10 DIY Home Hacks That Are Actually Ruining Your House

This post may contain affiliate links.

People often jump head first into DIY projects in an effort to save money or feel a little bit handier around the house, without thinking about the long term. With social media trends, tips from well meaning friends, it’s easy to think that any home hack is a good one. However, not every trick you see on Pinterest or Instagram should be practiced. In reality, some of these tried and true DIY shortcuts may actually do more harm than good, chipping away at your home’s value or causing problems that will cost you big down the line.

Let’s take a look at some common DIY home hacks that may be quietly wrecking your house, despite your good intentions.

Peel-and-Stick Tiles in Wet Areas

Cheap, easy to install, and a fast way to liven up any room, peel-and-stick tiles are a DIYer’s dream. They don’t last long, however, if they end up in high moisture areas like bathrooms or kitchens. The adhesive backing is not meant to last being in contact with water or humidity for prolonged periods of time — you’ll quickly see the tiles curling up or falling off. It looks bad, but it also can allow moisture to seep into your walls or subfloor, which is much more expensive to fix.

Mounting Heavy Items Without Wall Anchors

Crates Mounted On Wall — Photo Credit: Lisa Fotios/Pexels

Many have been guilty of believing that a screw or a nail will hold up anything, but without the proper support that shelf or television could come crashing down. Simply putting holes in drywall is not going to cut it because drywall can’t hold up to heavy weights, so if you’re not using wall anchors, you might be risking broken TV’s, or worse, a hole in the wall. They are inexpensive and easy to use, and give you the strength to keep your items mounted safely.

Painting Tile Floors

If you want to change a room without breaking the bank on new flooring, painting over tile floors is an appealing idea. But here’s the catch: The wear and tear of foot traffic just won’t be enough for even the most durable paints. Paint can chip, peel, or scuff and leave you with a floor that is worse than before. On top of that, you’ll have a hard time finding a sealant that’s durable enough to keep it looking sharp over time.

When You Fail to Provide Proper Support When Removing Load-Bearing Walls

Man Standing On A Stepladder Putting Tape On Wall — Photo Credit: Blue Bird/Pexels

Everyone’s into open floor plans, but taking down a wall without checking if it’s load-bearing is an expensive mistake. Removing a load bearing wall can cause the ceiling to sag or worse, collapse if the right support isn’t installed. If you’re feeling cramped and want more open space, always consult a professional before knocking down any walls.

Painting Over Old Wallpaper

Side View of a Woman in Striped Shirt and Denim Jeans Holding a Paint Brush — Photo Credit: Nataliya Vaitkevich/Pexels

A quick way to modernize a room is to slap a coat of paint over outdated wallpaper, but it is a recipe for disaster. It can cause the wallpaper to bubble or peel and when that happens, it won’t be pretty. Trying to remove wallpaper after painting only makes it infinitely more difficult and leaves you with a bigger mess than if you had just stripped it down in the first place. For tips on budget-friendly DIY walls, check out this article on Frenzhub.

DIY Electrical Work

Are You Safe? 15 Sneaky Electrical Fire Hazards in Your Home — Image Credit:Ksenia Chernaya/Pexels

Playing around with electrical systems is not an easy do it yourself project, it’s dangerous. Electrical fires, power outages, and serious injury can result from wiring that’s not up to code or installed improperly. There are some areas where it’s best to leave things to the experts. If you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t go down to the basement and try to rewire your house, because it’s going to cost you an expensive trip to the ER, or worse.

Vinegar to Clean Everything

Vinegar is marketed as an all natural cleaning marvel, but using it everywhere comes with a cost. It’s very acidic and can damage surfaces that are natural stone, hardwood floors, and even some metals. It can over time eat away at finishes dulling the shine or etch surfaces permanently. Vinegar is great for some things, but it’s best to use something designed specifically for more delicate materials.

Using Caulk Instead of Grout

Re-caulking a Bathtub or Shower — Photo Credit: Pexels

While caulking is easier to apply than grout, it doesn’t work the same way. Water and structural movement are two things that grout is designed to withstand, so it is the right material to use to fill gaps between tiles. Caulk, however, is for use around edges, not between tiles. Caulk can break down over time, and let water seep in, leading to mold or water damage. According to TheTile Doctor, caulk is good to keep on hand. It certainly isn’t a substitute for grout by any means.

Reusing Old Wood Without Treating It

Old wood has a rustic charm, but you can bring pests and rot into your home if you are using it without cleaning or treating it properly. You might be tempted to pick up that gorgeous, aged board you scored at a flea market and pound it to your wall, but if it hasn’t been treated for insects or decay, you’re asking for trouble. Prepping reclaimed wood properly will save you from bigger problems down the road.

Expanding Foam as a Stand-alone Seal for Gaps

Expanding foam is great for filling gaps but on its own sealing cracks in exterior walls is more likely to do more harm than good. Foam actually over expands causing pressure that can bow window frames or siding. But even worse is that if you don’t cover it up properly, the foam will break down over time and allow moisture and pests in, so always use it with other materials to create a stable, secure seal.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.