Learn about the hidden costs of DIY fixes. Discover the most common mistakes that can turn simple projects into expensive endeavors.
Many of us like to think that we’re pretty good at getting DIY jobs done around the house. We get our drills, hammers, nails, paintbrushes, and screwdrivers out and get to work. But, most of us aren’t actually trained in any form of decorating or construction and can be prone to making mistakes. Many smaller mistakes are fine and easy enough to deal with, but there are a few DIY fixes that often end up quite costly further down the line. Let’s take a look at 4 of the most common quick DIY fixes that often cause people to spend far more than they should.
SINK PIPING REPAIR
It sounds simple, right? Unscrewing a couple of pipes underneath your sink will help unblock it. Surely you can just look instructions up on a website, grab a few tools, and become an expert plumber for the afternoon. Sadly, it’s not always that easy! In fact, it is one of the most common issues that causes homeowners great expense. Taking pipes apart is an extremely risky thing to do without proper training and can lead to leaks, cracked pipes, or the simple inability to put everything back in the right place again.
If you are struggling with a blocked sink or drain, try a drain cleaner and a drain snake first. If you don’t succeed with those items, stop right there. Call your local plumbing expert and have them come and take a look at your blockages. They are trained professionals who will be able to take your drain apart without any issues and find out exactly what the problem is. Sure, it might cost a little bit now, but it will save you far more money than you’d spend on emergency repairs later.
DIY ELECTRICAL WORK
Another huge mistake people tend to make is being overconfident with electrical work. We should stress once again that it is always safer to use trained professionals when it comes to electrical work. The current in the home can be very strong and cause serious injury or death. This leads us to ask: Why do so many people decide that they are going to have a go at fixing a light switch themselves? It’s not only dangerous, but it can also lead to seriously costly emergency repairs. Pulling the wrong wire in the wrong direction, or connecting them up wrong can lead to faults that affect the entire circuit or whole home. Don’t risk your entire home’s electricity (and breaking the bank!) for the sake of a quick fix.
POOR PAINT JOBS
Painting is something most of us can do. It’s a lot more simple—and far less dangerous—than our previous examples. So, what could go wrong? The most common issue with quick-fix paint jobs is improper preparation. A lot of time spent painting should actually be spent preparing. Walls should be cleaned properly prior to painting—something that many people avoid. All cracks, dents, and holes should be filled with an appropriate filler, left to fully dry, then sanded down to flat.
Without doing these preparatory bits of work, you will end up with a bumpy, smudged, and uneven paint job, no matter how hard you try. The other common mistake people make is using the wrong tools. Large areas should be painted with rollers or pads so as not to leave brush strokes on the walls. Also, make sure you’re using the proper paint. Certain paints are designed for certain surfaces, and using the wrong one could cost a fortune in stripping and replacing.
DIY DOORS AND WINDOWS
Cracked window, doorframe, or broken handles? These are the kinds of things that pull people into a false sense of DIY security. Seems like a quick fix to fill, tape, or cover over a cracked frame, pane, or panel. However, doors and windows are in constant movement and use. Not fixing them properly in the first instance will almost certainly lead to further problems down the line. That crack will get bigger, the chip will become a hole, the handle will fall completely off. Get it sorted properly the first time and save yourself a painful conversation with a handyman in 6 months’ time.
These common mistakes are usually quite understandable but sadly, they are all avoidable. Take our advice when we say that the best thing to do is get it sorted out by a professional right away. Don’t try to fix everything yourself if you’re unsure of how to do it, you’ll only end up having to pay someone twice as much to come to fix it again in an emergency.
