DIY projects can be fun, and they are an excellent way to explore your handy side. However, some specific tasks are not meant for DIY but rather should be left to the professionals. This is the case with electrical projects at home. Working with electricity is dangerous if you are not a trained professional.
As your home ages, there are some electrical repairs and maintenance tasks you’ll need to do. For instance, it is standard practice that electric panels should be replaced when they are 25-40 years old. So, if your home is nearing that age, there’s a likelihood that you will need to upgrade. This article looks at home electrical work you should leave for professional home electricians.
Wiring Replacements
Home electrical wiring can be a very complex task. As such, this task must be left to professional home electricians. People who work with electricals take years of training before they set out to conduct repairs independently. All that training enables them to carry out repair work safely and efficiently without getting hurt.
Fixture Installation
Installing a light fixture or ceiling fan can seem like an easy task that one can DIY, especially if the wiring is already there. However, the slightest mistake can prove costly as you can end up blowing out the appliance or light instantly. Ceiling fans require special boxes that are not typically installed for standard fixtures, so while it may seem like a simple swap, it is far more complex to make it safe, so it does not fall out of the ceiling. At the very least, it can cost you the fixture, and in the worst case, the spark can lead to a house fire.
Electrical Panel Work
The electrical panel, also known as the breaker box, is the hub of your home’s electricity. The panel maintains and controls the amount of electricity that comes into your home and directs where it goes. You should never tamper with it as it will mismanage your power. Such a mistake can cause power surges or damage to your home’s wiring and your appliances.
Changing Switches
This can seem like an easy task to do, which is why it’s probably the most common one that people DIY. That being said, it is wise to call home electricians to change switches for you. While some switches and plugs can be simple to swap, they can also become much more complex when there are multiple switches in one box, 3-way switches, or junctions made within the electrical box. Due to shock risk and fire hazards, electrical modifications and upgrades are truly better to leave to trained professionals.
Always remember that safety comes first, so never attempt DIY complex electrical work in your home.