WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2012
Before you reach for your tools and tackle your next DIY project, you might want to think twice about the task at hand. Many homeowners who are financially strict will automatically assume that if they want to save money, it’s important to do all home improvements themselves.
 Instincts tell us that calling a professional is unnecessary and expensive, but some tasks are simply too risky, too dangerous or require specialized training. You probably aren’t as quick to draw your own blood or fill your own cavities, some things are better left to a professional and home repairs are no different.
Here are the top five house repairs that are best left to a professional:
1. Plumbing: If it’s anything more than unclogging a drain, you should probably call a plumber. Plumbing repairs are risky business because where water is involved, there is a vast potential for extensive problems. Water damage can travel quickly and cause thousands of dollars in home repairs. Even a small leaky pipe can cause major structural damage to your home.
2. Gas: Projects involving gas appliances should always be approached with a professional. When it comes to gas appliances, one mistake can be harmful or fatal.
3. Electrical: Changing a light bulb, installing a fixture, and even fixing an outlet are things most homeowners can tackle, but any extensive electrical projects need the assistance of a trained professional. Most electrical repairs carry a high risk of electrical shock and some even require you to get a special permit before the work can be done.
4. Roofs and Ladders: According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are hundreds of deaths annually due to falls from ladders, roofs and scaffolding. Any project requiring a ladder higher than your standard 8’ home ladder needs the assistance of a professional. In this case, safety is much more important than the savings of doing the home repair yourself. Even if you’re comfortable with heights, roofing requires steady footing and experience. In addition to the safety factors, roofing must be done with precision in order to avoid water damage and high heating and cooling costs if done incorrectly.
5. Demolition Projects: Anytime you’re tackling a demolition, moving a wall or breaking down anything, you need to call a professional before you pick up a sledgehammer. Bashing in a wall may seem simple, but it’s important to understand what is behind and inside the wall, and whether it is structurally important to the house. Chances are if your home improvement project requires removing a wall, you should have a professional contractor on speed-dial.
This doesn’t mean you need to call a repair man every time something creaks, there are still many home repairs that don’t require a professional such as: small brick or broken tile work, patching concrete, or replacing a faucet and fixtures.
Before you start any house repair project, be sure you understand each step in the process, understand the risks and the requirements involved and take every precaution to do the job carefully and safely. It is always tempting to do home repairs yourself to save money, but if you cause more problems by attempting a DIY you aren’t prepared for, it may not always be as cheap as you think.
By Matt Reynolds - Google+
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