Around half of all homebuyers tackle a DIY project at some point in their lives, meaning that only half of projects are completed by dedicated professionals. The figures are even higher for millennials, around 73% of which dabble in DIY for work such as wallpapering a wall, making compost, installing vinyl flooring, and painting doors or walls. Some projects, however, should never be tackled by novices. These include gas line repairs, which can cause serious damage to a home, as well as bodily harm, if an accident occurs. If renovations, replacements, or design projects are in your horizon, pay heed to key signs that work should be left to specialized professionals.
It Involves Pipe Replacements or Unclogging Drains
Quality, well-placed pipes can last a lifetime, but there are telltale signs that a replacement is in order. These include discolored water, having less resilient pipes that are at the end of their lifespan, and pipe damage (including discoloration, dimpling, or flaking). Piping can seem like a doable DIY task, but you may find that your work results in leaks and mold—which can force you to pay much more than you bargained for to fix the problem. The same considerations should be applied to clogged drains. A slow drain could simply be a precursor to a complete clog—which in turn could cause flooding, a buildup of dangerous bacteria, mold, pest infestations, and more. Be wary of local trends and spending habits that may go against due maintenance in your home. Some states, like Texas, have a much higher per capita maintenance expenditure than others. Still, look closer and you may find that many of your neighbors are relying on local companies to keep their drains in check. For instance, when it comes to drain cleaning Greenwood, Indiana is one of the places with the highest rates of successful home repairs, despite the fact that other states (including Florida, California, and Illinois) generally spend more on professional home services than they do in Indiana.
A Wall Needs to Be Knocked Down
Many renovators knock down walls to create open floor plans and enable natural light to flood into their homes. However, you should never remove a wall if you are not completely sure that it isn’t crucial to your home’s stability. Unless you are used to this type of work, you could also injure your shoulder or arm, since the work can be quite intense. Of course, injuries can be much more severe if the wall or ceiling collapses, or beams fall onto the area where you are working.
Heavy Lifting is Required
Moving objects that are heavy or awkward to handle can result in musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains, strains, soft tissue injuries, and fractures. Simply carrying a heavy piece of equipment or material and engaging in twisting, pushing, or pulling motions can be enough to cause an injury that can take weeks or longer to recover from. To lift mid-weight items such as furniture to make space for your project, make sure to study the correct position for lifting and divide the weight between more than one person to reduce the chance of back and shoulder injuries.
The Project Requires the Use of Tools You Don’t Have
DIY projects can be fun and cost-saving whenever you don’t have to invest too much in materials or equipment. While affordable equipment like glue guns, small drills, or cutters are fine to buy for specific projects, other equipment (for instance, professional vacuums that suck debris out of wall cavities) may be too costly to be worthwhile. If you will be carrying out extensive work, this type of machine may be necessary but before heading to the store, think of the long-term use of the items on your list. If equipment costs several hundred dollars or more, then it should be something you will need repeatedly over the years.
Around half of all Americans enjoy tackling DIY jobs to improve the functionality or appearance of their homes. Typical projects that can easily and safely be carried out include painting walls, applying wallpaper, and fitting ready-made flooring. If jobs involve costly equipment or potentially dangerous tasks such as changing pipes, however, they are probably best left to trained, experienced professionals.
