When You Always Need to Call an Electrician for Home Improvement Work

It's not unusual for homeowners to want to tackle their own home repair and improvement work in order to save as much money as possible and get the job done as quickly as possible. While some jobs can be done on your own, there are others that are always best left to a professional, and electrical work usually falls under that category. Note when you always want to call an electrician for home improvement work and why.

1. When wiring is outside

Don't assume you can just bury cables or wires that you might be running to the garage or a shed; you need to ensure you use the right type of wiring that is meant for outdoor use and also that it won't be too close to plumbing pipes. If there is a leak in those pipes, this might damage the wiring or increase the risk of electrical shock to anyone who makes repairs. Wiring that is connected to the home's exterior also needs to be connected with special pieces that keep it in place even in inclement weather. Because of these many details for handling outside wiring, it can be good to have a professional electrician handle this type of job.

2. Thermostat wiring

If you were to somehow incorrectly install thermostat wiring, this could cause damage to your heating and cooling systems. The thermostat may cause it to cycle on and off more than it should and, in turn, the motors and other parts suffer extensive wear and tear. The thermostat may also allow those pieces to run longer than they should so that heat might build up and the parts burn out. In any case, thermostat wiring is best left to a professional so that you don't damage your expensive furnace or air conditioner.

3. When adding insulation over wiring

If you'll be adding wiring behind walls or in another area where you want to also add insulation, it's best to have a professional manage this for you. Putting insulation over wiring that is not properly installed and covered can mean allowing that insulation to singe right to the wiring itself, and you may increase the risk of an electrical fire. If there is ever a short or frayed wire, you also want to ensure it won't come into contact with the insulation and cause a fire. Let an electrical contractor choose the right type of insulated wiring and the way to install it so you know this job is done safely and properly.