Your property is in need of repairs and maintenance. You’ve done your assessment, and the estimates are a bit steep. You may wonder, “Why not save some money by doing some of these myself?” Some fixer-uppers look easy enough, but some home projects are ones you should never try DIYing.
DIY Is Not as Easy as You Think
Undertaking certain types of renovations yourself can put you at risk of serious injury or death. The National Safety Council (NSC) has highlighted circumstances that can cause death in an odds of dying chart that notes high probable causes of death, some of which can be directly related to home repairs.
As indicated by the NSC, these causes of death include the following:
- Falls
- Unintentional drowning and submersion
- Exposure to fire, flames, or smoke
- Exposure to electric current, radiation exposure, excessive temperatures, and pressure
- Exposure to excessive natural heat
- Contact with sharp objects
- Contact with heat and hot substances
- Contact with hornets, wasps, and bees
- Lightning strikes
Repair projects that could expose you to these dangers, or result in these eventualities, are ones you should never attempt.
Who Knew Ductwork Could Be Life Threatening?
Image via Flickr by alangraham999
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), of which ductwork is a major part, requires the knowledge and skills of a trained expert. In addition, you need to use specialized tools and equipment.
You could also unknowingly expose yourself to asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos is a major health hazard, and exposure to asbestos can lead to cancer.
Ductwork installation and cleaning is best left to the professionals. They will know how to check your home’s ducts for asbestos and other concerns before carrying out the job.
Roofing Jobs Are a High Risk
Image via Flickr by Public Domain Photos
Never attempt a roofing job by yourself. Ascending a ladder and accessing your roof could result in a life-threatening fall.
Roofing experts warn that even with the best safety equipment, you could injure yourself by breaking a limb, hitting your head, or sustaining other serious issues.
Leave roofing jobs to the experts. Even a small leak in a roof may not turn out to be a simple matter to repair.
Electrical Work Is a Serious Matter
Even the simplest of electrical jobs around the home, such as changing a light switch, requires extreme caution. You could electrocute yourself if you don’t know what you are doing.
If you are not competent working with electrical devices, you should not take on any kind of electrical work. Electricity is not something to be tampered with.
Leave the simple or complicated electrical projects to competent electricians. They have the required permits and safety training to carry out these types of jobs. They will also make sure that repairs get completed properly and do not expose you to danger later on.
Putting yourself in harm’s way is not worth the money you think you’ll save on home projects you believe you can DIY. Contract for the services of professionals to carry out the types of home projects and repairs listed above.