10 DIY Projects You Should Never Attempt at Home (But Everyone Does)
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There’s something about DIY projects that make them such a great way to save money, get creative, and even give a personal touch to your home. But, let’s be real, not every project you see online should be attempted by just anyone. Some tasks might seem easy enough in a YouTube tutorial but can turn into a massive headache (and repair bill) if you do it wrong. However, people still take a dive into these complicated DIY tasks thinking, ‘How hard can it be?’
Before you get too excited about your next weekend project, here are 10 DIY projects you should really think twice about before taking on—because some of the most common DIY tasks can actually do more harm than good.
Electrical Wiring
You may have seen it: someone rewiring their home confidently after watching a quick tutorial online. Yes, replacing a light fixture sounds easy, but even one mistake with electrical work can lead to fire hazards or electrocution. It’s always best to leave this one to the pros if you’re not trained in electrical work. A small mistake could quickly become a big safety issue.
Plumbing Repairs
A leaky faucet or installing a new toilet may not seem like a big deal. But if you screw up something as simple as a plumbing project, you might be dealing with a flood in your home. If you have one loose connection or one improperly sealed connection you will have water damage that will cost you much more than just calling a plumber in the first place. We promise you, water has a knack for getting into places it shouldn’t.
Knocking Down Walls
Who doesn’t want a little more space, and open floor plans are all the rage. While knocking down walls without realizing which ones are load bearing can cause structural damage or worse, a collapse. Wall’s just “in the way” you might think, until you grab a sledgehammer and consult with a structural engineer or contractor to avoid a disaster.
Roof Repairs
Isn’t it so easy? Just climb up a ladder and replace a couple shingles, right? Wrong. Not only is roofing physically dangerous, but it demands expertise to be done right, including proper sealing and ventilation. Even during harsh weather, a minor mistake can cause leaks, mold growth or even roof collapse. Plus, being up on a roof can be a dangerous business, so leave this one to the professionals who know what they are doing.
Installing Windows
Installing new, energy efficient windows sounds like a great DIY weekend project—until you realize that poorly installed windows can result in drafts, water damage and even a weakened house structure. Installing windows is precision work: from measuring, to insulation, to exact placement. If you don’t want to spend cold nights and money on repairs, this is one project that needs expertise.
Tile Installation
Laying tile appears simple enough on the surface, but there’s a lot more to it than slapping down some adhesive and plunking tiles on the floor. Uneven surfaces and cracked tiles may occur due to improper spacing, leveling and grout application. And, getting rid of a bad tile job is a tedious and expensive process. This is another task worth hiring out if you don’t want to live with crooked floors.
Tree Removal
Do you have a tree in your yard that’s blocking your view or taking up too much space? Don’t grab a chainsaw without thinking twice. It’s easy to think cutting down a tree is no big deal, but doing it wrong could result in it falling on your house, a neighbor’s fence or even a power line. It’s dangerous to climb and being around heavy equipment, not to mention the consequences. This kind of work is done safely by trained arborists.
Gas Appliance Installation
Gas stove or new water heater? Don’t try to DIY this one. Gas lines are extremely dangerous to work with if you don’t know what you’re doing. Gas leaks, fires or explosions could be the result of a small mistake. If you’re looking at gas appliances, let a certified technician do the job to keep your home safe.
Major Bathroom Renovations
Updating your bathroom can add a lot of value to your home, however, attempting a full renovation on your own will often end in regret. There are just too many ways to mess up a bathroom remodel from improper waterproofing to incorrect plumbing installation. There are just some things that you should leave to the professionals, such as water damage, mold and inefficient plumbing systems.
Foundation Repairs
Trying to fix cracks in the foundation of your home can be a serious issue, but trying to do it yourself? That’s asking for trouble. It is not something that you can tackle by yourself as it requires specialized equipment and knowledge to assess and repair foundation. If you do not execute a fix properly, you can actually end up creating further structural problems that will compromise the integrity of your house. One place where you need a professional opinion (and help) is this.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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