Most of us are stuck at home more than normal these days. This has given us plenty of time to binge watch our favorite home renovation or DIY shows, and carve out a stacked to-do list of home maintenance projects. 

While the shows might make it look easy, there are simply some home maintenance tasks you just shouldn’t do yourself because they are dangerous or just too time-consuming. Today, we’ll review some common home maintenance tasks everyone should know — and those that are better left to the pros. 

 

Basic home maintenance everyone should know

Whether you own your home or are renting, there are a few simple repairs everyone should know:

  • Turn off the water 
  • Fix a leaky faucet 
  • Unclog a toilet 
  • Change a furnace filter 
  • Stop a running toilet 
  • Unclog a drain 
  • Replace a light switch 
  • Patch a hole in the drywall

Knowing how to do these things will help you act quickly in the event of an emergency, or just come in handy when upgrading a room. 

 

Home maintenance tasks best left to the experts

DIY home repairs can be both satisfying to complete and a great way to save money. However, if done incorrectly, some home maintenance tasks can cost you much more money, or will simply take up a lot of your time. 

Let’s take a look at some of the most dangerous or time-consuming home repairs that should be left to professionals. 

 

Gas appliance repairs

Gas is everywhere in our homes these days — ovens, furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters, dryers, and so on. It’s generally more efficient, saving energy and money for the homeowner. But it can also be very dangerous. 

Even for those homeowners who know how to shut off the gas before trying to make a repair, if the repair is done incorrectly, you run the risk of developing a gas leak. A gas leak could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, a fire, or even an explosion. This one is best left to a qualified expert. 

 

Electrical repairs 

Did you know in Oregon, an electrician goes through 576 hours of classroom training and 8,000+ hours of on-the-job training before they can get their license? There’s a reason why electricians train for so long — electricity is dangerous. 

If you choose to try an electrical wiring project yourself, not only do you run the risk of electrocuting yourself, you also have a chance of doing it wrong. Electrical repairs gone wrong invite scary problems down the road, including electrical fires, electric shock, and power outages. 

In general, you can safely swap out a light fixture (while taking the correct safety measures to do so), but beyond that, it’s best to call a professional.  

 

Plumbing 

An important thing when it comes to plumbing is knowing you should act quickly when you notice any problems. What starts out as a seemingly small leak could quickly become a flood in the basement, or water damage under the sink if left unaddressed. 

Many people already know how to unclog a drain or stop a leaky faucet, but for anything greater than that, you’ll probably want to call a plumber. 

While incorrect plumbing repairs are rarely a danger to yourself or to others, they will cost you a serious amount of money if anything goes wrong. 

Here at All Around Maintenance, our team of experienced handymen can help with small plumbing projects — contact us today to learn more! 

 

Structural changes to the house 

So, you want to open up your floorplan by removing the wall between your kitchen and your living room. That’s great! Ripping out a wall might not seem that hard. And in practice, it usually isn’t — but that doesn’t mean everyone should do it. Do you know for a fact that the wall isn’t supporting something else above or around it? Or that there aren’t electrical wires in it? What about plumbing? 

When it comes to removing a wall or making any structural changes to your home, it’s best to bring in a professional to take a look before you start swinging a sledgehammer. 

 

Roofing repairs

As a homeowner, replacing the roof is one of the biggest investments you will make. That’s why regular inspections and roof maintenance are so important — they can help you get the most out of your current roof until it’s time for a new one by preventing problems before they start.  

DIYing a roof repair might seem simple, but chances are, you haven’t spent much time on roofs. So if you do, you’ll notice a few interesting things: 

  • The slope is probably steeper than what you thought it was 
  • It’s much higher up than it seems 
  • It’s not easy to walk around up there (we’re talking gusts of wind, slippery moss, etc.)

Thousands of people suffer broken bones or other injuries related to roof hazards each year. 

Our team of licensed and insured professionals knows how to work safely and efficiently on roofs and provide common repairs, inspections, and re-roofing services. Contact us today to learn more! 

 

Gutter cleaning and repair 

Remembering to clean the gutters can be tough — they’re one of those things that are usually out of sight, out of mind. Unfortunately, clogged or damaged gutters can wreak all sorts of havoc on your home if ignored, including water damage, rot, and roof leaks. 

As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to inspect your gutters at least twice per year, usually in the spring and the fall. Any debris needs to be cleared out and dirt or other build up should be washed free from the gutters on a regular basis to avoid problems. 

But ladders aren’t for everyone. In fact, nearly 500,000 people are treated for ladder-related injuries each year. If you don’t feel confident on a ladder or know how to safely use a ladder, consider leaving this one to the experts. 

At All Around Maintenance, we are pleased to gutter inspection, repairs, and cleaning. Find out more here. 

 

All Around Maintenance can help 

We’re here to help with any project, big or small! Our team of licensed professionals is dedicated to providing the best service possible to our Portland and Vancouver area clients and offers a variety of different service options and maintenance plans. 

Give us a call at (503) 209-2023 or contact us online today.