4 Times Where It's Better Not to Cut Corners in Home Improvement
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When it comes to home improvements, there’s no one single person that will try and do the job themselves if it can save some money. In fact, lots of us are guilty of doing a bodge-job somewhere in our DIY histories. However, sometimes cutting that corner simply isn’t an option either because you don’t have the knowledge or tools to do it, or because it’s dangerous. While it’s always good to learn new skills around the home, some of them quite literally need you to have a qualification in that area. So, let’s take a look at some of the things you’re better off leaving to the professionals.
Electrical work
It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve watched a YouTube video or professionals do it on TV, and it doesn’t matter how easy or trivial the job might seem, you should never try to do any electrical work if you’re not trained to do so. Any project that involves electrical circuits or meddling with connections, is most definitely best left for professionals to handle.
Even if you don’t get hurt, there are still risks involved. Electrics that aren’t properly installed could run the risk of starting fires, and if you’re at home or asleep, it could become a danger to you again. And, imagine coming home to your home being burned down because you didn’t call for help? It’s simply not worth it.
Paving problems
Sometimes issues with your home might actually be directly outside of your home or property. The pavement and curbs, as well as the roads are the responsibility of your local government, not yours. However, if you noticed that there’s a huge pothole or the curb is a tripping hazard, it’s understandable that you’d want to do something about it.
Your job here is to call the responsible party and report the problem(s) you’ve noticed. They will then come and fix the issues and apply any line striping that’s needed to make the pathway and road legal. In most areas you will need a permit if you really want to repair it, but it’s better and safer to let professionals do it.
Plumbing jobs
There are some plumbing jobs that you may be able to safely do without risking anyone’s health. Things like replacing your shower head, unclogging your drains or even tightening a loose faucet. But, with other plumbing jobs that involve your entire plumbing system, including sewage, you should stay far away from.
If you do mess with it, you could end up flooding your whole home with contaminated water, making it a danger to your home and your health. Call in the plumber instead.
Asbestos removal
Finally, asbestos is a huge danger that is still lurking in millions of homes around the world. If you discover it, do not touch it. Try and barricade the area away from the rest of your home if possible, and call professionals to come and remove it. They will have tools and protective equipment - please don’t attempt it yourself.