Who doesn’t like a home project? A chance to get your hands dirty and the pride of accomplishing something on your own? Plus, you can save yourself some money! For many DIY projects it can be safe and fun experience, but not when it comes to electrical work. Even if you fancy yourself extremely handy around the house. It’s just not safe.
Why are DIY Electrical Repairs a Bad Idea?
The biggest reason that DIY electrical work is not a good idea is that it’s dangerous. It’s a good way to get yourself hurt, other people hurt or damage to your personal property. It takes lots of education to become an electrician and they do hours and hours of training before they are on their own. There’s a good reason for this; electricity is highly volatile and unpredictable without the proper training. One little mistake and disaster can strike in the form of a fire. Sure, you can google just about any DIY project, but they are usually not comprehensive and reading about it and actually doing it are two different things.
Common Dangers of DIY Electrical Work
• Electrical shock that can be harmful. Electrical shock can be deadly at any voltage level, more so with higher voltages. You might think turning off the power at the breaker box is enough, but some homeowners skip this step or switch the wrong one off.
• Fire hazards. There are just too many electrical components to deal with and it can get confusing. This makes it easy for a fire to start. You can experience major burns, loss of property, including electrical components, appliance wiring and other belongings.
• GFI implementation. Another way our homes are kept safe is with the use of ground fault interrupters or GFIs. These are used in areas that are at higher risk of shock in the event of a faulty connection, usually in areas with moisture like kitchen and bathrooms. GFIs have a built-in sensor to cut power.
• Issues with electrical inspections. The electrical components in your home are required to pass inspection. This is overlooked by many DIYers and can result in heavy fines. Chances are good that your work will not pass inspection when it comes time to sell your home.
• Death. Not common but reason enough to avoid DIY electrical work.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that approximately 400 domestic electrocutions happen every year. And of the estimated 360,900 residential building fires reported, the leading cause is electrical issues and mistake. These statistics reinforce how important it is to hire a professional electrician to perform electrical work in your home.
Electrical Services in Laguna Woods, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Lake Forest & Orange County, California
Your home is your biggest investment. It’s just not worth the risk to do electrical work on your own. Your best bet is to hire professionals the first time around to avoid costly and dangerous mistakes. The cost of hiring an electrician is a lot less than what it will cost you if something should go wrong. Trust the professionals at Peterkin Electric to handle any electrical work in your home. Give us a call today!
