It doesn’t matter whether your home is one or fifty years old: there will always be problems that need addressing from time to time.
Taking care of these issues promptly is essential for preventing problems that are more serious, costlier, and which impact the overall quality of your property.
Whether you or a professional takes care of the issues, however, isn’t always clear. There are jobs that you can do yourself and jobs that absolutely require the capable hands of an expert. We’ll run through some common tasks that you can, and cannot, do yourself below.
Do: Paint A Wall
Giving your walls a fresh lick of paint can have a transformative impact on the overall look and feel of the space. In fact, it can have such a big impact that most people assume that they need to hire someone to do the job for them.
But that’s not the case. Anyone can paint a wall provided they’re aware of the correct way to do it, and that’s something you can learn in a matter of minutes by following a YouTube tutorial.
Depending on the size of the wall you’re painting, it could be done in a few hours — and there’s nothing quite like relaxing in a space that you have made beautiful!
Don’t: Get On Your Roof
There are several reasons why you should always avoid any roof-related task. One, it’s simply high off the ground, which makes it dangerous. Two, the roof is an important part of your property, and any repairs have to be carried out to the highest of standards. So rather than getting out the ladder, get in contact with a roofing company; they’ll ensure that your roof is repaired, while you get to unwind on the couch. It’s a much better option than putting yourself in harm’s way or causing more damage to your roof.
Do: Fill Cracks Yourself
First of all, we should note that some wall cracks can be indicative of a much larger issue, such as structural problems. If that’s your problem, then you’ll need to call in the experts, since that’s not a job that you can do yourself.
However, most cracks aren’t due to structural issues. They can happen when a house settles, or when there’s a change in humidity. In those instances, they’re mostly just cosmetic. You can attempt to restore your home to its former glory by using a crack filler. If you’re not happy with how it looks, then you can always call a professional at another time, but it’s one of those “easy enough” jobs that means it’s worthwhile giving it a go yourself.
Don’t: Mess With Your Electrical System
Your home’s electrical system is complex. It is also dangerous. If you have an issue with your electrical system that is any greater than changing a lightbulb, then you’ll need to get in touch with an electrician.
Trying to handle it yourself can, at best, result in your entire electrical system running into difficulties, which will be much more complex (and expensive) to resolve. At worst, you could cause serious injury to yourself.
Do: Unblock a Sink
Even the best drains can become clogged from time to time. While, in some cases, unclogging them will require specialist tools that only a plumber has, in most cases you can try to fix them yourself. Provided you use one of the straightforward methods, then it’s unlikely that you’ll cause any further damage. If the standard home DIY approach for unblocking a sink doesn’t work, then reach out to a plumber.
Don’t: Tackle More Complex Plumbing Jobs
If you’ve had some success unclogging a sink, then you might be wondering if it’s time to step up and take on more complex plumbing jobs. For that, we have a clear answer: no, it’s not time. Your home’s plumbing isn’t as dangerous as its electrical system, but it can be just as complex. One wrong move can see your home overflowing with water, which can be a nightmare to resolve. If you do try to tackle it yourself, then make sure you know where your water mains are located so you can switch them off.
Do: Try Cosmetic Improvements
Finally, if the improvement you’re trying to make to your home is only cosmetic (say, hanging wallpaper), then it’s worthwhile giving it a try yourself. The worst that can happen is that it doesn’t look as good as you planned, and you need to hire someone to fix it for you.
… and with these Home Maintenance Tasks tips, you can prepare ahead of time for the things you are trying to take on or discover which projects to steer clear from. If you have tips and ideas to add, feel free to mention it in the comments! Wishing you all the best on your home makeover (maintenance) project.
What do you think?