C.J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
4 DIY Household Projects You Shouldn’t Attempt
A recent nationwide survey conducted by The Street, Inc revealed that 70% of Americans prefer the DIY approach when embarking on household projects. Indeed, very few people are against rolling up their sleeves and applying tips learned from HGTV and YouTube videos to conduct common tasks around the house and save money in the process. However, some tasks are best left to the professionals and can end up costing you more in the long run if mistakes are made.
Unless you are like my husband who loves to read DIY books and watch A LOT of YouTube videos, do job shadowing of professional plumbers and electricians and more in order to do mostly everything yourself (check out this incredibly awesome barn door he built himself!), this article is for you!
Read on to learn the top four household projects you should never handle yourself.
A metal roof is best installed by professionals
1-Roof Repair And Installation
A leak in your ceiling and a storm eliminating a few shingles are seemingly straightforward roofing problems you can fix without an experienced roofer's assistance. However, all types of repair and installation are difficult tasks that you should hire a professional for instead of doing yourself. For starters, you need to be on the roof to conduct any repairs, whether fixing corrugated metal roofing panels or repairing a leak.
There is a high risk of falling from this height, and professionals in the roofing industry are reportedly thrice as likely to experience a fatal injury than workers elsewhere. Therefore, you have even higher odds of falling and fatally injuring yourself. Also, you can cost more damage to your roof without the right tools, expertise, and materials, so avoid climbing on your roof at all costs.
Pendant lights can be a tricky install if you don’t know what you are doing
2-Electrical Work
You can get away with minor mistakes when conducting simple DIY projects like metal table polishing. However, electrical work has a smaller margin for error, and one wrong move or slight lapse in concentration can be fatal.
Therefore, amateurs risk injury and electrocution when tackling electrical work. It is no surprise that several states require you to be licensed, trained, and insured before conducting electrical and wiring work.
If you love this article, we know you’ll love this one too: How To Make a Driftwood and Rope Pendant Light
Gutters on tall houses are especially better off installed by professionals
3- Gutter Replacements
Gutters typically crack during winter due to heavy ice or snow and the constant freeze-thaw-refreeze cycle. Therefore, replacing your gutter is a vital household project to conduct when necessary, but it is best to let someone handle this for your safety and others.
The last thing you want to do is incorrectly install new gutters and downspouts since this can cause leaks, overflows, saggings, and even foundation damage. Furthermore, there is a high risk of falling from a ladder when replacing gutters, much like roof work. Consequently, it is best to hire a professional gutter cleaning and installation service to handle this dangerous task.
Pipes can leak if not installed properly
4- Fixing Broken Pipes
You can patch up broken pipes in a jiffy, but be prepared to revisit the issue multiple times. According to Gregg Hartley, a retired master plumber with more than 40 years of experience, the only way to fix a broken pipe is to have the specialized tools required for the materials, sizing, and angles involved.
If you somehow have all the necessary tools available, your inadequate knowledge will likely cause you to miss or mess up a vital step that will cause leaks later. For instance, you can use the wrong type of glue for your PVC or solder with the wrong technique.
C.J. (Carolyn) Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Little Ways to Get Back To You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.