Most homeowners wish to complete home repairs and maintenance themselves as it can save on money as well as time (the phrase, “The repairman will arrive anywhere from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.” comes to mind). As much as it may be frustrating, though, there are just some repairs that you should not DIY due to the potential harm it could cause to you, your family, and your home. Electrical repairs are one such project that should be left to professional electricians.
So, what types of electrical repairs should you leave to the professionals?
Anything to do with electrical wiring and electrical home renovation, electrical panel repair, or appliance repair should not be considered DIY projects. We will discuss why in more detail below.
Electrical Wiring
Electrical wiring is an extremely complex process that should only be completed by licensed electricians. It is unlikely that a layman who has watched some videos on electrical wiring is fully adept and knowledgeable on the electrical wiring process and what could go wrong.
Some things that could occur include physical harm to either yourself or someone else, the creation of a live wire that will eventually electrocute someone, or an incorrectly wired electrical component that will cause a fire. Occurrences such as fire may not happen right away but could happen weeks or even months down the road when you do not expect it.
Licensed electricians are especially necessary during home renovations. There are numerous codes and federally enforced regulations regarding safe electrical wiring in homes. Different areas of the home even have different regulations. To ensure your home is up to code and safe from fire or electrical shorts, use an experience and licensed electrician.
Electrical Panel Repair
Electrical panels control the electricity that flows to all areas of the house and if something goes wrong, troubleshooting can be quite difficult. Many times, repairing a damaged electrical panel involves trial and error. Someone repairing it DIY could potentially cause even more damage such as shorting out an electrical component further in the house, which could then lead to an even more costly and time-consuming repair.
It is best to leave electrical panel repairs to the professionals as the repair will be completed more efficiently and safely.
Electrical Appliance Repair
A leading cause of fire in the home is faulty, old, frayed, or damaged electrical wiring, often from appliances such as laundry machines, ovens, electrical heaters, and more. Unfortunately, those who DIY typically do not have the expertise necessary to replace older or damaged wires effectively.
Similar to home renovations, appliance repair may not cause a fire right away but may at a later date. Ensure that your appliances are safe to use by having them repaired and the older ones inspected by electrical professionals.
Electrical DIY Projects You Can Do at Home
While most electrical projects should be completed by licensed professionals, there are a couple that you can safely do yourself. These projects are ones that do not involve electrical panels and do not involve wiring or home renovations as these could lead to bodily damage or electrical fires if completed incorrectly. Below is a list of the DIY repairs that are safe.
• Light switch replacement
• Outlet replacement
• Ceiling fan replacement
• Lighting replacement
Conclusion
While every home will require electrical repairs at some point, it is best to leave most repairs to licensed electrical professionals and only do the simple replacements yourself. Electrical wiring completed incorrectly could lead to catastrophic damage to you or your property. Let the professionals do the hard work while you relax in the knowledge that your home and appliances are wired correctly to ensure the continued safety of your family and property.
Bratcher Electric in Wayne keeps the residents of Michigan safe and up to code with their expert electrical contracting services. We handle everything electrical in your home or business from new wiring, code and service upgrades, surge protection backup power systems and so much more! Call for a Free Consultation today.