Home renovations can be dangerous, as there is always the possibility of serious injury if you are not careful.
In some cases, it can be difficult to find even for the experts themselves.
Clint DeBoer, editor-in-chief of Pro Tool Reviews, weighed in on the more dangerous DIY jobs.
“As the weather warms, more people across the country will start doing the DIY projects they put off during the winter,” he said.
“Major renovations are usually more expensive than, say, redecorating a room with new furniture, and many people will consider doing these tasks themselves to save money.
“However, many of these large projects have a strong correlation to DIY accidents and require more information than just watching a few YouTube videos can provide.
“Frankly, there are some tasks that should not be attempted without a professional, regardless of cost.”
Something you can not do
DeBoer started his list of DIY don'ts with the roof.
He said if you are doing a “major roof replacement” you should contact a professional roofing contractor.
“The risk of injury when working at height on a roof increases depending on the scope of work and roof slope,” he says.
“If you have more than a 3/12 pitch (3 inches of pitch for every 12 inches), you should seriously consider calling a professional, as the risk of injury is much higher.
“But when you’re dealing with a leak or a few broken shingles, you might want to take a risk.
“However, if your roof needs major repairs or replacement, consider contacting a contractor to evaluate your home.
“Roofs can be more complex than they seem, and anyone working on a roof must consider key factors such as permits, waterproofing, and nail patterns.
“It goes without saying that installing or replacing metal or tile roofs requires more know-how.”
barber shop
He also recommended against cutting trees alone.
“The general rule for advanced electrical projects is to never attempt them unless you have experience in the field.”
clint deboer
“While cutting down a drooping branch is usually a very manageable task, cutting down an entire tree is not,” he said.
“Height can be deceptive and if you cut down a tree without knowing exactly how it will fall, you risk damaging surrounding homes, structures and other property.
“Also, if the tree is not cut down properly, you can experience a ‘barber chair’ incident where the tree splits near the base and flies towards the saw operator.
“This is extremely dangerous and experts understand how to mitigate this.”
electrification
DeBoer pointed out that there are situations where hiring an electrician is better than DIY.
“The general rule for advanced electrical projects is to never attempt one unless you have experience in the field,” he said.
“If you need to replace a ceiling fan, electrical outlet, or switch, you can use tools like a non-contact voltage detector to make sure the breaker is properly disabled before working on the circuit.
“Large-scale projects, such as installing a high-current EV charger or working on a home’s electrical mains, are well beyond the skillset of most DIYers.
“It can also cause more problems than it solves.
“Working with electricity can lead to serious injury, property damage, and even death if handled improperly, so make sure you know what you don’t know and hire an electrician whenever possible.” You need to ask for help.”
Asbestos incident scenario
The power tool professional also addressed concerns about asbestos in the home, saying asbestos is not yet a concern of the past.
“Even though the United States banned asbestos products in the 1980s, some older homes may still contain asbestos as a type of insulation or in certain ceiling and flooring materials,” he said. said.
“If you find asbestos in your home, don't panic; you may be able to safely cover it with a sealer to deactivate the material.
“Then it can often be covered with another material, such as tile or drywall.
“If you need to remove asbestos for any reason, never try to remove it yourself. Inhaling asbestos fibers has been shown to cause certain cancers.”
“To actually remove it, you'll need to hire a professional to safely remove it from your home.”
major key
DeBoer said projects like demolition may require specialists.
“As part of a DIY project, you may need or want to knock down walls in your home or reroute water or drain pipes for plumbing,” he said. .
“A common misconception about home improvement is that it’s as simple as grabbing a sledgehammer and taking your anger out on a wall. It’s fun, but it’s so much more than that.
“In practice, demolishing walls can be complex and dangerous. For example, removing a load-bearing wall requires significant structural reinforcement to replace the function of that wall.
“You don’t want to compromise the structural integrity of the entire house just to open up the kitchen or bathroom.
“You should also be aware that there may be electrical wiring or plumbing hidden within the walls and, if present, special care must be taken to access them.
“Eventually, the walls will need to be repositioned or removed before they are completely removed.
“In addition to the structural knowledge required to carry this out safely, understanding the regulations governing the relocation and movement of drainage pipes and water supply equipment is also essential when involving experts in these large-scale projects. This will lead to recommendations.”