If you are a rental property investor and have some handyman skills, there’s a good chance you handle many of your property maintenance tasks yourself. While many property maintenance and repairs are safe for the do-it-yourself landlord, some can pose serious risks. When it comes to electrical and plumbing work, a lack of expertise could cause you to accidentally injure yourself or make the issue worse. This is why even do-it-yourself rental property owners should be aware of the hazards of electrical and plumbing work – and know when to call professionals.
Property owners often choose to handle their property maintenance and repairs themselves for various reasons. Whether it’s an attempt to save money on minor issues or because you take pride in doing the work yourself, it’s essential to recognize that some tasks are better left to licensed professionals. Plumbing and electrical tasks, in particular, require an understanding of which repairs you can safely handle yourself and when hiring an expert is a must.
Why Electrical Safety Should Be a Priority for Homeowners
When it comes to electricity, the more you know, the safer you are. Simple maintenance tasks like replacing light bulbs, outlets, and breakers can often be completed quickly and safely. You can avoid injuries if you take proper precautions and shut off electricity before starting the job.
However, any repair or maintenance task involving electricity carries its own set of risks. Even if you believe you’ve cut the power, there’s always the possibility you’re mistaken. Faulty wiring jobs can damage appliances, light fixtures, or worse, cause electrocution or an electrical fire.
Rather than saving money, these mistakes could end up being costly – and may even endanger your tenants. For this reason, it’s often a good idea to hire a licensed electrician for even basic electrical repairs and maintenance.
When to Call a Plumber for Urgent Rental Property Repairs
The same goes for plumbing repairs. Simple fixes like installing a new showerhead or replacing a toilet stopper are safe for most do-it-yourselfers. If these are routine maintenance tasks, they should not require extensive time or expertise.
However, more serious problems should be left to professionals. If a renter calls in a panic due to a broken pipe or malfunctioning garbage disposal, trying to fix it yourself could lead to more extensive damage to your rental home. As a property owner, addressing urgent plumbing repairs professionally is vital to preventing further damage. Most of the time, calling a plumber who provides high-quality service is the best course of action.
Even if you aren’t facing an urgent situation, sometimes calling an electrician or plumber is still the right choice. Although it will cost you more than if you did the work yourself, it’s important to remember that hiring a professional comes with valuable benefits.
Professionals typically carry the right insurance, have the proper tools and equipment for every job, and can complete the work more quickly and efficiently. It might be best to hire someone to handle all the electrical and plumbing work your rental property needs.
To avoid the hassle of finding a maintenance team, look no further than Real Property Management Your Home for professional services in Hixson and nearby. Contact us online or call 423-704-9944 for more information.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
