Never DIY these 3 Home Repairs

Often homeowners are lead to believe they can handle an assortment of DIY projects around the home. There are countless step-by-step videos and how-to tutorials available to homeowners from our favorite shows and content creators. From installing new flooring to remodeling an outdated fireplace, many homeowners have embraced their talents at do-it-yourself projects. However, there are some projects that need to remain in the professionals’ hands. In this article, we’ll go over these types of repairs.

Electrical Repairs

Everyone knows electricity is dangerous. Yet despite knowing this common risk thousand of homeowners still shock themselves by changing out light fixtures, ceiling fans, or replacing switches & outlets. Often in homes, fixtures are not grounded and many homeowners do not know why you need to “ground” a wire. I recently had an electrical contractor perform upgrades throughout my own home and we found that only a handful of lighting and ceiling fixtures were properly “grounded”. Ungrounded electrical wiring is a home fire waiting to happen. The other common reason for shocks is inadvertently working with live circuits, we assume that since the breaker is “off” and the light switch is off there shouldn’t be any power to the fixture. This can be an easy mistake because as homeowners we do not know how every circuit in a home is wired. It’s best to avoid the risk of shocking yourself and your wallet by hiring a licensed electrician.

In the State of Florida, there is a limitation on tasks that handymen can perform without a contractor’s license, and electrical is one of them. It’s highly recommended that all electrical work be handled by a licensed electrician contractor. I bring this up because a do-it-yourself approach to electrical work is very likely to be caught and brought up on a home inspection report.

Roofing Repairs

I bring up roofing for two specific reasons; safety and level of experience needed to properly repair a roof. In the United States, there are more than 500,000 injuries reported annually from ladders and roofs alone. In addition to the risk of falling there is the risk of damaging your roof’s materials by walking on them incorrectly. Certain roof types such as clay tile or concrete tile roofs are very brittle and can crack under a normal body weight when being stepped on. Other roof types such as slate and metal roofs are very easy to slip on and are recommended not to be walked on either by the manufacturers or roof installation companies. Additionally slope on a roof plays a large role in how accessible the roof is.

Often when it comes to inspecting the roof of a home, inspectors are looking for previous repairs, installation problems, fastener issues, and flashing issues among many other potential items. Unfortunately, there are many poor repairs on roofs done by previous owners, by using incorrect roofing materials or poor patching methods. It’s best to find a local qualified roofer in your area that can show their previous repair work and back up their experience.

Plumbing Repairs

Most homeowners assume plumbing issues can be easy to solve and inexpensive if fixed in a do-it-yourself fashion. Some tasks such as replacing a faucet or showerhead can be an easy home repair, but there’s are a lot of tasks related to plumbing that can lead to more damages if installed incorrectly. Leaks in a home mean costly repairs, and often the damages are in full swing by the time we notice them. I always recommend a licensed plumber on any plumbing repair or update. They bring the knowledge and expertise to diagnose problems quickly and effectively and often warranty their work for added peace of mind.

Additionally, in the State of Florida, there is a limitation on tasks that handymen can perform without a contractor’s license, and plumbing is one of them. It’s highly recommended that all plumbing work be handled by a licensed plumbing contractor.

If you are considering buying a home in the Orlando area; you will need a home inspection from a state-licensed inspector Our home inspections consist of a thorough examination of all systems and components of the home. See one of our sample home inspection reports. We’re always here to answer any questions, well after your home inspection. Let our local staff help you make an informed decision about the shape of your home.