If you own a home, then we don’t need to tell you how rewarding it can be to work on it yourself. As long as you’ve got extra time on your hands, you can save a bit of money by completing a project on your own.
Or can you? The dangers of DIY often outweigh the benefits, at least when it comes to certain projects.
There’s a big difference between a DIY paint job and a DIY demolition project. The first is safe, easy to learn, and can be fixed if you make mistakes. The other may threaten the structure of your home, put your family at risk of safety hazards, and requires years of experience to perform properly.
It might sound fun to swing a sledgehammer around and take down walls, but it’s not worth the danger. Here’s why you should always call a professional contractor for residential demolition work:
Structures Could Collapse
How do houses stay upright for dozens, sometimes hundreds of years?
A big part of it is how the weight of the structure is supported. That’s, in part, due to load-bearing walls, which play an integral role in holding up your home. Improper demolition of a load-bearing wall could cause a roof collapse. The floor on the second-story might start to slope without the proper support.
A demolition contractor will make a careful assessment of your home’s structure before demolishing any walls. If they need to remove one that’s load-bearing, they’ll reinforce your home with the right supports first.
People May Be Injured
When you start working, you know to be careful. But as the day goes on, you might begin to feel exhausted, becoming more clumsy as you work. Demolition work involves the use of heavy-duty equipment and can cause serious injuries.
If you don’t have the proper protective equipment, you could be exposed to harmful substances during demolition. The dust that arises from drywall can irritate the eyes, lungs, and throat. Materials that contain lead paint or asbestos can contaminate the indoor air, and be lethal.
You Could Cause Unintentional Damage
Most homeowners are seeking selective demolition, in which a portion of the home is demolished rather than the entire building. They might want to rip out the floors and tear down a half-wall in their kitchen, but leave the dining room intact.
Certain walls of your home may contain plumbing pipes or electrical wiring. Tearing them down without preparation can cause major damage to these utility systems.
It’s easy to damage other areas if you don’t know what you’re doing. DIY demolition can definitely create more work for yourself than you’d originally planned.
When it comes to renovating your home, there are a lot of projects that you can do yourself—but demolition shouldn’t be one of them. It can end up costing you a lot more time, money, and stress than you’d originally planned for.
At Bella Contracting, we’ve been in the demolition business for over 20 years. We know how to complete jobs safely and responsibly. Need a bathroom demolition in new jersey?
Protect your family and your belongings by contacting Bella Contracting for building demolition in New Jersey.
