Like everyone else, being subjected to quarantine encouraged people to be more hands-on, self-sufficient, and inclined to do things themselves. All that time at home, quarantine led us to observe our homes and ourselves for quite a while to great extents. It sparked our adventurous side in self-care and home renovation ideas.
Whether it’s to update the aesthetics of our homes or to save costs on things we can try to do ourselves, DIY culture has permeated everyone’s lifestyles in these uncertain times.
But when is taking “doing-it-yourself” too far? From finding meaning to our symptoms online to making ill-informed renovation decisions, here are some things that we should leave to the pros:
Eh, what’s up Doc?
A study shows that 59% of Americans who have access to the internet look for health-related information online. The problem with this is that it could lead to a lot of misdiagnoses. Doctors and other medical professionals have spent years and years of their lives developing a deep understanding of the human body. They have different methods and approaches to narrow down the causes and symptoms to get the most accurate diagnosis to give a patient proper treatment.
People who turn to the internet for medical advice are very susceptible to misinformation. When presented with medical information regarding their symptoms, they won’t know how to interpret that data and accurately diagnose themselves. They could end up taking the wrong medication with the wrong doses, causing more harm than good.
It seems that the answer here is clear. If you feel sick, it’s best to seek medical advice from a doctor or a medical professional.
To the Window, to the Wall!
Not all DIY home projects are created equal. Some are low risk and simple enough to do on your own, while others are just way too risky. We all can easily fall victim to the appeal of DIY home projects that we see on online shows or TV. We often overlook that these people, if not professionals already, still possess experience and know-how to some degree. It’s the whole reason that they can create that kind of content in the first place.
The best way to avoid any home project mishap is to get the right people to do specific tasks for you. Believe it or not, installing curtains require specific techniques and experience to execute correctly. If you still feel inclined to do it yourself, it would be in your best interest to at least seek advice from the experts.
A DIY pipedream
Did you know? Plumbing is a licensed trade. Almost all states require plumbers to have certifications and licenses to perform any plumbing work. It means that maybe doing a quick fix on that smelly drain might not be a good idea. A quick fix can quickly turn into a multitude of problems down the line if not done correctly. Most of the time, what may seem as “simple” plumbing problems stem from more complicated causes that only licensed master plumbers can properly diagnose.
If a DIY plumbing fix goes wrong, there is a possibility of putting your family and yourself at a health and safety risk. Worst case scenario is cross-contamination. You might unknowingly link two pipes that shouldn’t be together and end up drinking sewage water. It can promote the growth of bacteria and spawn all types of nasty things. These mistakes can be costly. It can forfeit your home insurance, get you into legal trouble, and bring down the value of your home.
It begs the question of why you even go through all that trouble? If you have leaky pipes or a smelly drain, make sure to contact your local plumbers or plumbing contractors to get the job done the right way.
Shocking results!
The worst thing you could ever DIY is electrical repairs. Like plumbing, electrical work is also a legal matter. Most states, if not all, require you to have an electrical license or at the very least a permit to perform any electrical task. Honestly, you should never even consider doing it yourself.
Statistics identify that one of the top causes of house fires in the U.S. is an electrical malfunction. Attempting electrical repairs can result in faulty or exposed wiring that can either shock you or ignite fires. Even then, you’re lucky to live through low voltages of electric shock. Exposure to very high voltages will ultimately lead to death.
There are high risks involved in electrical works. Hiring trained and licensed professionals to perform these tasks is only the right thing to do. Pay that premium, or else you could end up paying with your life.
Meta title: Do It Yourself? Maybe Not: Tasks We Should Let the Pros Handle
meta desc: The do-it-yourself mentality allows you to feel mature and responsible, especially when the results are successful. However, there are some situations that justify the need for professionalservices.
