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Although you may take it for granted, your home’s electrical system will wear out over time. In addition to repairs, it may also need upgrades and other types of routine maintenance to keep it working in peak condition. While you may feel as if you’re up to the task of making needed upgrades or repairs, it’s generally best to leave the work to a professional.
Minor Mistakes Can Lead to Serious Injuries
Prior to working on a wire, outlet or other electrical component, you’ll need to make sure the power is turned off. If you forget to do that, you risk serious injury and property damage. Even if you do remember to turn the power off, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t electricity flowing through the area where you’re working.
As an amateur electrician, you may not even be aware that this is possible. Assuming that you are aware of this possibility, there is a good chance that you don’t have the tools needed to ensure that a wire is truly dead.
Fortunately, a professional will have the experience and the tools necessary to ensure that the power is off before starting work. A professional will also have access to gloves, goggles and other protective equipment that minimize the risk of injury from a hot outlet plate, sparks or other potential hazards.
An Electrician Can Work Well in Tight Spaces
There are a number of ways to hurt yourself beyond getting an electrical shock. If you are working in tight conditions, you might pull a back or neck muscle or get sore from sitting in an awkward position for several minutes at a time.
You may also be at risk of bumping your head against a low ceiling or banging a shin or elbow against a hard surface. You might also accidentally step on something or struggle to get up and down a ladder without anyone to hold it for you.
Depending on the scope of the project, you could have an asthma attack from working yourself too hard. Allergies or other health issues may also be a concern if you’re working in an attic or other areas covered in dust, pollen or other debris. An electrician will be able to account for the environment to ensure that work is done safely and in a timely manner.
You Don’t Want to Cause Damage to Electrical Equipment
When trying to repair your home’s electrical system, you may accidentally cause damage to a panel box or to fixtures throughout your house. This may occur because you used the wrong wire, failed to use an adequate ground or dropped a tool and closed a circuit. This could lead to a power surge or an explosion that can lead to permanent damage and thousands of dollars in repair bills. Ultimately, you’ll pay significantly more than you would if you had just called an electrician to fix your issue.
You Might Cause Harm to Others in the House
If anyone else is in the vicinity of an electrical repair, you might put their health and safety in jeopardy as well. For instance, they may be exposed to a live wire that has been removed from behind the wall or outlet. Anyone who makes contact with that wire could be shocked or otherwise harmed. Your pets could also be in danger of getting hurt if they interact with a live wire or accidentally close a circuit somehow.
Do You Know What the Problem Is?
Another problem related to doing your own electrical work is that you might not even know what the problem is. For instance, if a light keeps flickering, it could mean that there is a frayed or loose wire that needs to be replaced.
Of course, it could also mean that your electrical panel doesn’t have enough amps to keep the lights on while the dishwasher and heat pump are in use. Lights could also flicker because the outlet is old or worn. Although you may be able to safely troubleshoot the issue on your own, it’ll take a significant amount of time and money to do so.
Instead of wasting a weekend getting frustrated because you can’t figure out what’s going on, you could just call a professional. Typically, an electrician will know how to get the job done in as little time as possible thanks to their training and experience. This ensures that the overall interruption to your life is kept to a minimum in addition to ensuring that your home’s electrical system is up to code and can safely handle your electrical needs now and in the future.
You’ll Need an Inspection Anyway
Ideally, you’ll have an inspection performed after doing any type of DIY electrical work. Therefore, if you already need to call a professional, it may be in your best interest to just have that person do the work, too. Assuming that you hire a licensed and bonded service provider, it shouldn’t be an issue having the job done in a timely and proper manner the first time.
Furthermore, if you made any mistakes throughout your DIY project, you’ll need to fix them, and typically, you’ll need to pay to have someone fix them. Ultimately, it’s simpler and easier to just call an electrician to do the work instead of trying to do it yourself.
You can verify an electrician’s credentials by asking for more information such as proof of certification. You can also ask for references or testimonials from other customers who the electrician has worked for in the past. This can help ensure that you make a hiring decision with confidence and that you’re getting the most for your money.
You Might Void a Warranty
If you make a mistake while attempting a DIY project, you might void a portion or the entirety of your home warranty. You might also void any manufacturer warranty that came with an electrical panel or other items when they were first installed. For instance, working on a water heater might void the warranty associated with it, and in some cases, you might void the warranty even if you don’t make any mistakes.
Your Insurance Claim Might Be Denied
Let’s say that you caused an electrical fire while working on a frayed wire and the fire caused damage to multiple rooms in the home. Typically, you would file an insurance claim to have some or all of the damage paid for. However, if damage is caused by homeowner negligence, it’s likely that it would be denied. Therefore, you could be paying thousands of dollars or more to fix your house without any financial assistance.
If you are in need of electrical repair services, don’t hesitate to contact the team at HR Phoenix in Dallas, TX today. We can also help with any plumbing issues that your home might have. This can help ensure that electrical components won’t interfere with pipes, drains or anything else you need to keep your home running properly at all times. Stay safe and contact us today for all of your residential electrical service needs!
