5 Home Repairs You Should Not DIY

There are entire networks devoted to how to DIY remodels and home repairs. And unless you are very skilled and have the right tools, some of these repairs are best left to the professionals. While there are tasks like painting, flooring, and framing walls that most average handymen can do, other repairs should be done by licensed contractors. This protects the homeowner and the home from even more costly mistakes.

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Roofing

Roofing seems pretty straightforward, but if you miss a step, it can destroy your roof and even parts of your home. A good roofing professional will look at all areas of the roof to ensure they use the proper technique and materials. They will patch or replace rotted boards, check for flashing, and ensure that the repair is good enough to keep your investment dry. There are also different types of roofing. You may have traditional asphalt shingles, ceramic ones or you could have something more complex like a metal roof. If that one breaks, do you have the ability to tear out pieces of metal? Weld it back together?

HVAC

There is a reason people go to school to learn HVAC. While the average homeowner can easily change out filters and clean right around the air ducts, they usually don’t have the know-how to perform repairs or more in depth maintenance. It’s getting to be the time of year when people will start thinking about hotter weather and especially in hotter climates.

You want to schedule professionals in places like California or Texas sooner rather than later. You don’t want to get caught in a backlog of AC repair in Santa Rosa or in Houston where the temperatures climb quickly. It could take weeks to get repairs done especially if it’s something major or you need to wait for parts. That’s another reason to hire HVAC pros. They have access to parts suppliers that individuals do not.

Plumbing

Some plumbing repairs are pretty easy to fix. Changing out faucets, replacing a toilet, or even fixing a small leak under the sink are all simple enough with the right tools and a few videos to help you learn the best ways to do it. But if you have extensive damage to the main lines or need to repair multiple split pipes, you will thank yourself for hiring a plumbing expert. While technically you can try to DIY it all, you may not have the tools to do all the repairs. The amount of time you’ll spend learning how to do it, and the amount you could spend on tools to DIY could be more easily spent on a plumber.

Electrical

No one wants to electrocute themselves. Fixing the electrical system in a home is a very important job. It’s one that trained electricians and master electricians take very seriously. An outlet that’s not properly grounded for instance can let out a pretty big shock when you touch it. Additionally, electrical problems are a big source of house fires.

Switching out a light fixture and replacing an outlet are both relatively simple if you now how to do it correctly. They also don’t usually require too many specialized tools. But adding new circuits and putting the right number and kinds of receptacles on the circuit both require the right training and certifications. If you miss a step, it can be dangerous for the people in your home and even your neighbors.

Septic

If your septic system is in need of repair, the results are nasty. Anything from smells wafting into your home, water backing up through toilets and tubs, to raw sewage leaking into the ground can be major causes for concern. Other than unclogging a toilet, don’t attempt septic repairs on your own. Trained septic repair companies can help fix anything. While it could be as simple as pumping out the waste from your septic system, it could mean you need a new tank or even a new drainfield if you don’t care for it properly.

One of the great things about owning a home is you get to make it your own. Updates to paint, flooring and fixtures are all simple to DIY. But when it comes to major repairs, it’ll save you time, money, and headaches in the long-run if you leave it up to trained professionals. 

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