As a rental property investor with a few handyman skills, it’s tempting to handle your own property maintenance and repairs. However, some tasks carry significant risks, especially when dealing with electrical and plumbing work. Your lack of expertise can lead to injuries or worsen the issue. Do-it-yourself rental property owners should know how to mitigate common hazards of electrical and plumbing repairs and understand when to call in professionals to avoid further complications.
While many property owners prefer to do their repairs themselves to save money or feel more in control, understanding the risks, particularly for plumbing and electrical repairs, is essential. Knowing when to rely on a licensed professional for these tasks can prevent costly mistakes.
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.
You might think you’ve turned off the power only to find out it’s still live. Faulty wiring could damage appliances, lights, or worse, cause electrocution or an electrical fire.
Instead of saving yourself a few dollars, DIY electrical repairs could end up costing more if something goes wrong. You might also be putting your tenants at risk. This is why hiring a licensed electrician, even for basic electrical repairs and maintenance, is often the better choice.
When to Call a Plumber for Urgent Rental Property Repairs
When it comes to plumbing repairs, some tasks are simple enough for do-it-yourselfers, like replacing a toilet stopper or installing a new showerhead. But in urgent situations, such as when a tenant reports a broken pipe or backed-up drain, attempting to fix it yourself could lead to severe water damage.
The longer water flows unchecked into your rental property, the greater the damage will be. It’s crucial to address urgent plumbing repairs quickly and professionally, which often means calling a plumber who can provide high-quality service.
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 Strive for professional services in Spokane Valley and nearby. Contact us online or call 509-396-7021 for more information.
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