor or roof above it.
That means knocking it down could impact the structural integrity of the home. In other words, knocking down this wall could cause the upper part of your house to collapse.
You also need to make sure the wall doesn’t have any electrical wires. You don’t want to accidentally cut the power to your whole house.
Because of this, it’s important to make sure you’re hiring a home improvement professional to inspect any walls before demolishing them. Check out this useful page to find the right remodel contractors near you.
7. Asbestos Removal
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that is naturally found in rock and soil. Because of durability, it was used in construction material and is often found in tiles, insulation, and shingles in older homes.
It was later discovered that asbestos, when disturbed, causes lung disease and cancer. Because of this, many homeowners now wish to have it removed.
It is important to hire an asbestos professional for this work. Because asbestos is harmful when disturbed, removing it safely can be very difficult. Professionals are trained to follow specific laws and guidelines while removing and then disposing of it.
After removal, they will then test the air to ensure it is safe to breathe. Since this is such a risky job, it is highly recommended that you avoid any sort of home renovations involving asbestos removal.
When in Doubt, Hire Home Improvement Professionals
Although it is very tempting to do-it-yourself, many home projects require the help of home improvement professionals. If you’re ever in doubt, do not risk potentially destroying your house or harming yourself.
If you have any questions or wish to learn more about home improvements, check out our blog here!