10 Essential Repairs You Shouldn’t Do Yourself

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While doing your own home repairs can be both satisfying and cost effective – some projects are meant to be left to the pros. Yes, fixing a leaky faucet or painting a wall will make you feel like a DIY superhero, but sometimes these repairs require a little more than an Allen wrench and a brush. In certain cases, diving in with little knowledge can do more harm than good to you, your home and your safety.

Some repair jobs can be dangerous, or high cost, or both if done incorrectly. Here are a few of them.

Electrical Work

Just because handling electrical repairs appears like matching colored wires doesn’t mean small mistakes can’t result in fires or severe injuries. The National Fire Protection Association reports that faulty electrical work leads to an average of 46,700 fires in U.S. homes annually. Saving a few bucks isn’t worth the risk. If you need rewiring, breaker box repair, or have a need to have new circuits installed, call a licensed electrician.

Roof Repairs

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Sure, that roof doesn’t look like it will be too difficult to patch up, but climbing up there is no walk in the park. Without proper safety gear, slips and falls are common. You might be fine on a ladder, but there’s a lot to go wrong when it comes to fixing shingles or sealing the leaks – and all of that can be very expensive water damage. Roofing pros are trained to do steep slopes and know how to spot things you would miss.

Plumbing Overhauls

While it’s certainly possible to fix a dripping faucet, trying to replace pipes or reroute water lines is another thing entirely. It can lead to a misstep and flooding or mold growth. If you think years of training can be replaced by a quick YouTube tutorial, think again. Even the slightest mistakes in plumbing can turn into major structural damage. For big projects, it’s always worth consulting a pro.

Gas Line Repairs

Smell gas? That’s your cue to back away and call a professional right away. Gas line work is not only risky, it’s dangerous. Gas leaks, explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning can result from a small error. In fact, many states are so stringent that they even require certified technicians to perform these repairs, rendering DIY enthusiasts out of luck.

HVAC Repairs

While your heating and cooling system is important to your comfort, it’s not a do it yourself project. Modern day HVAC units are complicated, and as such, a small mistake could mess up the system or void your warranty. Also, the refrigerants used with cooling systems are dangerous if mishandled. Let’s leave this one to the experts and save yourself the headache and potentially a sweltering summer.

Structural Changes

If you are considering knocking down a wall to open up your living space, you’re not alone. Before you pick up that sledgehammer, take a moment to think of what might be inside that wall. Removing load bearing walls without reinforcing them can have catastrophic results. These are changes that should be assessed and carried out by a structural engineer or contractor.

Asbestos Removal

Old insulation or tiles in your home before the 1980s may contain asbestos. It’s not dangerous when undisturbed, but attempting to remove it yourself can release toxic fibers into the air, resulting in serious respiratory diseases. It is something that certified abatement professionals have the tools and knowledge to safely handle.

Tree Removal

What could possibly go wrong with cutting down a tree to test your lumberjack skills? Well, it’s a hazardous job. When trees fall, they usually fall in a way you don’t expect, and that’s especially true when they fall near your house, near your power lines or near your neighbor’s. Specialized equipment is used by arborists to safely remove trees with no property damage… or a viral fail video.

Foundation Repairs

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A problem with your foundation can indicate you have shifting soil or water damage. It’s tempting to seal them up with DIY kits, but foundation problems need an expert’s eye to know what’s causing them. If repairs aren’t done properly, it could end up causing more damage, and compromise the stability of your home.

Window Replacement

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Changing an old window might not seem like rocket science, but it’s actually not easy. If the frame isn’t perfectly aligned or sealed, you could get drafts, leaks, or warped glass. Professional installers know exactly how to ensure your new window fits like a glove saving you from future repairs and energy bills.

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