Are you a homeowner who loves to get involved with DIY on your house? Whether it is to fix an issue, complete a weekend project, or to add value, you just can’t get enough right? But sometimes DIY can go bad, really bad. And we don’t just mean a patch paint job, or a wonky garden shed. We mean property damage, injury, or worse!
Two of the most dangerous areas of DIY are plumbing and electrical. There are some jobs that you just shouldn’t attempt to do at home. Those jobs you should really leave to the professionals.
So what can you DIY when plumbing and electrical is concerned…
DIY Rules
When it comes to these two danger areas, if your job goes beyond replacing a washer, or changing a light bulb then it is probably a job for the professionals. If you are ever in doubt about what you can do yourself, then it is best to call in your friendly neighbourhood tradie!
Plumbing
Basic tasks like unclogging a sink, installing a washing machine or dishwasher, and fixing or replacing taps are probably the only things that you can do yourself when it comes to plumbing.
Anything to do with sanitary plumbing must ALWAYS be completed by a professional plumber. That includes fixing and replacing pipes, plumbing in fixtures, touching waste and soil pipes, messing with the overflow, fiddling with your hot water cylinder, or attempting to fix a leak.
If you are ever in doubt, call a professional!
Electrical
Just because there is a large selection of electrical goods available at your local hardware store, don’t be fooled into thinking that you can buy them and complete electrical work yourself. They are simply available in the hardware store for electricians to purchase on your behalf.
Working with electricity can be extremely dangerous, so it is always best to err on the side of caution. Limit your tasks to changing light bulbs. That’s it.
It is pointless trying to do any electrical work yourself as it cannot be certified, even if you have somehow managed to tick all the boxes. Just leave it to the professionals.
Dangers of DIY Plumbing and Electrics…
DIY certainly has a place in the home and it really can save you a lot of money. But not when plumbing and electrics are concerned. Trying to save money in these areas can actually end up costing you more in the long run. Here is how…
Lack of Knowledge
The first issue that you will run into is that you don’t really know what the heck you are doing! Which pipe is for waste and which pipe is for drinking water? Without the correct experience, you can’t really know.
A little bit of knowledge can be really dangerous as you might think you know what you are doing, only to cause a flood or a fire. Neither of those things are good for your health or your home! Without the proper training you can damage your wiring, or contaminate your water supply.
Making It Worse
Trying to fix something you don’t fully understand runs the risk of actually making things worse. A small leak or a blown fuse can quickly turn into a disaster without the right tools and knowledge to fix it.
DIY repair attempts can complicate the process of getting the problem fixed. What began as a simple issue could actually become far more serious if you do the wrong thing.
Increasing Costs
Your amateur attempts at repairs can push the repair bill up considerably. Water damage, pipe replacement and incorrect wiring can be costly to fix. But if your tradie gets there in time, they might be able to prevent the need for it with a simple repair.
Give the professionals a call and explain exactly what the problem is. They will be able to advise over the phone what steps you can take to minimise damages until they get there.
So I think what we have learnt from this article is that you should NOT attempt to do your own plumbing and electrical work at home or at the office. Leave it to the professionals to ensure that you get an effective and cost effective repair or replacement.