DIY Projects That Are Too Dangerous to Do Yourself
DIY projects can be a fun way to save money and feel accomplished, but some jobs are way riskier than they look. They can endanger you and the other people in your house – or even kill you if things go really wrong. Here are 35 jobs you really shouldn’t do alone.
Roofing Repairs
Climbing up on the roof seems so easy until you’re balancing on shingles with a dangerous nail gun in hand, worrying about falling. So, so many people end up in the ER from falling off a roof, so try not to be one of them. And bear in mind a professional will have all the safety gear and may be able to finish the job faster than you ever could.
Electrical Rewiring
Messing with your home’s wiring isn’t just an electrocution risk, it’s a fire hazard as well. Many DIYers underestimate how quickly things can go wrong when wires are crossed or left loose. One spark behind a wall could smolder unnoticed for hours… and then suddenly you have no house at all.
Tree Cutting
That big tree limb hanging over your shed is so tempting… you just want to whack it with a chainsaw. But unfortunately, cutting trees isn’t easy. Branches fall faster and heavier than you think, and they rarely land where you expect. This is another way people end up at the ER.
Gas Line Work
Gas isn’t something you want to mess around with. One wrong move while “fixing” a line could cause leaks you don’t even notice until there’s a strong smell - or worse, an explosion. If you suspect a problem with gas lines, call the utility company or a licensed plumber right away.
Major Plumbing Repairs
Replacing sewer lines and the like can turn ugly fast. Water under pressure can burst out unexpectedly, flooding basements and ruining drywall. And don’t forget - you’re also dealing with bacteria-laden waste pipes. Are you wearing PPE? If not, it’s time to put down the tools and call someone.
Demolition Projects
Smashing down walls sounds kinda fun, but behind those walls are wires, pipes, and sometimes even cancer-causing asbestos. One bad swing could send you to the ER or flood your living room. And then there’s the small matter that some walls keep your house standing - take out the wrong one, and you’ll regret it fast.
Installing Skylights
Cutting into your roof to add natural light seems like a great idea, but it’s difficult and involves being up uncomfortably high. Falls are the obvious danger, but you’ve also got the leaks and structural issues that pop up when skylights aren’t installed properly.
Chimney Cleaning
In the Victorian era, young children were trained to climb chimneys and clean them and it went about as well as you’d expect. In our more enlightened age, we know how dangerous chimney cleaning is. Don’t try it yourself, call a professional who will sort it out for you.
Window Replacement on Upper Floors
Swapping out windows on a ground floor isn’t too scary. But when you’re three stories up, juggling heavy panes of glass, one slip could mean broken windows and broken bones. Do you have scaffolding? No? Call a pro who will have some.
Pool Repairs
Draining and patching a pool might sound straightforward, but working with the chemicals and electrical systems involved can be a nightmare. Mix chlorine wrong, and you’re dealing with toxic fumes. Or if you mess up the wiring for the pump, you could easily get electrocuted. It’s super dangerous.
Knocking Down Load-Bearing Walls
Remember what we said about walls? Removing a load-bearing wall without proper supports is a disaster waiting to happen. The whole structure relies on that wall, and without it, ceilings can sag or even collapse – on you or anyone else who happens to be in the house.
Tiling Floors
Cutting tiles with wet saws seems easy, but those blades can cause serious injuries in a split second. Add sharp shards of ceramic flying everywhere, and you’re looking at deep cuts or eye injuries if you’re not protected. Kneeling for hours without proper gear can also wreck your knees.
Attic Insulation With Fiberglass
Rolling out insulation seems like a quick job until you start coughing and itching from fiberglass particles. Without goggles, protective clothing, and especially a mask, you risk breathing those fibers straight into your lungs. And in older homes, insulation might even contain the aforementioned cancer-causing asbestos.
Staircase Repairs
Replacing steps or railings seems like a small project, but stairs are one of the most common places for falls in the home. One loose railing and you’re down. Call a professional carpenter – or go and live in a bungalow.
Pest Control With Chemicals
Buying strong pesticides at the hardware store might feel like taking matters into your own hands, but those chemicals are no joke. Misuse can cause burns, respiratory problems, or even long-term health issues. Plus, pests often just return if treatments aren’t applied correctly.
Installing Heavy Light Fixtures
Maybe you’ve always wanted a chandelier? Might be worth spending a little extra money on getting someone to install it for you, though. Lifting heavy fixtures overhead while messing with wiring is tricky and dangerous. What if you drop it?
