While we often promote the idea of an adventurous homeowner taking on minor home repairs, we also stress the importance of calling a certified electrician any time high amounts of danger, expensive components, or complexities are involved. Beyond the obvious dangers that these projects can bring, another insidious complication lurks – the legality of the home improvement. While you may think that you are free to do what you want in your home, the reality is that codes and safety regulations often make certain DIY home upgrades illegal.
The Legality of DIY Home Upgrades
Your local government is not interested in the color of your curtains or the type of sofa you use, so why would they be concerned about home improvement projects that you take on in your own house? Simply put, electrical repairs or DIY upgrades have a much higher risk involved to you and your neighbors. Faulty wiring or misaligned gas pipes can quickly become dangerous for everyone nearby. Insurance companies can also dispute claims that stem from faulty home systems that a licensed and insured provider did not install. Most importantly, trying to sell your home while not up to code is nearly impossible, and you will have to find a qualified professional to do the job in the end.
That being said, even if you do not fear the wrath of your local government, there are good reasons not to take on some projects yourself.
Hot Water Tank Replacement: Hot water tanks can reach absurdly high levels of pressure if not installed correctly, which can lead to a massive and deadly explosion. Hot water tank installation also involves fatal levels of electricity, harmful gases, and a constant risk of pressure buildup, causing a loose part to fly across the room at high speeds. A lingering feeling that your hot water tank can explode at any minute is also not conducive to a stress-free life.
Stove Replacement: Considering you can go to any big-box store and see stoves on display, is stove installation as a homeowner allowed? In general, anything that involves a mix of gas lines and electrical wires is best done by professionals. Even if you install a stove yourself, you are required to have the connections double-checked by a certified professional to ensure no gas leaks or wiring issues threaten the safety of the home.
Attic and Wall Installation Repair: It might be time to upgrade the insulation in your attic or walls, but you should be careful if your house is on the old side. Asbestos used to be extremely common until its ban in 1989. Asbestos is toxic to humans, causing a wide range of health problems if inhaled. Furthermore, there are stringent regulations concerning the transport and disposal of asbestos that you, as a homeowner, are more than likely unable to follow. Asbestos abatement experts should be called to keep everyone healthy and to have your home wholly ridden of the substance.
Light Fixture Installation – Swapping out light fixtures to change the mood and feeling of a room is a simple way to breathe new life into an area. However, any installation that involves new wiring should be done by a professional to minimize fire risks, as faulty wires are by far the most common reason for house fires behind cooking accidents.
Saving a bit of money is never worth the risk when electrical systems are involved. The master electricians at Promise Electric are dedicated to helping you with your residential electrical needs and ensuring your projects are done safely and legally. Call today to learn more.
