Why DIY electrical repairs aren’t a good idea – and what you should do instead
For households, electricity is a necessity; however, anything can get thrown out of whack quite easily. Electrical issues aren’t uncommon in a home, and when they arise, you may be tempted to handle them on your own- especially if you’re low on money or believe the issue is a minor one. However, taking a DIY approach when it comes to electrical repairs can be a really bad idea! Why is that so? Well, it’s simple: you can put yourself and your property at a very high risk. But there are plenty of other reasons why you shouldn’t try to fix an electrical issue at home, and we will explore them in detail below, so keep reading!
Huge risk to yourself and others
Handling electrical issues on your own is a very risky task that can put your own health and the health of your loved ones at risk. Electrocution is a significant danger, as you could complete a circuit with you in the centre only by touching incorrectly, which could result in severe burns. Electricity is very hot, so if your skin comes in contact with it, that could be truly harmful to your health in the long run. At worst, electrocution could be fatal, particularly when working with high voltages. While you can turn off the breaker panel’s power to avoid electrocution, DIYers often overlook this step or don’t turn off the correct breaker.
Electrical fires dangers
House fires are frequent and often associated with DIY electric repairs, which are done incorrectly. When a home has faulty wiring, or there are any other electrical problems, this can cause the electrical circuits to overheat, increasing the risk of a house fire. Suppose this occurs within a hidden section of your home; you may only acknowledge the issue when it’s already too late to do something about it. These incidents can be prevented by contacting an electrician instead of trying to tackle the issue yourself. Even if you believe you know the electrical grid of your home well, there’s always a risk involved, and it’s always a wiser option to hire a company like Wave Electrical Solutions to ensure the job is done properly and your home is safe from electrical fires.
Incorrect product use
Do you know what type of wire is used in your home? Are you certain that a specific light fixture or switch will suit the particular electric issue you are facing? Unfortunately, many DIYers make the mistake of selecting products that aren’t really effective when seeking to repair an electric issue. Of course, this isn’t the case when hiring an electrician, as they have proper knowledge of what kind of products work and what products don’t, which will ultimately help you avoid unnecessary spending on inefficient products – and at the same time, it will save you the frustration that comes with making the wrong choice!
Incorrect handling
Electrical issues are quite complex, and it’s essential to know how to tackle them properly when working in your home – and that can be very difficult unless you’ve been trained as an electrician. You could easily wind up making errors that will be costly when attempting to fix the issue. Now, you may be thinking that if you’ve tackled many other DIY projects at home, you will also succeed in repairing electrical problems; however, this way of thinking could be risky and cause more issues instead of helping you find a solution. It’s always best to leave the job in the hands of professionals instead of dealing with the consequences of mishandling the repairs!
Unnecessary repairs costs
Many homeowners consider that a DIY electrical repair will save them money, and that’s mainly the reason why they decide to tackle the issue on their own. But that’s not necessarily the case – not if you perform the repair incorrectly. It’s always possible to do more damage than good, and in that case, you will have no choice but to hire a professional to help fix the error. Consequently, you will pay more money than you had if you decided right from the beginning to contact a company that provides electrical services.
Legality problems
Before you start working on an electrical repair, you need a permit. In fact, some states don’t allow you to perform electrical work without having a proper licence first, and there are many repercussions you will face if you handle electrical repairs without having a licence. Permits and licences show that you are trained to repair an electrical problem and can do so properly without putting someone else or yourself at risk. So, if you try repairing an electrical problem on your own without having a proper licence, and someone is injured in the process, you could face legal issues for the damages that were caused. Even if the electrical issue seems small, a permit is still required to fix the problem.
Failed electrical inspections
All homes require regular electrical inspections, as this helps ensure residents’ safety – not being able to pass an electrical inspection puts you at risk of electrical fires and other harmful issues. Besides, failed inspections come with a hefty fine; thus, your attempt to fix your home by yourself won’t mean anything. It will only cause you legal troubles and a lot of stress! Even if you do the job properly, it’s still possible to be held accountable for not following electrical safety protocol.
The bottom line
Regardless of how small your electrical problems may seem, hiring professionals to do the work for you is always a better idea. This is because electrical repairs can be very complex and pose certain risks that only an electrician knows how to mitigate to ensure safety. Besides, seeking professional help will also keep you out of trouble with the law. So, no matter what problems you experience with home electricity, contact a professional to get help right away and avoid all the consequences of DIY repairs!
