The Top Five Most Dangerous Jobs to Do in Your Home

Every man thinks he is an expert at home repair. Not only does he not need to read the directions, but the rules of gravity do not apply to him. From putting in a new light socket to reroofing the house, they think they can get it done in just a few hours. However, there are some jobs around the home that are more dangerous than others. Here are the five most dangerous.

1. Gas Appliances and Fittings

There are appliances around your home that run on natural gas like your stove and hot water heater. It is relatively easy to successfully turn off the gas and take your stove or water heater, but not so easy to properly fit the new lines. Gas will find any opening to leak from in the lines. If your work is not exact and gas leaks into your home, you could have a serious explosion or carbon monoxide leak that endangers your home and family. Many professional companies including Academy Mechanical Inc. rank this job as the most dangerous job to do in the home because of the serious consequences of making a mistake.

2. Asbestos Removal

If you have an older home, it might have been insulated with asbestos, which we now know can cause cancer and other health hazards. Removing asbestos can be dangerous work. It is not a matter of simply opening the wall and putting it in trash bags. Today, there are many local ordinances that dictate exactly how asbestos should be removed from the home, because it is so toxic.

3. Electrical Repairs

Electricity can kill! It might seem simply to change out a light switch but there is a live current running through the wires that must be turned off before work begins. Extending or replacing circuits if not done properly can lead to electrical fires. Some common electrical repairs and replacements require permits and a professional.

4. Plumbing Repairs and Replacements

While a plumbing job might not be dangerous to your health, it can be very dangerous to your home and personal property. If there is a way out for water, it will find it. The smallest opening can lead to a very expensive leak to repair and damage to your walls and floors. If you attempt to patch a pipe and it gives way, you could do thousands of dollars’ worth of damage if the pipe bursts.

5. Roofing Repairs

Yes, gravity is real. Your roof is the highest point in your home. Without the proper tools and ladders, trying to get onto your roof can be dangerous. Climbing up and down the ladder with tools and supplies can be tiring work, and the more tired you are the more likely you are to make a mistake. Depending on the height of your roof, falling off could cause serious injury or even death.