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home repairs

Electrical systems are complex and potentially dangerous, which is reason enough to let an experienced and knowledgeable electrician do the work instead of you. Although homeowners are never advised to try to DIY repairs, Australians know that amateur repairs are even illegal. The law here is much tougher than in other countries, and under the Electrical Safety Act of 2002, unlicensed electrical work includes”the manufacturing, constructing, installing, testing, maintaining, repairing, altering, removing, or replacing of electrical equipment.” Apart from dizzying fines, rest assured that your home insurance provider won’t have much sympathy for your heroic DIY buzz work. Let’s look into a few situations when an electrician’s expertise can save the day.

Early malfunction signs

To an amateur, diagnosing an electrical problem might appear complicated and abstract. Still, there are several early warning signs that can tell you something’s wrong. For example, the smell of burning plastic at a power outlet, appliance or a switchboard. The second level of emergency is discoloration of any outlet cable or appliance. Situations like these might be so urgent that you can’t wait for the electrician to arrive. As soon as you notice signs like these, turn off the electricity in your home by flipping down the three main circuit breakers on your switchboard. This is something every member of the household should know how to do. Ideally, you should know which breaker shuts down what, but in an emergency, there’s no time for taking chances.

Hazards of DIY repairs

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According to Fire & Rescue NSW report, in 2014 there were 150 home fires and five deaths, with electrical malfunctions being the top cause, after unattended cooking. In the short period between 2002 and 2004, about 1,500 people in Australia were hospitalized for electrical injuries, with 162 electrical-related deaths between 2001 and 2004. Although these figures may seem low when compared to other household dangers, they are not to be ignored. Apart from immediate physical injury, any kind of amateur repair attempt can result in serious property damage. AT the very least, an inexpert intervention can damage the appliance or the electrical fixture you are trying to repair. However, there is always a risk of fire, with damages that definitely outweigh the expenses of a professional electrician you should have called in the first place.

Skills that keep electricians in business

Aside from understanding electric currents, voltage, power ratings, etc., a professional electrician understands the mechanical aspects of the components they need to install. Pinpointing the problem in the shortest time frame largely depends on the electrician’s understanding of how the system operates. In many situations, complex components need to be taken apart in order to access the problematic area. Finally, an electrician should understand and apply various electrical codes and laws by which they’re regulated. Some projects you had in mind will require permission from city planning offices. When a home inspector comes by, they need to make sure that everything your licenced Sydney electrician has done meets all the code requirements and regulations of the trade.

Knowledge you can’t buy

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Experienced electricians can perform a wide range of electrical jobs. Apart from being familiar with all sorts of electrical components and their function, they possess a vast knowledge of electrical currents, their properties and side effects, such as electromagnetic and thermal. By knowing how electrical circuits interact with one another, and how they need to be grounded properly, an electrician can ensure that your whole system functions seamlessly. Anyone can purchase a new part or cable, and even learn how to replace a broken one, but only licenced electricians can see “the big picture” and can guarantee the safety of their work.

After all the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed, unless you are a commercial licensed electrician yourself, better leave everything to professionals. Apart from changing the light bulb and manipulating circuit breakers in an emergency, anything above isn’t worth risking injury, property damage and voided insurance policy. Your best course of action would be to learn how to recognize a problem early on and contact an emergency electrician who operates in your neighbourhood.

People are always trying to make ends meet, and when it comes to home remodeling, it can become so expensive (the average price is $39.957) that you need to do your best to save every dollar you can. The majority does that by opting for low-end materials or taking matters into their own hands instead of leaving them to professionals. And sure, there are some projects you can take on yourself, or use a more affordable material, but sometimes these decisions come back to haunt you when you least expect, and you end up spending more money than you would initially have to. If you are planning on remodeling, we’ll help you out by telling you where you shouldn’t cheap out.

Electrical panel repair

Leaving the electrical repairs to professionals is common sense, but there is no harm in saying it yet again. Besides the risk of getting yourself electrocuted, there is also the chance it would be more difficult to sell your property one day. Modifying the electrical panel requires getting a permit. If you don’t do that, you won’t be able to get an ESA (Electrical Safety Association) Certificate, which is a common thing for agents and buyers to ask.

Major plumbing works

Sure, you can unplug your toilet, but any major plumbing work should be left to the plumbers. It is vital to avoid complicated jobs that include the main supply line or the main stack.

Skylight installation

Skylights are great solutions for dark rooms where there is no place for a window. With all the fuss about the natural light being a sought-after feature among the home buyers, they are also a pretty good investment. However, the roof is a tricky place to install a window, and if you don’t do it properly, it can deteriorate over time and allow water into your home.

Window replacement

Similar goes for window replacement. For this task, you need specialized tools and skills. You can’t just improvise when it comes to removing and installing windows. Also, the windows are very pricey and important for energy-efficiency, so saving money on this could actually cost you more than you thought it would in the first place.

Appliances repair

Regardless whether we are talking about gas or electrical appliances, this is the area you should definitely avoid. Both of these power sources can be dangerous to tackle, and even if everything seems fine when you’re done with the fixing, there can be leaks or small malfunctions which can cause serious backfire. In some cases, it is better to buy the new ones. Nevertheless, with good quality units, paying a handyman and getting spare parts is a good investment, too.

Basement renovation

A finished basement not only adds space to your property but also value. Many homeowners decide to take on this project because they don’t consider it to be the main part of the house, and they think the flaws won’t be that obvious. However, some basement projects can result in major structural issues, so it is better to take your enthusiasm elsewhere.

Asbestos removal

Asbestos is the plague of many houses built before the 1980s, and during a renovation, the particles of this toxin can get into the air and cause health problems. If you suspect your house could host this dangerous guest, turn to the professionals.

Roof repairs or replacements

There are many cases when people get injured by falling from the roof. Even if you do know what you are doing, it is not worth the risk.

Demolition

If hitting the walls with a sledgehammer sounds fun to you, think again. What if you hit the load bearing the wall? Or damage the pipes and wiring? Not so fun, after all. For such massive projects, you need to know exactly where to hit, so it is better to call the pros.

Faux finishes

And for the finish line? Don’t do your own faux finishes. The effects of stone or wood on the walls can be beautiful, but if done clumsily, they can look like a hot mess. These projects that rely on aesthetics should be done by people with trained eyes and hands.

There is nothing wrong with saving money where you can, but usually you get exactly what you’ve paid for, and in these cases, that could be – a disaster. These were the tasks that should always be left to the professionals with the right skills and tools.