Going DIY can be a great way to save money. It can also be a hobby for many people. Some of us may even deliberately challenge ourselves to take on ambitious home projects – which may include plumbing and electrical work.
Taking on such work can have its risks. For this reason, you should always exercise caution before taking on plumbing or electrical work. Below are some of the important considerations that you should make.
Assess the dangers
Electrical work can come with many dangers. Faulty wiring could result in an electrical fire or an electrical shock.
As for plumbing, you could end up flooding your house if things go wrong. Gas plumbing can be particularly disastrous if it goes wrong, potentially leading to carbon monoxide leaks or fires.
Before taking on any job, assess the dangers. Don’t forget basic steps such as turning the power off (it happens) and more importantly…
Know your own ability
Professional electricians and plumbers have to go through rigorous training and obtain licenses to carry out certain jobs. Make sure you know which jobs are beyond your ability. You may feel comfortable replacing a broken overhead light fitting, but you do really know how to fix a broken fuse box?
Instead of trying to work out complicated fixes by watching YouTube videos on repeat, swallow your pride and call an electrician.
When it comes to plumbing, you should probably steer clear of gas plumbing and only take on basic water and sewerage plumbing tasks. Unblocking a u-bend could be simple, but installing a new bathroom could be a step too far. It’s not just a case of having the right expertise, but also the right tools.
Is it legal?
Certain electrical work and plumbing work may be illegal to carry out yourself unless you get a permit. Rules can vary by state, so you’ll have to research into this yourself.
Don’t take the approach that ‘no-one will know’ – if you ever have to sell your home and certain electrical or plumbing improvements haven’t been officially approved, you could receive a hefty fine.
Find other ways to save money
If going DIY is important to you as a way of saving money, consider the fact that there may be other ways to save money other than attempting your own plumbing and electricals.
You may still be able to order in your own parts such as pneumatic air fittings for pipes – this could reduce some of the cost that a professional might otherwise charge you.
There may also be people in your network that you know who are qualified plumber and electricians – they may be able handle the jobs for you while charging mates rates.
Find other ways to challenge yourself with DIY
There are DIY tasks that can be challenging without necessarily being dangerous if you get them wrong. Make these your focus rather than trying to dabble in plumbing and electrics.
For instance, you could try building your own outdoor furniture or trying an intricate tile pattern in a bathroom.
