If you’re working on a
renovation or other DIY project, you might be tempted to complete a small
electrical task yourself. However, it’s important to realise that all
electrical work must be completed by a fully qualified and licenced
electrician, no matter how small the job may be. This isn’t just to protect
yourself, but to protect others as well. It also ensures the job will be completed
to the highest standard. To learn of more reasons why DIY electrical work is a
bad idea, read on.
Risk of Fire
When attempting to carry
out your own electrical work, the chance of something going wrong is very high,
leading to the risk of fire. All it takes is one wire that’s not connected
properly to create a short that could lead to a fire in your home. To minimise
the chance of fire, it’s important to get all electrical work done by a
professional electrician.
Risk of Electrocution
In addition to a high
risk of fire, doing your own electrical work also comes with the risk of
electrocution. A proper electrician will know how to safely work with dangerous
electrical components to avoid electrocution, but it's likely that your own
knowledge in this area is lacking. To avoid becoming a statistic, you must hire
an electrician who can get the job done safely. Even if it's an urgent job, you
can call on an emergency
electrician who can attend at short notice so you don't have to take a
risk.
Code Violations
Another downside of doing
your own electrical work is the risk of completing work that violates code.
Many electrical works in Melbourne require certificates to be provided by a
licenced electrician. If this certificate isn't provided, you could run into
problems when it comes time to selling your house or trying to claim on your
house insurance. The last thing you want is for your house to burn down due to
faulty wiring and for your insurance company not to pay out due to the
electrical work having not been done professionally.
Costly Repairs
The irony of DIY
electrical work is that people often attempt it to save money, but in the long
term, it can actually end up costing you a lot more money. If you make a
mistake, you could need the services of an emergency electrician to provide
emergency repairs – and these repairs will not come cheap. If you want to save
money, the best option is to hire an electrician right from the get-go.
Puts Everyone at Risk
Finally, the biggest
reason why DIY electrical work shouldn't be attempted is due to the risk it
poses not just to you, but to everyone around you. Faulty wiring can lead to
electrocution for anyone who touches it, which puts everyone in your household
at risk. If you want to keep both yourself and your family safe, it's best to
keep the emergency work for a professional electrician who knows exactly what
they're doing.