Home Repairs: How to Know Whether to DIY or Call in a Professional

If you’re especially handy, it can be tempting to fix home repairs yourself. You’ll get the job done quickly and won’t have to bother calling a company. You’ll also save yourself a little money.

While it can be tempting to DIY everything, sometimes you need to call in a professional. This article will present some of the most common problems homeowners come across. With our advice, you’ll know whether or not the issue is something you can take on yourself. 

Roofing

Roofs are complex structures that require consistent care. You can help ensure their longevity by performing routine maintenance. This involves sweeping off debris and preventing water from pooling.

When it comes to fixing roofs, this is one of the trickier DIY home repairs. You should be able to take on minor tasks such as replacing a few missing shingles.

With major roofing repairs, don’t be afraid to call in a professional. You’ll want a residential roofing company to properly address leaks and other damages. This will protect your family and prevent costly renovations in the future.

Walls

Want to remove old wallpaper or repaint a room? Tasks such as these are easy for you to take on yourself.


However, if you suspect there is any structural damage, you should have a professional assess it first. They’ll determine what’s causing the issue, address it, and prevent it from happening in the future.

Electrical Projects

You should avoid working on electrical issues if these are something you’re unfamiliar with. Electricity is no joke and can cause severe injuries.

You might be able to replace old outlet covers with the help of YouTube videos. But keep in mind that an online tutorial probably might not properly prepare you to replace a malfunctioning fuse.

Plumbing

Hats off to you if you want to tackle plumbing projects. While usually gross, they can be some of the easier issues to fix.

If you have a minor clog that a plunger isn’t fixing, try this hack:

  • Pour a generous amount of dish soap into the basin (about a cup).
  • Add about a gallon of very hot (not boiling) water.
  • After letting it sit for 15 minutes, you should notice the toilet or sink start to unclog.
  • If needed, flush it out with more hot water.

Dealing with a particularly stubborn clog? Buy a snake from your local hardware store. This tool is a bendy piece of wire that can navigate through pipes. You use it to physically break up the clog and get things working normally again. 

Most homeowners tend to avoid DIY plumbing projects. There is no shame in calling in a professional. It’s especially important to hire a company when it comes to bigger issues. Installing or replacing fixtures, for instance, is best left to the experts.

Windows

Believe it or not, you can fix a broken window yourself.

  • With a heat source, warm up the putty in the frame.
  • Then, remove the broken glass and put in fresh putty to hold a new pane.

When it comes to windows, you can also easily fix air leaks yourself. All you have to do is recaulk the frame.

You should call in a professional if there is major deterioration. You should also leave it to the experts if the window is a couple of stories up.

Bottom Line

We don’t doubt your DIY skills, but as you can see, some projects are just meant for professionals. Calling in help might be more expensive initially, but you’ll get it done right the first time.

By knowing when to put aside your pride, you’ll save time and money in the long run.

ION

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