Some DIY projects require quite specialized knowledge and experience. Most homeowners should stay away from them. The job may turn out badly and hiring a contractor to repair it is costly. Safety and insurance could be compromised.
Dangerous or Hazardous DIYs
Any DIY project can turn dangerous without proper equipment and planning. Adding electricity, heat, or water can make things worse. Work must adhere to building codes and be inspected to meet insurance requirements.
Electrical
Home electrical jobs include everything from changing a lightbulb to changing the panel. Bulbs and fixtures are fairly simple DIY projects that most people should be able to accomplish.
Changing panels, upgrading services, or wiring basements and additions are best left to licensed professionals. Permits and inspections are often needed for electrical work.
All electrical work has the potential of shocks, fires, falling, and death. When in doubt, call an electrician. Every DIY electrical project starts by turning off the breaker.
Heating and Gas
Repairing, replacing, or installing gas appliances is always best left to professionals. Natural gas water heaters, for instance, need plumbing, electrical, and gas hookups. Most jurisdictions require ticketed tradesmen, permits, and inspections.
Gas leaks are not only dangerous to the home’s occupants but to entire neighborhoods. Insurance companies often deny coverage if a DIY project causes the claim.
Plumbing
Out and in jobs like changing taps, faucets, and showerheads are fairly simple. Read the directions and get it done. More complicated projects usually require a licensed plumber.
Many houses have mixtures of copper, steel, ABS, and Pex water and waste lines. Connecting them so they work and don’t leak is often a challenge. Professional plumbing contractors have the knowledge and experience. They provide warranties. Your insurance company may not cover leaks and flooding caused by DIY work.
Home Repair DIYs
Most home DIY projects are not hazardous but they can still be dangerous. They can be costly to repair if done improperly.
Windows, Doors, and Skylights
Dual-glazed windows weigh approximately five pounds per square foot. A 6’ x 5’ window weighs 150 lbs. Installation requires a stable platform, waterproofing knowledge, and carpentry skills. Glass is fairly strong, but when it breaks, it is done.
Doors need to be installed level, plumb, and square to operate properly for a long time. No one wants to be adjusting them continuously.
Skylights add much to a room. They are difficult and dangerous to install and finish. Skylights, windows, and doors leak if done wrong. Leave them to professionals.
Adding or Replacing Insulation
Removing asbestos insulation is not an option in some places. It must be done by certified professionals. Adding insulation over asbestos attic insulation is dangerous because asbestos fibers are carcinogenic. Asbestos was used as wall batts and duct wrap in addition to attic insulation. Vermiculite may also contain asbestos.
Before starting an insulation project, find out what you are dealing with. Test kits are available online from home supply outlets. Or have a certified contractor do an inspection.
Installing an Overhead Garage Door or Replacing the Spring
Garage doors are heavy and awkward, and require the proper installation and alignment of multiple parts. If installed wrong, they might not open, may fall, or wear out quicker. Tensioning springs is dangerous. Garage door malfunctions have killed or injured over 100 people in a 15-year span. Protect your family, yourself, and your warranty by hiring a professional.
Siding, Stucco, and Roofing
Over 44,000 people died from falls in 2021. Exterior finishing always requires ladders and scaffolding. It involves carrying, lifting, and installing heavy and/or awkward material properly.
Courtesy: LinkedIn – There is nothing good about this siding scaffold setup.
Siding and roofing installation may look easy but it requires specialized knowledge about waterproofing, ice dams, etc. Serious water damage can occur to walls and living spaces if the exterior is not sealed properly. Hiring a professional contractor is the safer option.
Aesthetic DIYs
Not all DIY projects are dangerous or hazardous. Doing them improperly can cost a lot to have someone fix the mistakes.
Refinishing Hardwood Floors
A poor DIY job of stripping, sanding down, and refinishing true hardwood floors lowers the resale value of a home. Dips and humps are obvious. Laminate cannot be sanded down but some people have tried–and failed. Find an experienced contractor to refinish, replace, or install hardwood flooring.
Pouring Concrete Or Installing Tile
Fixing a concrete or concrete product mistake takes time and effort. Repairs are also very costly when concrete is involved. Concrete work is not a good DIY option unless you have experience.
Leveling concrete floors, patios, or sidewalks properly requires experience and talent. Improperly installed floor and wall tiles do not fit smoothly and may crack and fall off. Removing tile adhesive can destroy drywall and subfloors.
