Not All Home Repair is DIY: 3 Times You Should Call a Pro

If you’re the type of person who likes to take matters into your own hands, then the thought of a DIY project is likely to give you a thrill. You might have a lot of home improvement knowledge, but when it comes to home repair, chances are you’re better off calling a professional. Not only will this ensure the job is done safely and accurately, but it can also save you money in the long run. The following are three home repair projects you shouldn’t roll your sleeves up for.

Prepare for the Repair

The need for a home repair crops up randomly and often at the worst possible time, but there are a few ways you can be somewhat prepared. Start by putting together a team of people you can rely on, including a general contractor, handyman, electrician, plumber, carpenter, and painter. You might also consider finding a reputable storage facility should you need to store items to prevent them from cluttering other rooms and getting in the way of repair work. In Kansas City, Missouri, the average price of a self-storage unit over the last 180 days was $102.15. While on the topic of funding, try to build up at least $2,000 in savings for emergency repairs and maintenance. This will be a lifesaver should any of these home repairs pop up.

Roof Repairs – Your roof protects your home from the elements, but these same elements can cause some major roofing issues such as leaks, damaged/missing shingles, and faulty gutters. A leak is an obvious issue when water is dripping inside your home, but this isn’t always the case. It’s a good idea to regularly check your attic area for signs of water leaks such as water stains and mold. The same goes for your roof and gutters. Use a ladder to survey the roof, and make note of anything that looks out of sorts. According to Premier Roofing of Kansas City, there isn’t a ballpark roof repair estimate, as it all depends on the type of shingles, number of layers, and if any wood repairs need to be made. As an example, they say that the removal and installation of a single layer of asphalt shingles can range from $250 to $580 per square.

HVAC Repairs – Winter is in full swing, which means your furnace is probably working overtime to keep your home nice and toasty. Unfortunately, this can bring to light many problems, with some of the most common furnace issues being dirty/clogged filters, lack of airflow, or a faulty pilot light, thermostat, or heat pump. You can stay on top of maintenance yourself by regularly changing the filter, cleaning the unit, or hiring an HVAC technician to perform a check and clean, but any serious repairs need a professional touch. According to Santa Fe Air Conditioning & Heating, the average price to repair a furnace in Kansas City will likely fall between the $150-$900-plus range, but the average price is about $475.

Plumbing Repairs – While there are a few plumbing-related fixes you can make yourself such as switching out the shower head, anything that involves your system as a whole, such as clogs, water heater issues, leaks, or broken toilets, showers, faucets, or dishwashers, should be handled by a plumber. A lot of times, what you think would be a minor fix is actually a sign of a much larger problem. For example, it’s easy to pour a drain-cleaning product down your sink, but a clog that happens again and again is a sign of something more in-depth, such as an obstruction or a clog in the sewage pipes that run under the ground. According to Cork’d, the average cost of most common plumbing problems is about $280.91 in the Kansas City area.

Home repairs are a costly nuisance, but they happen often. While you might think that making home repairs yourself will save you money, there are some that are better left to the pros. You can DIY to your heart’s content, but stay away from roofing, HVAC, and plumbing repairs!

Written by: Ray Flynn, DIY Guys

Photo by: Pixabay