6 Homeowner Problems You Shouldn’t Solve on Your Own

We all look for ways to save some money when it comes to house repairs and upgrades, so we often decide to deal with these issues on our own – plus, we get to brag to our friends about our achievements! However, while there are some things where we can put our DIY skills to good use, there are also areas where we should let professionals do the job for us. Here are some of the most common homeowner problems you shouldn’t solve on your own.

Major plumbing issues

Sure, you might be able to replace a worn-out faucet on your own or even find a guide online on snaking a clogged drain, but you shouldn’t rely on YouTube videos when it comes to some more serious issues. If you have a need for a major plumbing repair or remodel, it’s best to contact a professional. They can easily install a new toilet, deal with a sewage system problem or fix a major leak. In no circumstances should you try to reroute your pipes or extend hot water lines on your own! While not as deadly as electrical work, this issue can still cause major damage to your property.

Electrical work

Having mentioned electrical work, you should know that in some countries like Australia and Ireland doing this on your own is illegal. Besides paying a hefty fine, you are also facing potential imprisonment as well as the possibility of injury or death. So, whenever you need any type of electrical work done in your home, you should definitely turn to professionals. They are trained and know how to approach a certain task, whether it’s replacing a circuit breaker or getting the completely new wiring installed.

Repairing gas appliances

If you have appliances in your home that run on gas, fixing them on your own can be as dangerous as dealing with electricity. In case you are not an expert, your actions could result in a leak. This is usually an easy task for a professional, so don’t try the DIY approach here seeing as how it can result in carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and explosions.

Replacing or fixing your roof

Replacing a shingle or two might look easy, but we often don’t take into account that this entails great heights and heavy tools and materials. If the slope of your roof is not bigger than 20 degrees, you might be able to clean or fix your gutters and an occasional shingle. However, when it comes to major repairs, you should definitely not do it on your own. Not having the proper equipment and experience can often lead to a poorly done job, which can, later on, result in leaks and structural damage; not to mention the risk of injury or death. So, if you live in cities with heavy downpours such as Perth, you definitely need a roof that is professionally done, to prevent leaks and broken gutters. Therefore, turning to experts for Perth roof and gutter repairs will ensure the job is done perfectly and you will not have to worry about getting injured.

Asbestos removal

In case you own an older home, you might have asbestos in the walls. While it is not dangerous if undisturbed, if you want to do some renovating, you should get rid of the asbestos. Once it becomes airborne and is inhaled, it can lead to many health problems, ranging from asbestosis to lung cancer. Therefore, you should definitely get professionals to test for asbestos and remove it. There is no need for you to risk illness when there are experts with the right equipment who can take care of this for you.

Structural changes

A lot of people think that they can just tear down any wall when they start remodelling their home. What they are not aware of is that some walls are load bearing and cannot be demolished as that will affect the structural integrity of the house. This can lead to sagging upper floors or a complete collapse of the structure. In order to avoid all of these problems, you need to talk to a professional as they know which walls can be removed and which can’t. They also know how to transfer the load and safely support the weight of the upper floors during demolition.

These six are just some of the most dangerous problems homeowners shouldn’t deal with on their own. However, there are also some seemingly smaller repairs such as repainting several-floor high buildings and removing ice dams for which you can also consider professional help. Saving money is fine, you just need to know the right areas where you can do it without compromising your health and safety.