We find it easy to turn to YouTube, search for “how to fix” videos, and then get to work ourselves. After all, it is considered one of the best practical teachers out there. Although you can learn some jobs like painting or deep cleaning through YouTube or other sites, you should avoid falling into the trap of DIY electrical work.
Every house with electricity running through it can face issues with electrical components. It might not sound complex to some of us, but a lot can go wrong, and the risks involved are substantial.
If you need a reason to avoid doing electrical work yourself, here are five.
Electrocution
It is easy to tell when someone is getting an electric shock in the cartoon world; you will see their skeletons flashing, smoke rising out of them, and even a few lightning symbols radiating out of their body. But in real life, getting electrocuted is no fun. Feeling the buzzing power of electricity rushing through your body is not nearly as exciting as it sounds, not even close.
Humans can easily conduct electricity at household voltages, but it is not something that our bodies are meant for. Even small amounts of currents running through our bodies can have devastating consequences at high voltages. In mild cases, you will feel an intense tingle in your skin. But in severe cases, it can lead to burns, unwarranted muscle contractions, and even stop the heart!
Incorrectly connecting two wires or accidentally touching a live wire can have devastating consequences. You might recover after hitting a hammer on your thumb, but electricity does not always give you a chance for recovery.
Electrical Fire Hazards
Electrical fires are more common than you think. Every year, nearly 51,000 electrical fires are reported in the United States, accounting for almost $1.3 billion in losses. Anything from faulty wiring, incorrect components, and most importantly, unskilled workers can have devastating consequences.
Improperly trained electricians will often overlook small things that can turn out to be devastating, like improperly covered joints, loose connections, and sometimes even wrong connection.
The worst part of electric fires is that they remain hidden until they are no longer easy to control. It is easy to conduct a DIY electrical work exercise and pat yourself on the back for a job well done, only to notice hours later that it resulted in a power surge that could have burnt the whole house down.
Legal Issues
Laws and regulations vary from state to state. But in most states, there are specific tasks that are allowed to be done as DIY electric work, while others require the approval of an inspector.
What we may perceive as minor repairs can have significant consequences from a legal perspective. If the work is not up to the standards, it can result in heavy fines.
Most inspections are carried out when a property is sold or rented property is vacated. Depending on the state laws, anyone from federal inspectors, state teams, or a private authorized agency can inspect your property for quality issues. If electrical issues are found, you can expect your moving process to last longer than you had planned and will cost you unnecessary repairs.
Overconfidence
How hard can it be to swap a household socket that has malfunctioned? All you need is a pair of screwdrivers, a set of pliers, some electric tape, and you are good to go. We have given ourselves undue confidence with these “How hard can it be?” statements.
But this confidence can sometimes lead to devastating effects. When working with electricity, it is essential to assume that nothing is too simple. Being careless about loose connections or uncovered wires can lead to sparking and heating at switches and outlets, which can, in turn, have dangerous outcomes.
More Damage
Modern electric systems often have a vast network of wires running all over. Toying around with a complex mesh of wires poses a lot of risks. If a wrong connection causes a concealed wire to burn out, you will require a team of experts. The team will have to find the fault first and then correct the issue. They might even have to damage the wall to reveal the concealed wiring in severe cases.
Last Few Words
With complex electrical systems, repairs can get pretty confusing. It is best to rely on the experts to do the job for you. The experts understand wiring systems inside out and can provide efficient and cost-effective solutions to all your electrical problems.
Remember, electricity is dangerous and is not meant to be played around. It is best to avoid taking the risk by taking on DIY electrical work and trust the professionals for the job.
We at Golden Electrical Service strive to provide you with the best electrical solutions to your residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Our teams of certified electricians are experts at repairing, fault finding, and new installations. Feel free to get in touch with us at goldenelectricalservicellc@gmail.com.
