Yes, there are certain home improvement projects that look easy until you start. You then quickly realize that the going is tougher than it looked. With online websites and TV home improvement shows, it is easy to think that you could save thousands of dollars by simply doing it yourself.
However, home improvement projects can be dangerous. You could harm yourself, or make a bigger mess of your project. Home repairs that are done incorrectly could cost you money down the road. For example, if you have wondered how can I sell my house fast, you must make sure that your property looks good to buyers. No family wants to buy a house that has a dysfunctional kitchen and a poor paint job.
If you decide to tackle a DIY project by yourself, make sure that you prepare properly, and call in the experts when needed. Let’s look at several home improvement jobs that people attempt as a DIY project.
Plumbing
Homeowners believe that the home they have lived in for years is well-known to them, including the plumbing pipes. People attempt, sometimes with success, to fix faucets or toilets. With a how-to video or succinct instructions, you can fix a dripping faucet or a backed-up toilet with tools that include a screwdriver, a wrench, a plumbing snake, a plunger, or certain home liquids.
What happens when your efforts fail? For example, the screws you removed now look foreign when you have finished your DIY work. You forgot to turn off the water before you started. Unfortunately, this error could remain forever in your memory. What about the products you place down the drain, remember that as innocent as they seem they can cause corrosion problems that you can’t see with the naked eye?
Roof Repair & Gutter Maintenance
Your roof develops a leak, the roofing tiles have developed holes, or the caulking has cracked. To save money, you can put up a ladder and repair it yourself – right? No, this task is extremely dangerous. Even roofers are trained on how to perform their roofing tasks safely. The only training a DIY homeowner has is their confidence and strong willpower.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and OSHA, roofing is one of the more dangerous projects in America. Also, The CDC reports that more than 500,000 people suffer injuries and around 300 people die from ladder-related injuries. Even construction workers or roofers have had falls.
While you are on the roof, it could be a good time to clean the gutters while you are up there. Before doing this, make sure that you feel comfortable cleaning gutters that are close to your roof’s edge. If you are scared of heights, consider hiring a professional for this job. Both of these DIY projects involve dangerous unknowns. How strong is your ladder, are you using the right tools?
Tree Removal
There is a tree in your yard that is damaged and is threatening your home or car if it falls. You look at it with a plan to cut down the limbs and then begin on its trunk, etc. Tree removal is a job for someone who is certified. Even if your tree isn’t that tall, it is smart to consult a professional before attempting to remove it. Oftentimes, it’s very difficult to judge which direction the tree will fall, and how far it will land. Make sure to park your car far away from this project.
Plus, do you have the necessary power tools or are you wearing protective clothing? The use of a ladder is required, and we already know the perilous statistics for using them. You must check to ensure that there are no live wires nearby. The dangers involved in a DIY tree pruning or removal include amputations, falling, becoming stuck, eye injuries, and more.
Endnote
Your DIY project went well, and you are proud. Then you find out that there is a problem, but you don’t know how to correct it. The money you attempted to save has now tripled.
Not only will a professional need to fix the original problem, but they will also need to repair your DIY fix. There goes your budget! Unless you have experience in any DIY repairs you attempt, home improvement projects should be completed by professionals.