ArticlesHome Repairs You Can DIY and Repairs Only a Pro Should Try

Home Repairs You Can DIY and Repairs Only a Pro Should Try

Your home is a living, breathing animal. That is, it needs constant attention and maintenance to live a healthy life. But owning a home is also an expensive proposition. Even if you’re living in a house that’s off-grid, you still might have a monthly mortgage payment. You also need to pay for some forms of power and heat during the cold months, even if you’re creating your own sustainable and clean electricity. Then there are those pesky repairs that seem never-ending. 

The good news is that some of these repairs or renovations can be done on your own. In other words, while you can DIY (do it yourself) a leaky faucet, you should probably hire a pro to install a piece of equipment like an overhead, made-in-the-USA garage storage ceiling rack. 

According to a new report, paying for professionals to take care of your home’s repairs and maintenance can take a huge bite out of your monthly budget. While many homeowners and homesteaders take great pride in doing the work on their own, not everyone possesses the proper skills necessary to make complicated and/or heavy repairs, despite the proliferation of online instruction sources like those offered on YouTube.   

Here’s the rub: attempting to DIY a project without knowing how to do it right the first time can end up costing you extra hours and cash when you finally decide to hire a reputable contractor. Plus, even if you have some knowledge about how to repair or renovate something in your home, you might not have the correct tools, materials, and even legal building permits. 

Here are some home repairs you can DIY and some repairs only a pro should try. 

DIY Fix a Leaky Pipe

No handy homeowner and/or homesteader worth his or her salt would consider hiring a pro to fix a leaky drainpipe. The solution might be as simple as screwing the slip-nut tight. But if your leak is coming from a hole in the pipe, you can DIY fix it by utilizing hose clamps with flexible couplings. 

However, if the leak is coming from inside a wall, you might want to call in a pro since this fix will require several contracting trades. 

Hire a Pro to Hang Your Wallpaper

Many homeowners automatically assume hanging wallpaper is a breeze. But the truth is, hanging wallpaper can be a tricky if not impossible business if you’re not trained in the trade. Hanging the wallpaper straight while matching the continuing patterns is not easy and requires, at minimum, two people. 

On occasion, the paper will bubble, and this necessitates the sheet to be removed and reinstalled. If the bubbling occurs often enough, you might run out of material and be forced to order more. 

But by hiring a professional, you can be sure your wallpaper will receive a smooth installation. The project might even come in under budget. 

DIY a Clogged Garbage Disposal

Say the experts; you can fix a clogged garbage disposal by using a special wrench that will fit inside a hexagonal opening that exists on the underside of the disposal. Naturally, you want to ensure the disposal is turned off before attempting the repair. 

Call a plumber if your efforts do not work out and the clog persists. 

Hire a Pro to Paint Your Home’s Exterior

Exterior house painting is a major project, and it’s also dangerous. Almost all homes will require the painting not only of exterior walls but also the soffits, the trim, the rake boards, plus all the siding. The painting process “requires extensive use of ladders.” Some ladders and scaffolding will be needed at high, above-ground levels. Other times, painters will need to climb up onto the roof. 

Remember that some exterior painting jobs have been associated with serious injuries and even deaths. This means homeowners need to consider the safety mandates required by law before hiring a professional to tackle the project.    

DIY Fix a Running Toilet

You can easily repair a running toilet with “a toilet rebuild kit,” which can be purchased at most hardware stores. The kits usually come with easy-to-follow instructions (or you can YouTube it). 

However, if you’re dealing with a specialty or even one-piece toilet, you might need to call in a reputable plumber to repair the problem. 

Hire a Pro to Install a Ceiling Fan

Although building experts will admit that a ceiling fan installation is not overly difficult, it can take up to more than a few hours of your time, depending on the size of the fan and your home maintenance experience. 

But it also requires long periods of balancing yourself on a stepladder and some knowledge of electrical work. If you’re not comfortable with the former and entirely ignorant of the latter, you most definitely need to hire a professional.

Heather Jones
Heather Jones
Hello! I'm Heather Jones, a dedicated writer and expert in the fields of DIY projects, home improvement, and emergency preparedness. With over 15 years of hands-on experience, I'm committed to sharing practical tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your home and life.

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