#plumbing problems

It already sucked because there is no space to stand and dig, as my bleeding knuckles attest, never mind all the roots, bricks, etc in the ground over the pipe, but now I have to scrape it out very slowly and very carefully.

If I goof? Oh, maybe I just cut the power to the well pump. Or….maybe I knock out power to the entire dang house! And, sure, there is the old electrocution risk.

So I dig slowly, hoping with every uncovered inch of pipe that I will FINALLY find the source of the problem. So far? Nothing! unlike the pipe I dug up on the cedar tree side of the house, this section still looks in good shape and there aren’t any roots growing into it.

I know how my life works. I’ll dig up up everything I can get at, and it will turn out the problem is where the pipe runs under the ramp (and the stairs under it. I spent MONTHS moving, repairing, and adding to that ramp so it would be usable the year Mom had her stroke. I was racing time, not taking it to plan. I simply can’t move it alone, and even with help it would basically involve tearing it partially apart first.

***sigh***

Sigh

We live in the age of information where people can easily go online and learn how to do just about anything.  Because of this many people consider themselves a jack of all trades, particularly when it comes to home repairs. Yet as “handy” as many of us might like to believe ourselves to be, there are some things that we should leave to the experts.

Regardless of whether we can find tutorials online or receive advice from a friend, some repairs can pose serious safety risks and expensive damage if not carried out by a professional. Here are five repairs you should never attempt to do yourself.

Plumbing Repairs

While some minor plumbing issues like a leaky faucet or a clogged drain might be easily fixed yourself, complex plumbing repairs should always be left to professional plumbers. This is especially important for repairs involving the main water lines or sewer lines. An improper repair could lead to serious damage and Expensive repercussions.

Structural Repairs

When it comes to the foundation of your home you should always leave structural issues to professionals. Failing to repair the structural integrity of your home correctly could not only compromise the longevity of the construction, but you could put you and your family’s safety seriously at risk.

Roof Repairs

Climbing onto the roof and attempting to repair it yourself isn’t dangerous, it could be deadly. Without the proper training and professional equipment, you could take a serious fall, not to mention damage your roof even more. Roof repairs require significant training and a knowledge of the right techniques in order to ensure a proper ceiling to prevent further leaks.

Electrical Repairs

If you find yourself with an electrical issue, you might be tempted to go on YouTube and find a tutorial to fix it. However, electrical work can be particularly hazardous and complicated, and can lead to serious dangers. Live wires are one of the leading causes of death amongst DIY home repairs, which is why you always want to leave electrical repairs to a professional.

Gas Appliance Repairs

If you have gas appliances like furnaces, stoves or water heaters, you require a specialized professional who has the correct knowledge to repair safely. If you attempt to do it yourself, it could lead to a gas leak causing carbon monoxide poisoning, or even lead to an explosion.

Making repairs yourself instead of calling a professional can often be the more affordable route. However, it's important that you know which repairs are safe to DIY, and which ones are better left to the pros.