There are many do-it-yourself home repair projects that can save homeowners money, but some jobs are best left to professional contractors. Attempting complex home repairs without expertise can be dangerous, lead to costly mistakes, and void warranties. Here are 10 home repairs you should always hire a pro for.
Electrical Work
Handling electrical work around your home can risk electrocution, fire, and irreparable damage if wiring is not done properly. Unless you are a licensed electrician, it’s wise to avoid any major electrical project in your house. Here are some electrical repairs to leave to the pros:
Replacing Main Service Panel
The main service panel is the central nervous system of your home’s electrical network. Upgrading it requires permits, adhering to local codes, and precise installation to avoid hazards. Leave it to a seasoned electrician.
Installing New Circuits and Outlets
Running new wiring for additional circuits and outlets requires drilling through framework and knowledge of load calculations. Improper electrical load distribution can overload circuits. Hire an electrician to ensure safety and compliance.
Repairing Appliances and Electronics
Don’t try to repair appliances, large electronics or devices with capacitors like microwaves and old TVs. You risk serious shock without proper training. Call a technician for any major electrical appliance repairs.
Rewiring Old Homes
Old wiring is prone to fraying, corrosion, overloading and other safety risks. Rewiring a whole house is extremely complicated, calling for complete access to wall interiors and specialized skills. Always hire electricians.
Installing Electrical for Additions
If you’re building an addition to your home, the new electrical work involved should meet code and integrate safely with your existing system. Improper wiring can jeopardize insulation and cause fires. Get professional help.
Plumbing Jobs
Like electrical work, plumbing projects require expertise to avoid flooding disasters, gas leaks, and bursting pipes. Don’t take chances on major plumbing repairs – call a licensed pro instead for:
Re-piping Old Homes
If your home has galvanized steel pipes from the 1950s or earlier, they are likely corroded and need replacement to avoid leaks and low water pressure. Re-piping an entire home calls for a professional plumber.
Sewer Line Repairs
Sewer line clogs, leaks and tree root invasions should always be handled by professionals. They have specialized augers, drain snakes and camera equipment along with knowledge of municipal sewer connections.
Gas Line Installations and Repairs
Gas lines carry serious risks if ruptured or installed incorrectly. The consequences of an accident while doing DIY gas line work are too grave. Always hire certified plumbers for any gas line projects.
Main Water Line Replacements
Replacing main water lines and valves is complicated by the need to shut off the municipal connection. Professionals have the tools and skills to minimize disruption to your home during the repair process.
Drain Cleaning in Old Homes
Drain cleaning in a vintage home often requires mechanical augers to clear mineral deposits and grease in old pipes. Hire a pro rather than risk puncturing pipes or scratching porcelain with harsh drain chemicals.
HVAC Repairs
Heating and cooling experts should handle any repairs to furnaces, heat pumps, central air and other HVAC systems. The risks include carbon monoxide poisoning, electrical shocks, and unit damage. HVAC jobs to avoid include:
Diagnosing Faulty Furnaces
If your furnace stops working properly, don’t go poking around its internal components. Only certified HVAC techs can safely inspect controls, fuel supplies, blower motors and heat exchangers for problems.
Fixing Heat Pumps
Faulty heat pumps can leak toxic refrigerants when mishandled. Trained HVAC pros have the tools and knowledge to safely locate and repair leaks, recharge coolant, and fix compressors. Don’t try DIY heat pump repairs.
Replacing Central AC Compressors
Compressors contain refrigerant under high pressure. Attempting a DIY replacement risks releasing these greenhouse gases. Hire certified cooling experts to remove and replace central air compressors.
Installing New HVAC Units
Installing heating and cooling equipment requires following local codes for permits, ventilation, ductwork and electrical hookups. Leave it to the seasoned pros and avoid potential DIY disasters.
Cleaning Ductwork
Improper duct cleaning methods can spread dust and mold spores in your home. HVAC companies use specialized vacuums and equipment to sanitize ducts safely. Trust the experts for this job.
Structural and Masonry Repairs
Any repairs to your home’s structure or masonry require engineering know-how to avoid collapse hazards. Don’t risk DIY disasters – get pros for:
Foundation and Basement Repairs
Cracked foundations need professional-grade epoxy sealing. Bowing walls may require pilings secured deep in the ground. Leave major foundation repairs like these to the structural engineering pros.
Chimney Repointing and Rebuilding
Repointing crumbling chimney mortar takes scaffolding and masonry expertise. Rebuilding damaged chimneys is even more complicated. Bring in experienced masons rather than risk a collapsed chimney.
House Leveling and Stabilization
A house that’s sinking or settle unevenly requires major adjustments to its foundation and structure. This work is best handled by contractors with specialized equipment for lifting and leveling.
Concrete Driveway, Sidewalk and Slab Repairs
Large cracks, crumbling sections, and significant damage to concrete slabs require more than just filling and patching. Hire concrete specialists for proper repairs.
Structural Damage from Pests or Water
Serious pest infestations and water damage can compromise walls, floors, roofs and other structural elements. Get professional assessments rather than cover up symptoms with DIY repairs.