Removing Old Decks
Ripping apart an old deck is more dangerous than it looks. Rotten wood collapses underfoot, nails stick out everywhere, and boards can splinter badly. Add in the chance of falling from height if you’re working on a raised deck, and it’s a real hazard.
Basement Waterproofing
Digging trenches or applying sealants to keep your basement dry isn’t just exhausting - it can be unsafe. Digging can really hurt your back, and handling harsh chemicals without ventilation can lead to dizziness or burns. Please call a pro instead of risking your health.
Removing Popcorn Ceilings
Scraping that popcorn off seems simple and satisfying, but older popcorn ceilings often contain asbestos. Disturbing it releases harmful fibers into the air that you can’t see or smell. And even if it’s asbestos-free, scraping overhead can strain your neck and back.
Garage Door Spring Repairs
Garage door springs are tightly wound and under extreme tension. One slip while adjusting or removing them, and they can snap back with enough force to cause severe injuries… or even fatalities. Don’t try to do this one yourself whatever you do, just call someone.
Installing New Gutters
Climbing up a ladder with long sections of guttering is already a balancing act. Add in power tools and you’re asking for trouble. There are so many ways you can mess this up and injure yourself, so please contact a professional before you try anything.
Working on Septic Systems
Messing around with your septic tank isn’t just gross - it’s downright dangerous. Toxic gases like methane can knock you out in seconds if you’re not properly ventilated. Septic work is definitely one of those jobs better left to specialists with the right gear and safety training.
Concrete Pouring
Mixing and pouring concrete might seem like it’s an easier job than some of the others on this list, but it can go sideways quickly. Wet concrete can cause chemical burns if it sits on your skin too long, and heavy loads can strain your back. On top of that, once concrete starts setting, you don’t have much time to fix mistakes.
Installing Carpet on Stairs
Installing carpet on stairs, what could go wrong? Well, quite a lot actually. Misjudge the tension, and you’ll end up with loose spots that become major tripping hazards. Sharp carpet tools can also cause nasty cuts if you’re not careful.
Bricklaying
Building a wall or firepit with bricks looks like a fun weekend project, but those things are heavy, and lifting them repeatedly can injure your back fast. Then you’ve got the sharp edges and the risk of collapse if the structure isn’t sound.
Siding Installation
Putting up siding isn’t just tedious - it can be dangerous. You’re usually up on ladders, handling long panels that can catch the wind like sails. A gust at the wrong time, and down you go. And that’s not even mentioning the nail guns, which are in a whole dangerous category of their own.
Removing Mold
Many people get the idea to remove mold with bleach, but they’re wrong. Disturbing large patches can release spores into the air, which can trigger serious respiratory issues. Some molds, like black mold, are especially toxic. Don’t touch the mold in your house – call a specialist.
Installing Solar Panels
DIY solar kits are popular, but installing panels usually means climbing on the roof with heavy equipment and electrical wiring. That’s a mix of fall hazards and electrocution risks. With the amount of money involved here, it would really be better to call an installer.
Pressure Washing
Some people have gotten famous off pressure washing videos on YouTube, but the task isn’t as easy as they make it look. After all, pressure washers are powerful enough to strip paint… and skin. Using one on a ladder is especially risky, because the recoil can throw you off balance.
Installing a Fireplace
If you’ve always dreamed of a fireplace, you can dream of hiring a workman to install it for you too. You should never mess around with anything that involves fire unless you’ve undergone training, but so many people go ahead anyway.
Hanging Drywall Up High
Drywall sheets are big, heavy, and awkward to lift overhead. Trying to balance one while screwing it in can strain your back, shoulders, and neck - or cause it to drop right on your head. Professionals work in teams to make the job safer.
Foundation Repairs
Small cracks might look like an easy fix, but serious foundation work is dangerous. It often involves digging deep around your home, risking cave-ins, and handling heavy materials. This is just not a job you can do solo, sorry.
Installing a New Water Heater
Water heaters might not look threatening, but they’re full of hot water under high pressure – a recipe for disaster should something go wrong. A bad installation can lead to leaks, burns, or even explosions if safety valves aren’t connected correctly.
Building a Second Story
Okay, let’s be blunt here: building a whole second story on your house does not count as a “DIY project”. You can’t do it on your own, not without risking injury and disaster, and what you need to do is put your pride aside and hire some builders.
