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Electrical work is among the most dangerous jobs, and it takes years of experience and learning to get the job done safely and correctly.
If you’re not a trained professional, don’t have the right tools, and don’t know the right safety precautions to take, you should always refrain from doing any electrical work yourself to prevent any injury or damage.
Why Can’t I Do It Myself?
There can be a lot of harm in trying, especially when you aren’t a trained professional electrician. First, you’d have to know all the safety procedures necessary to do the work safely, not just for yourself but for those you live with and your home.
There are huge risks of bodily harm and property damage if things are repaired or installed incorrectly. Things such as:
Electrocution
There’s a potentially fatal outcome of plugging in the wrong thing in the wrong place, touching the wrong wire, operating on equipment with the power still on, and more. There are many ways you can electrocute yourself when doing electrical work.
Fire
When there are fault connections, overloaded circuits, or the wrong gauge of wire is used, you could cause a fire. However, there are more ways to cause a fire when doing electrical work wrong, so it’s just best to leave it up to someone who has the proper know-how.
Outdoor Outlets
Outdoor outlets have to have a ground fault interrupter button in case water gets in or is nearby. If you install an outlet without this, it can have devastating results.
Breaker Box Dangers
If something is incorrectly labeled on your breaker box, or you turn off the power to the wrong location, you risk working with live wires, which can lead to severe injury and even death.
Additionally, you may not be aware of specific safety procedures or equipment that will make the process even more dangerous for you. You cannot DIY an electrical issue or installation without being adequately trained and fully knowing what you’re doing, regardless of how much of an expert you think you are at DIY fixes.
What if I’ve Done It Before and Feel Confident I Can Fix It?
Even if you think you can do it, please reconsider and don’t try to attempt anything unless you’re a trained professional. You may have general knowledge of how to mend an electrical problem, but you never know what unexpected issue could come up. For example, you could turn the power off wrong to the equipment or the house and cause serious bodily harm to yourself.
Another reason is that even if you think you’ve installed it right and survived the fix or installation without any issues, you still risk that you didn’t do it right. Even if it’s working temporarily, there’s still a chance it was done incorrectly. This could not only lead to pricey fixes later down the line that could have been avoided with an initial cost of paying for a proper installation but could cause harm to your home or yourself later on.
You also run the risk of installing the wrong part or wire, leading to significant issues down the line. Even small tasks (like changing an outlet or light switch) can lead to loose wires and overheating if done wrong. No matter how easy the task may seem, don’t take the chance and just call a professional.
Bottom Line: Hire a Professional Electrician
As previously stated, even if you consider yourself a pro, please rely on a professional electrician that’s trained to do the job correctly to save yourself any other further fixes or bodily harm to yourself or your family. A properly trained professional electrician will know how to install, repair, and replace wiring, conduits, fixtures, and any electrical component in your home so that you don’t have to.
Some things you should look for when finding someone to install or repair your electrical needs include the following:
- Make sure they’re professional in the way they present themselves and the way they work. The level of professionalism does make a difference when it comes to getting the best work for the price.
- Make sure they’re a qualified professional electrician with the right qualifications and years of experience. This will keep you from calling in additional help down the line if something is not repaired or installed correctly.
- If you’re on a budget and you want to go for someone more affordable, please make sure they’re still qualified professionals who have experience and aren’t just someone you found online who claims to be able to do the job.
- Find someone who offers financial plans or see if your home insurance covers the repair.
Finding a trained professional to do the job will help you feel reassured that you and your home are safe, secure, and up to code.