Roofing Repairs
Your roof protects your entire home. Attempting Do-It-Yourself repairs on damaged roofs can have disastrous results. Leave major roofing jobs like these safely in the hands of experienced roofers:
Patching Holes and Leaks
Any significant roof damage beyond a few loose shingles should be remedied by a certified roofer. Improper repairs can lead to worse leaks. Professionals have the right tools.
Re-flashing Problematic Areas
Re-flashing around chimneys, vents and valleys requires roofing mastery to avoid leaks. Don’t risk hacking away at flashing issues yourself — hire a trusted roofer.
Complete Roof Replacements
Taking on a whole roof replacement as a DIY project is asking for trouble. Roofers have the necessary equipment and skills to rip off and install shingles safely and correctly.
Installing Skylights
Cutting holes in your roof requires precision and waterproof installation skills for skylight fixtures. Trying to DIY skylights could result in serious leaks down the road.
Gutter and Downspout Repairs
Seamless gutter repairs, downspout replacement and gutter cleaning are best left to seasoned professionals. Their workmanship and maintenance can help avoid ice dams and water damage.
Garage Door Repairs
Garage doors are under high tension and can cause serious injury if springs or cables snap. Avoid DIY repairs on garage doors beyond basic maintenance. Instead have professionals handle:
Torsion Spring Replacements
Garage door torsion springs can explode if wound incorrectly. Let seasoned garage door technicians replace them to avoid potential harm.
Broken Cable Repairs
Frayed and broken garage door cables can whip around dangerously when they detach. Hire pro technicians to replace damaged cables correctly and safely.
Bent Track Straightening
Bending and warping of garage door tracks can cause rollers to pop out. Attempting to straighten and realign them yourself is difficult and potentially hazardous.
Opener Motor Repairs
If your automatic opener motor is grinding, squeaking or otherwise acting up, play it safe and call a garage door company. They can properly inspect and replace worn opener parts.
Off-Track Door Fixes
Doors that jump the track are extremely heavy to lift and re-align. Let a professional garage door service make tricky off-track repairs for you.
FAQs
What home repairs should you never do yourself?
You should avoid DIY repairs involving electrical systems, plumbing lines, gas lines, HVAC units, structural elements, masonry, roofing, and garage doors. These require special skills, codes compliance, and equipment to avoid catastrophic mishaps.
When is it OK to do your own home repairs?
Minor repairs like dripping faucets, light fixture replacements, caulking cracks, weatherstripping doors, and touch-up painting are generally safe for DIY. But know your limits and hire pros for more complex repairs.
How can I fix old wiring safely in my home?
You should not attempt any significant electrical repairs on vintage wiring yourself. Hire a licensed electrician to inspect your old wiring and replace components that are overloaded, damaged or not up to current code.
What could go wrong with DIY plumbing repairs?
DIY plumbing mistakes can lead to flooding, mold growth, gas leaks, electrocution, burst pipes, and damage to walls and floors if repairs are done incorrectly. Leave major plumbing repairs to the experts only.
Why is it risky for homeowners to touch HVAC equipment?
HVAC systems contain dangerous electrical components, highly pressurized refrigerants, and risks of fire, explosion, or carbon monoxide leaks if not repaired properly by certified technicians.
Key Takeaways: Leave These 10 Home Repairs to Professionals
- Electrical work including installing wiring and outlets, appliance repairs, and rewiring homes should only be done by licensed electricians who can ensure compliance with local building codes and safety practices.
- All plumbing repairs beyond basic clogged drain cleaning requires professional expertise to avoid flooding disasters and gas leaks when working on sewer lines, gas lines, main water lines, and re-piping aging homes.
- HVAC repairs like diagnosing faulty furnaces, fixing AC compressors, and installing new units are best left to certified technicians to avoid risks including fire, electrocution, and toxic refrigerant release.
- Structural and masonry repairs involve engineering knowledge for foundation work, leveling homes, chimney repairs, patching concrete slabs, and fixing water or pest damage that compromises structural integrity.
- Roof repairs beyond minor shingle patches should be left to professional roofers who can properly re-flash, rebuild, and replace old roofs while safely working at dangerous heights.
- Leave garage door repairs involving springs, cables, tracks, motors and alignment issues to seasoned garage door technicians who have the proper tools and know-how to get the job done safely.
Rather than risk DIY disasters, homeowners are wise to hire certified professional contractors for major electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural, roofing, and garage door repairs. Paying for pro services protects your safety, home value, and warranty coverage.
Conclusion
Certain home repairs look easy on the surface but require extensive skills and knowledge to execute properly. Licensed electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, general contractors, roofers, and garage door specialists spend years honing their trade. Don’t take chances by attempting dangerous DIY repairs beyond your skill level. The cost savings are not worth the risk of electrocution, fires, flood damage, collapsed roofs, or structural failure. Protect your family and your investment by hiring certified pros for any major electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural, roofing, or garage door repairs your home needs. Their expertise can fix problems correctly and prevent costly consequences caused by DIY trial and error. For the extensive repairs covered in this article, do yourself a favor and leave it to the pros every time.