Do you suspect there is an electrical problem in your Dallas, TX, home? You may attempt to correct the issue on your own-but this could be dangerous. At Mister Sparky, we recommend giving our professionals a call. We are licensed and trained to provide an array of electrical repairs and services.
Taking On an Electrical Installation or Repair Yourself
Many homeowners may take on do-it-yourself (DIY) electrical projects because it can be less expensive than hiring an electrician. If you are fully capable, then by all means, go right ahead. Just be sure to call in a specialist if things go over your head. For the less knowledgeable and experienced, be aware of some of the possible risks involved. The more you know, the better.
Facts to Know About When Working on a DIY Electrical Project
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Loss of Coverage
It is illegal to perform electrical services without a permit, and you could lose your homeowners insurance coverage.
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Mistakes
If you start an electrical DIY project only to find that you are not able to do the work yourself after all, you risk making the problem worse and spending more to fix it than you would have originally if you went straight to a professional instead.
If you are able to accomplish it, it may still come up in an inspection when you're trying to sell your home, in which case you would have to pay to have the job redone.
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Electrical Fires and Hazards
House fires, shocks, and other injuries can occur when working with electrical wires.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFI), home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year, causing 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage.
One small oversight is all it takes for an electrical failure to cause everything to go up in smoke. To make matters worse, homeowners insurance policies sometimes will not cover damages indirectly caused by a DIY electrical project.
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Fatalities
Thousands of deaths occur each year because of electrical mishaps.
Electric shock is still a leading cause of death for construction workers. Even with the appropriate equipment and training, electrocution is a very real possibility. For DIYers without the proper equipment or training, the risk of death by electric shock increases dramatically.
If that doesn't deter you, and you believe you are capable of taking on an electrical project of your own, then here are some useful pointers to help you out.
Tips for DIY Electrical Projects
- Be prepared to invest a lot of time into planning and preparation.
- Make sure the power is off before you do any electrical work on a circuit.
- Be sure to post a sign on the electrical panel so that nobody tries to restore power while you are working on circuits.
- Be sure to label a diagram before unhooking wires so you don't have to guess how to reconnect them.
- Avoid damp areas to prevent shock.
- Don't overload sockets, and be sure to unplug equipment not in use.
- Check to see if wires have any wear and tear.
- Don't take chances, and contact a professional if need be.
- Pace yourself, and don't rush any work.
- Use tools with rubber grips.
- Wear shoes with nonconductive soles.
Even though do-it-yourself projects may seem like they cost you less money, it is always best to hire an electrician who knows what they are doing-and you may even save money in the long run since the job will be done safely and correctly the first go around. Being economical should never be a substitute for personal safety. Avoid injuries by hiring one of our certified electrical experts at Mister Sparky.
Call Our Experts for Any Electrical Services
Our electricians at Mister Sparky are true professionals and ready to take on any task. Don't assume you can tackle any electrical project in your Dallas, TX, home if you are unsure of something. Team up with our experts instead. Call us today at Dallas 214-414-2727 or Fort Worth 817-952-9532, or request service online.