Pitfalls and Dangers of DIY Electrical Work

Many of us would like to think we are handy around the house or at our place of business. With the dawn of YouTube and the numerous home improvement shows on television, it seems like everyone is taking part in a “Do-It-Yourself” revolution. And sure, it would be great to save a few dollars by doing the work ourselves, right? Well, if you are considering DIY electrical work, no matter how simplistic it may seem, or straightforward YouTube made it look, think again. Sometimes it is easy to forget that electrical work is probably best if left to the professionals. Here are a few errors and potential dangers of doing any kind of electrical work on your own.

 

  • Electrocution – First and foremost – you should never attempt electrical work on your own as it has the potential for deadly consequences. Hooking up switches, wires or outlets can give you much more than just a little jolt. High-voltage shocks can lead to massive internal injury, critical burns, or nerve damage, not to mention the possibility of a lethal dose of electricity that could stop your heart.

 

  • Fire – Faulty wiring, installation or the wrong devices can cause an electrical fire that could mean extensive damage to your home or business. Electrical fires may occur immediately after doing the work, or may falter for days and weeks before the equipment fails completely. So, even if you think you have completed the task properly, you may have a problem down the line.

 

  • Financial Issues – So you thought you would save a bundle doing the work yourself rather than hiring a licensed and insured electrician? Initially this may be true, but in the event of an electrical fire, faulty wiring or any other of the number of things that could go wrong, it will cost you money to repair or replace existing electrical work. Worse yet, if you cause a fire or cause personal injury, your insurance may have grounds to fight coverage if you did not hire a licensed electrician.

 

Doing work yourself may be a good idea when it comes to non-technical home projects, but leave electrical repairs and installations to the pros. Call Roy Spittle today.