17 bad DIY projects to avoid, according to the benefits of improving the house
Do not attempt in DIY these home improvement projects - they are better left to professionals.
The maintenance of the house is undeniably expensive. Something like seemingly simple than a minorPlumbing or fallen gutter leakage Can you give you hundreds of dollars-if they are not thousands of dollars of repairs, especially if the question is not frequented as soon as possible. It is therefore not surprising that many owners are impatient toDIY their own house repairs Whenever possible, not only save them a lot of money, but giving it a sense of pride when they finish the project. The only problem? In many cases,Treatment of these answers at home is not a smart idea - and could even be a potentially dangerous. With the help of superior home improvement professionals, we gathered the original projects that you should never try to tinker.
1 Removal of chipped paint
Remove a small chipped paint from your skirts may seem like a simple job, but itcould cause serious health problems If you are not careful. If your house was built before 1978 - even if it was widely renovated - there is a good chance that there waslead-based paint Hide somewhere, which can be toxic when ingested or inhaled.
Given the "significant health risks associated with collaboration with lead-based painting" and preventive measures needed to do this project safely, "a leading leader management professional can be your best option" , declaresMark ScottPresident ofMark IV Builders, Inc.
2 Restoring your Plumbing Bathroom
You may be able to repair a sink leaking or running toilet yourself, but do not try to demolish and rebuild your bathroom plumbing without getting a professional involved. "Plumbing and electricity in a remedy of the bathroom are so close to the proximity that it is imperative that you have the right person with the expertise," says Scott. And if you need more evidence than DIY-ING This original project is a bad idea, Scott says there is a potential for "disastrous" results such as electrocution and flooding.
3 Fixing roof shingles
Although it may seem like if you do not do much to deal with some missing shingles yourself, if you do it so bad, you give your home forMajor material damage. According to the home inspectorAndrew Walton, Owner ofCommon Concerns Home Inspections, A bad DIY work can cause "leaks in the attic, water draining water behind the coating instead of the gutter and will cancel any manufacturer's warranty."
4 Installing a new luminaire
Online tutorials allow you to install new light devices seem quite easily, but there are enough risks you'd better call a professional for it.
"Even if you turn off the stop, there could still be live wiring in the box", you highlight electrocution, saysSean Dore, owner of Mr. Electric de Lafayette and Mr. Electric of East Baton Rouge, twoNeighborly companies in Louisiana.
5 Replacing your electrical panel
While having the appropriate electrical panel to cover the energy needs of your home canReduce your risk of fire from homeInstalling a new panel yourself is never a good idea. Dore Notes There is risk of electrocution, non-compliance of the code and safety concerns similar to fire fires, which come with wiring work of bad DIY. You will better leave this task complicated to the authorized professionals.
6 Demolition of electrical components
Even if you feel as if you could safely remove an output box or junction yourself, hiring an authorized electrician will serve you better in the long run. In addition to requiring specific permits, "an authorized professional will help you determine what can and can not be done before starting to tear things," saysJohn Judd, Jr., co-owner ofJudd builders in Asheville, North Carolina.
7 Dry partition repair
Do you think you have what it takes to dry up a room because you have the time and tools necessary for work? Still think. "The hanging dry partition coating and the Scottish coating takes skills and is messy," says Judd. He warns that the jobs of DIY often lack the Polish of the work done by a professional.
8 Finishing of unfinished rooms
Thisunfinished attic May seem like a point of choice to add frames and dry partitions, but in the same way, if you do not use a professional to manage the job, you can end up in serious problems.
"If you do not have architectural designs with loads calculated by an engineer and a contractor with a lot of experience, it's a disaster recipe," saysRyan Masker, Owner ofTandem contracting. This can even add too much weight to your home and likely to cause structural problems over time.
9 Drilling in the walls
The suspension of a television booth seems quite simple - until you find yourself selling with a much larger repair, that is to say. When drilling for installation, "you may not know that the threads and pipes run on the back of your wall," saysHarry H. Knowles, a home security expert at home repairFantastic services. He says that amateurs can move away, illuminate a pipe or even cause gas leak if they are not cautious.
10 Replacement of windows
This may seem like a simple job, but make a mistake when replacing your windows could result in significant expenses in the line. "An amateur window installation canIncrease your energy bills, says Knowles.
Another concern with a DIY job? Even the smallest gap between the window, the frame and the walls can prepare you for water leaks and mold damage.
11 Add a skylight
Installation of a skylight caninstantly brighten any room-Or ruin it, if you are not careful. "If this is not perfectly installed, it will ultimately require considerable problems," saysRichard James d'Angelo, project manager atJWE Remodeling and Roofing In Hannover, Pennsylvania. What kind of problems do you ask? Potential floods, rot and mold, he warns.
And even if you have a professional tracker of this project, make sure you are careful, Angelo recommends ensuring that there is a guarantee on the skylight itself and the work of the contractor.
12 Replace an electric cooker with a gas
Eager toDitch this old electric stove For a range of gas? Account for a tax on the contractor as well as the device itself. "The gas is both toxic and flammable," bonds experience a significant percentage of gas accidents due to incorrect assembly, connection or installation problems with stoves.
13 Remove insulation
Want toKeep your heater back in winter And cooler in summer? Call in an expert before starting to delete your existing insulation. Many older houses have asbestos in their insulation, carcinogen. Knowles recommends "planning a thorough inspection of documents" by professionals instead of selling yourself with a bad DIY work.
14 Develop your basement
Even if you consider yourself relatively useful or you have a construction experience, you prefer to let the execution of this spaciousMakeover basement Benefits. However, you need a contractor to do more than just make sure everything happens to the code. "It is important that the basement expansions are executed extremely carefully toPrevent snow water and heavy rains To flood space, "says Scott.
15 Repair your HVAC unit
It's not because you are equipped to install a window air conditioner does not mean that you have the skills needed to review your central CVC system. Since your CVC system uses chemical refrigerants, "the smallest mistake canrelease toxic pollutants in the airFrom your home or office, explains Knowles, noting that electric shocks are another major concern of DIY HVAC jobs.
16 Remove an evaporate cooler
Take this old evaporate cooler of your roof requires much more than one ladder and a grease with elbow. In addition to the danger of falling from the roof while trying to remove the cooler, "get them lowered or dropped from the roof can also add an extra danger for anyone on the ground," saysMason Stout, a roofing contractorPioneer roof In Utah. It recommends hiring a roofer or HVAC technology to handle the job instead.
17 Installing a mini-divided system
A mini-split system can keep houses without hot driving in winter and coolest in summer withoutMajor renovationBut that does not mean that they are a Diyers project should tackle. "Not only can a bad installation can lead to poor performance and premature failure, but you would also risk the guarantee of your manufacturer in case of problems," saysMatte daigle, CEO and founder of the company's sustainable improvement companyTo augment.