When You Shouldn't Do Electrical Repairs Yourself

Many homeowners are perfectly capable of doing certain types of electrical work in their own home, but they should always be aware of their limitations. 

Sometimes it is best to leave the situation up to a professional electrician.

Installing dimmer switches and replacing an old ceiling light with a new ceiling fan are simple enough projects that someone without years of experience should be able to pull off safely. However, when it comes to extending existing electrical circuits or adding new ones, an expert electrician is almost always needed. If not the homeowner could find themselves in either one of two positions: dying from electrical shock or dying from fire. 

As a safety reminder: whenever you do attempt a do it yourself electrical project, always remember to turn off the electricity. Also, if you feel in the slightest that the project is over your head, call an electrician for help. It is always better to be safe than sorry in this situation. 

 Read for More Information:

• How to Extinguish an Electrical Fire
• How to Safely Use an Electric Generator
• Electrical Safety Tips

Why Drain Cleaners Are Bad for Your Plumbing

Regularly cleaning your pipes is important to keep them from backflowing. Many people tend to turn to drain-cleaning products that line the shelves of home cleaning aisles in stores. However, most of these products can actually cause more harm to your plumbing than good.

Most drain-cleaning products contain acid, which can eat away at the pipes and cause rust. Some of the more popular known brands do not even completely clean the pipes. Instead, the only partially dissolve the clog and push the rest down. This can lead to a bigger backup in the future.

An alternative to using a drain-cleaning product is to mix one-part baking soda and three-parts boiling water. Pour this down the drain regularly to break up debris, grease, and grime.

Another helpful suggestion is to run a lot of water whenever turning on the garbage disposal or pouring anything down the drain. Most of the time, this is a no-no, but in cases like this or when brushing teeth it is a good idea to help push everything through the pipes.

Resources: Angie's List, Ben Franklin Plumber

Read for More Information:

• Reasons Why Your Plumbing Is Noisy
• Plumbing Tips to Prevent Clogged Drains
• When to Hire a Professional Plumber