Everyone likes the idea of living in a perfect house where there are no leaky faucets, electrical malfunctions, and unsightly lawns that look unkempt. But unless you’re living in a utopian neighborhood, you have to take care of your house maintenance. The craze brought about by home improvement shows has led some people into thinking that they can DIY on absolutely anything in their homes.
But before you create any more mess, it’s important to at least have a bit of experience or skills to support your claims because anything can go wrong and add to your sorrows. It’s not a bad idea to handle some home repairs yourself. But when it comes to major projects and expensive appliances, you are better off hiring an experienced contractor. Among other benefits, it is safer for you and it helps to avoid voiding your warranties or risking further problems. Below are some of the most common home repairs that need to be done by a professional.
1. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Repair
If you’ve at some point gone without hot water in the harsh winters or air conditioning when the temperatures are burning hot, then you know how tempting it can be to try and take matters into your own hands. The Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning units are among the most expensive appliances in your home. It’s very important to ensure that these units are in good shape because they are responsible for the comfort of your family. This means routine maintenance, repair, and replacements of parts.
The components of your heating and cooling systems can sometimes fail and this can cause your utility bills to spike. You, therefore, need them to be fixed pronto. It’s imperative that if you notice anything wrong with your boiler, water heater, or A/C condenser to call a professional HVAC repair company as soon as you can. This is especially the case if you lack any formal training or skills to repair them. It could be a blown fuse, dirty coils, a malfunctioned thermostat, or clogged air filters causing the problem. An expert will know how to trace the problem because they’ve been trained and tested in that field.
2. Extensive Plumbing
A house is made up of a network of systems that help to keep it functional. Among these systems is your plumbing. Home plumbing comprises of complex and simple piping channels. When it comes to common plumbing problems like dripping faucets, running toilets, and slow drain, doing it yourself should suffice. However, for extensive plumbing problems such as blocked pipes and drains, leaks behind the walls or above the ceiling, it’s wiser to hire a professional plumber for such repairs. If you’re living in an older home, it’s most likely that the house still uses outdated plumbing. If it’s your wish to update it to modern plumbing, you’ll also need to work with an expert plumber. This is because they have the right tool and extensive experience to handle any repair job.
3. Electrical Repairs
Electrical repairs can range from replacing an overhead light to replacing electrical wiring. Now, there is no telling the damage to be expected, even from a blown fuse. This means that you need to be extra cautious when handling even the most minor of electric repairs. It’s best to steer clear of many electrical issues and leave them to the professionals. Some electric wires carry high voltages and you don’t want to risk electrocution. In addition to this, trying to handle electrical issues by yourself could be catastrophic because you could be doing more harm than good.
4. Gas Appliances
Repairs for gas appliances are similar to electrical repairs. Any wrong move can cost you dearly and you need to be extra cautious when handling gas appliances. If you notice or suspect leaking gas in your house, it’s imperative that you vacate the house and assist anyone who may be with you at the time of the leak to exit. Immediately afterward, contact an expert. Remember, gas leaks can be hazardous to your health and in addition to this, they can potentially cause fires or explosions. This is why any repair work involving gas leaks should be left to the pros.
5. Basement Renovations
The structural integrity of your house is dependent on the foundation. Most DIY enthusiasts like it when they work on challenging projects. Basements are a perfect place for this because, well, let’s face it, it’s tucked away from the rest of the house. This means that you can take your time renovating the basement, away from prying eyes. Whatever the case, you don’t want to undertake any major project such as underpinning because the walls can crack and the house collapses on you. If you must, it’s essential to work with an experienced builder. The cost of repairing a caved house is many times more than that of hiring an experienced contractor.
For some of the above repairs, it’s important to have an emergency fund on standby because sometimes, the costs can seem exaggerated. To avoid unexpected repair costs for your home, it’s important to plan ahead of time, service your appliance/systems regularly, and consider taking up on a home owner’s insurance policy that is all-inclusive. Insurance can help to cushion you when the repair costs get too high.
