DIY Do or DIY Don't: When to Tackle Home Repairs

Posted on: 15 July 2015

Do-it-yourself repairs can save a lot of money and also give you an incredible feeling of accomplishment. However, while some home improvement projects are easily accomplished by the average homeowner, others are better left to the pros. Tackling a project that is beyond your expertise level can lead to costly repairs later or even injury. Here are some common DIY projects that you can easily tackle and others that you should not even attempt.

Clothes Dryer Repairs

Clothes dryers are work horses of the modern home, and eventually they begin to lose their ability to get the job done. One of the most common failures is the inability to thoroughly dry clothes in a reasonable period of time. However, this is often due to a simple thermostat failure, which home owners can easily fix themselves with a screwdriver. Your local home improvement store can help you find the right replacement part for the clothes dryer repair. On the other hand, some dryer problems are better left to those who know what they are doing. If your dryer is overheating or if it is powered by gas, call in the pros to avoid harm to yourself or your home.

Leaky Faucets

Leaky faucets are more than an annoyance; they waste water and money as well. Luckily, replacing a faucet is a simple project that most anyone can do. After shutting off the water supply, most of the work simply involves disconnecting the pipes using a wrench and then reconnecting them to the new faucet. However, if you don't know what a water supply valve looks like or the pipes to the faucet aren't easily visible, don't attempt this job on your own. You may end up flooding your home when a plumber can do the job in a short period of time and with no damage.

Dishwashers That Don't Drain

Clogged dishwashers are an inconvenience and create a disgusting pool of filthy water. Most of the time, the problem is a clogged drain line, which you can fix by simply detaching the hose and removing any food particles, bones, or other obstructions. If that doesn't fix the problem, it's time to call the plumber. Dishwashers can usually be repaired rather than replaced, but anytime you are dealing with electricity and water, it's better to let a plumber perform the repair than to risk injury.

While not all home repair projects can be completed without help, many can. The key is to know your limitations and not be afraid to call a professional if you feel like you have gotten in over your head.

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