Undertaking DIY projects ourselves is a great way to keep our budget down, but as much as we have the enthusiasm to fix up our home on a budget by painting the walls or laying flooring, we've got to be more aware of the common renovations that we should never ever touch. Here are some of the most dangerous renovations that you should never attempt.
Roofing Repairs
New homeowners are more likely to inherit roofs with broken shingles or other broken materials. A roofing company is far more effective at doing this for the very simple reason that preparing a roof is dangerous as most people don't have the equipment to do it safely and securely. Falls are the most common cause of death for construction workers, so when we are attempting to fix a roof we've got to make sure that we are secure when we are working at height. The reality is that most of us don't have the means necessary to stay secure on a roof. It's one of those problems where it's far better to be safe than sorry.
Asbestos Removal
In the United States, many homes built prior to 1980 contain asbestos. It can be in the walls, the roofing, the loft, and so many other aspects of the home. While asbestos is harmless when it is left alone, when it's disrupted is when the airborne fibers enter the air, which can cause respiratory issues over time. Leaving asbestos removal to experts is critical because they will have the equipment and the breathing apparatus to make sure the affected areas are cleared safely. Having your home inspected for asbestos-containing materials is essential when you move into a property and as it can cause devastating lung conditions like mesothelioma, with prolonged exposure it is definitely one of those areas of home renovation that you've got to be so careful with.
Removing Lead Paint
If you are in a home that was built prior to 1978, it's very likely that lead paint is present and should be removed by a contractor that is lead-safe certified. If you are unsure if your home contains lead paint you can very carefully remove paint samples and send them to a lab for analysis, but this is where your work ends. Lead paint can be incredibly harmful and can cause lead poisoning, which can build up over months or years inside the body.
Wall Removal and Demolition
As fun as it sounds to start taking a sledgehammer to a wall, it's important to remember that load-bearing walls can compromise the foundation. Additionally, if you are tempted to knock down a wall, it could be housing electrical wiring or plumbing pipes, which is a double whammy of danger. It's important to identify if your wall is a load-bearing wall and hire a contractor to do it safely if so.
Certain DIY Tasks
There are many aspects of DIY jobs that can be incredibly dangerous:
DIY landscaping. If you are looking to save money by doing your own landscaping, one of the biggest issues can be when you don't plan for adequate drainage away from the home’s foundation. If you don't account for this, water could seep into your basement and can cause a number of other problems, such as mold, and even rodent or insect infestation.
Painting the outside of the property. Similarly to repairing a roof, if you don't have the adequate safety equipment, this is a big no-no. Additionally, when you are painting the outside of a property, choosing the wrong shade might mean you end up having to do more work further down the line because lighter colors do not hide exterior imperfections.
DIY tiling. Laying floor tiles may seem like an easy enough project, but if you don't know how to install tiles properly, this can result in you having to do it again because of aesthetic issues. For example, if you do not lay tiles on the wall with a spirit level, the jaunty angle could be incredibly frustrating to deal with over the years.
There are so many aspects of renovation that are not just foolish to take on yourself but can be downright dangerous. We all make mistakes when it comes to DIY, and we may think we can model through, but it's about making sure that if you actually want to do certain renovations around the home you understand exactly how to do it. There's an abundance of amazing DIY resources online. Before you start tackling anything, whether it's painting or laying down flooring, make sure you know how to do it but also make sure you know the things you should never attempt for safety reasons.
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