From time to time, your home will need electrical repairs. While some projects like retiling the bathroom may seem harmless, you should always trust a professional to handle any electrical work.
Electrical DIY projects can lead to dangerous accidents and house fires that cost over $1.3 billion annually. In addition, it can also void your homeowners insurance and land you in legal trouble.
1. You Don’t Know What You’re Doing
When it comes to home repairs, a lot of homeowners are tempted to take matters into their own hands and do the work themselves. While this can be a great way to save money, there are some types of work that should always be left to the professionals. Electrical repairs are a good example. DIY electrical projects can be dangerous, and even deadly if not done correctly.
One of the main reasons why DIY electrical work is so dangerous is that it can be hard for untrained people to know what they’re doing. This is especially true for wiring projects. Electrical wiring is a complex process that should only be performed by licensed electricians. It’s not uncommon for people who attempt DIY electrical projects to make mistakes that can be costly and even deadly.
For instance, some common DIY electrical mistakes include cutting wires too short or swapping their connectors. These mistakes can cause faulty or weak connections that can lead to fires. Another common mistake is creating electrical connections outside of an electrical box. This is a big no-no, as electrical boxes are designed to keep these connections safe from damage.
Many of these DIY mistakes can also lead to illegal work, which can result in fines and even jail time if someone is injured or killed. Electrical errors can also void warranties on appliances or electronics, which can add up over time. Hiring a professional electrician may cost more than doing the work yourself, but it will be worth it in the long run when you avoid the risk of serious injury or death.
Electrical fires are one of the leading causes of house fires in the US, and they often start because of damaged or old wires. People who attempt DIY electrical work are more likely to leave wires exposed or to connect devices to circuits that they’re not rated for. These issues can lead to overheating, sparks, and fires.
Taking on electrical projects yourself can be very dangerous, even for experienced DIYers. If you’re thinking about doing some DIY electrical work, stop and give the experts at NuBlue a call instead. We’ll be happy to provide any needed help and advice!
2. You’re Putting Your Family at Risk
In the age of DIY, it can be tempting to take on any home project yourself. After all, there are a lot of shows and blogs that make it look like anybody can transform their home with a little bit of elbow grease and the right tools. But while painting rooms and assembling furniture can be fun projects for homeowners to tackle, there are some tasks that should always be left to the professionals. Electrical work is one of them.
Attempting DIY electrical projects can be very dangerous, and even just one mistake could have severe consequences. For example, if you cut a wire too short while doing electrical work, it can result in faulty connections that will overheat and cause a fire hazard. And if you’re not careful, you could electrocute yourself or anyone else who is in the area.
It’s also important to remember that if you do end up making a mistake during DIY electrical work, it may not be covered by your insurance policy. Most insurance policies have exclusions for DIY work, so if you do end up damaging your home’s wiring or installing appliances incorrectly, you’ll have to pay for the repairs out of pocket. Contact the contact the DGEC team instead.
Furthermore, if you have a faulty electrical system or appliances in your home, it can affect the value of your property. Buyers will be hesitant to buy a home that has faulty or dangerous wiring or has appliances with poor safety ratings. Ultimately, cutting corners with DIY electrical projects will catch up to you when it comes time to sell your home.
Electricians are highly trained to handle any electrical problems that come up. So instead of trying to save money on DIY electrical repairs, call an electrician and rest assured that the job will be done correctly. It will be more expensive upfront, but it’s worth the peace of mind in knowing that your family is safe. Plus, if you ever decide to sell your home, it will be easier to get top dollar if the electrical work is up to code.
3. You’re Putting Your Home at Risk
While home DIY projects like painting a room or assembling furniture can be rewarding, electrical tasks should be left to the professionals. This is because even a single mistake while handling electrical work can lead to severe consequences for you and your family.
For starters, there’s the risk of electrocution. If you so much as touch a wire the wrong way, you could be instantly killed. Additionally, if you’re not properly trained or licensed, it may be illegal to undertake certain electrical tasks. This can not only put you in physical danger, but it may also void your insurance and lead to legal issues down the road.
Furthermore, it’s important to remember that electrical mishandling is the leading cause of house fires in the United States. Upgrading your main panel or installing electrical wiring are just two examples of complex and dangerous projects that should be left to the pros.
Another risk of DIY electrical projects is that you could be putting your home at risk when it comes time to sell. Many potential buyers will walk away from a property with shoddy electrical repairs. Additionally, if you do end up selling your home, you could face legal issues with the new owners when problems are discovered.
The bottom line is that it’s simply not worth the risk to attempt DIY electrical projects. The few dollars you might save by tackling these projects yourself are not worth the potential risks. It’s best to leave the electric work to a professional electrician who has years of experience, knowledge, and training to ensure that your home is safe and secure.
Whether you need a minor repair or want to add outdoor lighting to your California home, SoCal Electrical & Lighting is the local expert. We’re committed to providing five-star experiences for our customers and will provide the peace of mind you need when it comes to your home’s electricity. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help!
4. You’re Putting Your Home at Risk
While painting a room or assembling furniture may be fun DIY projects, certain home electrical repair jobs should be left to professional electricians. Not only do they know how to handle high-voltage electricity, but they can also save you a lot of money in the long run by identifying potential problems before they get out of hand.
Taking on any electrical project without proper training can put your family at risk, even if the outcome seems successful at first. One wrong move could cause an electric shock, which can be fatal. It’s also possible that faulty wiring will cause a fire at some point in the future.
Upgrading your home’s main panel or power points is a complex job that should only be done by a licensed electrician. A mistake during this type of project can lead to an electrical fire or a fire in your home’s drywall.
A major part of an electrician’s job is inspecting the entire electrical system. They look for worn or frayed cords, crowded outlets that look like rats’ nests, and other signs of wear and tear. They also check to make sure that no stray wires are exposed, which can be a dangerous fire hazard.
It’s also important to not overload your electrical outlets. Overloaded outlets are a leading cause of residential fires. Be sure to only plug one heat-producing appliance into an outlet at a time and use extension cords sparingly. If you find that you’re frequently using extension cords, have a licensed electrician install more outlets in your home.
Another common problem is overloaded circuits. If you have a circuit that’s rated for 20 amps and you consistently use more than that, have a licensed electrician add additional outlets to the circuit.
Besides being dangerous, overloaded outlets can also increase your energy bill by forcing your appliances to work harder than they should. A good rule of thumb is to only use 80 percent of the available amperage on any circuit.
Attempting to fix electrical issues yourself is not only a serious safety hazard, but it can also be illegal. Many states have laws against homeowners doing their own electrical repairs or installations. If you do an electrical project without a license, you could be fined or have your homeowner’s insurance revoked.
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