Home projects that you shouldn't attempt by yourself

This is a collaborative post

Most homeowners like to think that they’re more than capable of fixing things around the house. Given the recent rise in the cost of living, it is more tempting than ever to reach for the toolkit and look for a how-to guide on YouTube. But there are many problems in the home that need a professional to avoid accident, injury, or damage to the property. Here are just a few of the most important.

Anything to do with the boiler

If you have any concerns about your boiler, you should always call a professional. Making a mistake with any appliance that involves gas or electricity, and which also involves water, is asking for trouble if you do not know what you are doing. You may be risking your safety and your family’s if you try to fix it yourself, so get an expert involved.

Fixing the roof

The statistics for people who have hurt themselves while up on their roofs trying to fix a tile, a leak, a gutter or even the TV aerial are pretty staggering. There are so many ways that you could injure yourself if you do not know what you are doing. You may also only end up fixing a symptom of a larger problem. Finding roofers near you can be easy. Visit MyBuilder to put your project out there and receive quotes from their local roofers. You can read reviews from their previous clients and compare bids to find one that’s right for you.

Photo credit Raze Solar via Unsplash

Serious electrical repairs

We are talking about more complex issues than changing fixtures here. Even if you think you know what you are doing, there are so many ways for things to go wrong when you are dealing with electrics. If you think that you need to break out some power tools to handle it, then you should always consult a professional. It only takes something very small to go wrong to end up with a terrible electric shock.

Major plumbing issues

There are a lot of problems with your sinks, bathroom fixtures and loo that you can probably fix yourself. Everyone has had to pick up a plunger or tighten a tap at some point, but there comes a time when you need to admit that you need a plumber. It is easy for you to start doing damage to the pipes (putting chemicals down on top of a blockage is a classic example). And you may also be unaware of an issue that is out of sight. For example, if tree roots, frost or flood damage have impacted a pipe as we saw a lot of over Christmas, it will wreak havoc on everything else. Call a plumber to avoid making any situation worse.

Gas fittings on ovens

If you are moving anything that involves a gas fitting, you are taking a serious risk. Even if you think you have put it back the exact way it was, you can never know for sure. A gas leak is one of the most dangerous things that can happen in your home. All it takes is a spark. Or you and your family could be breathing in toxic fumes without you knowing it. It is always better to call a professional.