More and more people are determined to save money when it comes to getting the home that they want, and DIY is getting more and more popular. This is especially true after lockdown, when lots of people decided to get on with the jobs around the house that they had been putting off, while they had the time. Not all jobs require the help of a professional, and there are lots of repairs or even simple renovation work like redecorating or wallpapering that you can easily do yourself if you’ve got the time to learn some DIY skills.
However, that being said, there are some jobs that you should always avoid doing on your own, as it can be very dangerous if you don’t have the know-how. Major structural work and other types of jobs around the house should always be carried out by a trained professional for your safety and the safety of your property. And, attempting to do them by yourself could end up with you voiding your home insurance policy. Some types of major structural work that you should always avoid doing by yourself include:
Electrical Work
Most electrical work in the home is simply not worth trying to do on your own. Of course, you might have some basic skills, like being able to change a light fitting, but anything more complicated is always best left to the professionals. Whether you want recessed spotlights in your kitchen or bathroom, a new electric cooker installed in your kitchen, or a new thermostat installed, a professional electrician will ensure that the job is done safely and properly. Any bigger jobs, like a full rewire of your home, should never be attempted on your own – it’s simply not worth the risk.
Paint Removal
You might assume that removing old paint from your home is a simple and easy procedure. However, it is always best to approach this type of work with caution. This is because if your home is old, there is a chance that there might be lead in any old paint that was used to decorate it years ago. It might be in the top layer of paint or hidden deep down several layers back after being painted over a fair few times over the year. If you go ahead and strip or sand down the paint, you could end up releasing lead into the air and causing a dangerous situation. It might be a better idea to hire a professional such as a handyman near me who has experience in these situations. You can try searching for one here.
Plumbing
There are some things that you could safely do yourself when it comes to plumbing, as you’re unlikely to be in serious danger if you mess something up – you might just make a huge mess out of your bathroom or kitchen instead. Things like plumbing in a new washing machine or dishwasher, installing a new showerhead, fixing a blocked toilet, or replacing your kitchen taps can be easy enough to do on your own at home. However, anything more serious like replacing your entire bathroom, replacing major pipes, or even dethawing pipes that have been frozen is best done by a professional plumber.
Boiler Replacement
Another job that you should always hire a professional for is a boiler replacement. Since the boiler is connected to the gas mains, it can be a very dangerous job that can ultimately put your life at risk if you are not sure what you are doing. Most boilers will need to be replaced every ten years or so if you have a combi boiler. Getting a care plan or insurance for your boiler is a good idea, as this means that when the time comes to get a new one, a professional will be sent out to complete the job.
Loft Conversions
While most people wouldn’t attempt a DIY loft conversion, it might be something you’ve considered if you have a big loft and want to turn it into a space that you and your family can use in your home. However, loft conversions can be a lot of work and the last thing you want is to be halfway through, wondering what you have gotten yourself into. It’s also major structural work for your home as you will need to make some changes to make sure that the loft is usable, such as adding flooring. If you’re not a professional yourself, then it’s always best to work with a professional to get this job done – there is less chance of things going wrong, and you’ll get the best result.
Knocking Down Walls
Open-plan living spaces have been a big trend for quite some time so there are several reasons why you might be considering knocking down a wall in your home to create one big living, dining, and kitchen area. However, this could be major structural work, so you should always at the very least get some advice from a professional before you decide to get started. If the wall you want to knock down is a load bearing wall for the home, then this can cause all kinds of problems with your house over time if you don’t put alternative support in place before starting the project. Working with a professional will allow you to ensure that the job is done safely and correctly with no risk of future issues.
Why You Shouldn’t Attempt Major Structural Work
Along with things like electrical and plumbing repairs, changing or repairing your boiler, and other tasks around the home that are best carried out by a professional, major structural work is one of the most important ones to avoid. Not only could it be dangerous for you, but you could end up putting your entire property at risk if you attempt structural work such as knocking down walls without knowing what you are doing.
While knocking down a wall to create an open-plan living space or creating a new room in your house by building another wall might seem like an easy enough task, there is a lot that can go wrong. While you might get away with building a stud wall to create a new room without any issues, if you’re removing walls, there is a huge amount of risk. A trained professional will immediately be able to tell if the wall is load bearing, and the best ways to support the weight that would normally be supported by the wall after it has been removed. Without these steps in place, you’re at a real risk of the house collapsing!
Foundation work is also considered to be major structural work that’s best not messed with by a DIY-er. Foundation work is also considered to be major structural work that’s best not messed with by a DIY-er. Whether your foundation needs repairs, or you need a new damp-proof course installing, it’s wiser and probably cheaper in the end to hire a professional damp proofing agency to ensure the job is done properly and prevent any potential moisture-related issues, added Damp Proofing Hampshire.
Along with major structural work such as knocking down walls to create an open-plan living space, there are a few jobs around the home that are best left to the pros. No matter how handy you are when it comes to DIY, you just don’t want to risk it.
