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If you consider yourself a fairly handy homeowner, then you might consider it a point of pride that you don’t need to hire professionals for much and that you can DIY all sorts of trouble that comes your way. This is undoubtedly a good priority to have, but sometimes it can costly, counter-productive and even dangerous to try to DIY it. Here are a few instances you should think to leave it to the pros.
Converting your spaces
It might seem like a simple task to add flooring, proper walls, and more to your attic or your basement, the truth is that conversions can be a lot trickier than you might think. For lofts, there’s the risk of putting your foot in the wrong place and going not just through the ceiling, but through a pipe. For the basement, you should make sure you have a professional to look at what you can do to manage moisture that tends to build up down there, too.
When it’s anything to do with the electrics
The most that you should be willing to do when it comes to your wiring is to change a lightbulb or change a fuse. Even then, safety should be paramount and you should look up all the precautions you should be taking. Otherwise, if you think there are issues with the wiring or electrics in the house, then you should look for no less than a licensed electrician. Given the health risk and fire risk that any electrical mistakes can pose, you should always be wary of them.
Play it safe with your plumbing
While it might not be as much of a health and safety risk, your plumbing is another part of the home that you shouldn’t think to tinker with too much. If you’re able to locate and turn off the mains then some little tasks, like changing the washer on your tap, might be doable. However, attempting to fix any leaks or to change pipes can see major water damage if you’re not careful or, at the very least, see you unable to access your water until you can get your mistake fixed. For that reason, you should have the number of a local plumber at the ready.
Removing any walls
It is possible to safely, and carefully, remove a wall from the home by yourself. However, what can be much trickier is identifying whether the wall is or is not essential for the structural integrity of the building. If you’re looking to tear down any wall or even to make space for a door or a window, you should look to renovation specialists first. They will better be able to look at the construction of the home and perhaps even find its plans to tell you which walls you can and can’t mess with.
Again, there’s nothing wrong with being self-reliant, nor seeing what you can fix on your own given the opportunity. However, you should know your limits, and know when a pro can be the more cost-effective and sensible option.
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