Home Maintenance: Things You Can DIY and Things You Shouldn’t

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Home Maintenance: Things You Can DIY and Things You Shouldn’t

This article will talk about home maintenance tips – specifically things you can do yourself, and things you should leave to the professionals. Oftentimes, people try to take on too much and end up doing more harm than good. It’s important to know your limits, and when it’s time to call in the experts! Read this list of 12 home repairs before you start doing the task on your own.

1. Roof repairs

Unless you have experience with roofing, it’s best to call a professional roofing company. There are many things that can go wrong, and it’s not worth risking your safety (or the safety of your home) just to save a little money. You can do more damage if you don’t know what you are doing, resulting in a larger bill soon after.

2. Leaky faucets

If your faucet is leaking, you can almost always fix it by yourself. This is a simple task that most people can do in just a few minutes. Most of the time, you will only have to replace the seals on the faucet, which are very easy to find and replace. There are also many tutorials only that can teach you how to do it for different faucet types.

3. Clogged drains

If your drain is clogged, you can try to clear it yourself with a plunger. If this doesn’t work, you can try using a snake to clear the blockage. If neither of these methods works, it’s time to call a professional. Trying to clear a clogged drain yourself using chemicals can often do more harm than good, and can end up costing you even more money in the long run.

4. Changing a lightbulb

This is another easy task that most people can do without any trouble. In fact, many lightbulbs now come with easy-to-use replacement instructions. If you’re not sure how to replace the lightbulb, there are plenty of online tutorials that can walk you through the process.

5. Plumbing problems

Plumbing problems can be tricky, and it’s best to leave them to the professionals. This will involve tasks such as replacing and redirecting pipes which can be difficult for amateurs. Trying to fix plumbing problems yourself can often lead to bigger and more expensive problems.

6. Painting walls

Painting walls is a task that most people can do without any trouble. In fact, it can be a fun DIY project for the entire family! There are many tutorials online that can show you how to paint walls in any color or style you want. Just make sure to take your time and be careful not to get paint on anything else in the room.

7. Electrical problems

Electrical problems can be very dangerous, and should only be handled by a professional. Some simple tasks such as changing a light switch can be done by yourself but other major fixes like installing a new outlet can be dangerous. Trying to do these things yourself can often lead to serious injuries. Leave it to a licensed electrician to do the work.

8. Fixing a toilet

If your toilet is clogged or leaks, you can try to fix it yourself. This usually involves replacing the flapper valve or the entire toilet tank. But most of the time, you only need to use your plunger. But if you’re not comfortable doing this, you can call a plumber to do the job for you.

9. Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping is an easy repair that you can do on your own. Many people choose to do this in the winter, in order to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. You can buy weatherstripping at most hardware stores, and it’s a very easy task to do.

10. Duct cleaning

Duct cleaning is a job that should only be done by a professional. This is because it involves accessing the inner workings of your heating and cooling system. Trying to do this yourself can often lead to further damage and more expensive repairs.

11. Changing a furnace filter

This is another easy task that most people can do without any trouble. All you need is a screwdriver and a new furnace filter. You can change your furnace filter in just a few minutes.

12. Rebuilding a wall
contractor smoothing wall

Rebuilding a wall is a job that should only be done by a professional. This is because it involves tasks such as drywall repair, taping, and mudding. Most of the time, DIYers will have to redo their work over and over again to get their desired outcome. So just leave it to the experts. It will save you time and money.

DIY projects can be a lot of fun and give you the satisfaction of knowing that you did it yourself. But sometimes, DIY jobs are best left to professionals who have experience with these tasks – especially when they involve electrical wiring or plumbing. If your home needs some work done but you don’t know where to start, these tips should put you on the right track.

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