DIY renos can be illegal and dangerous

August 27, 2018

Home renovation blogger Bob Weinstein warned in a recent missive that do-it-yourself (DIY) home renovations could be illegal, even dangerous.
Many homeowners don’t think twice about knocking down walls to create an open floor plan, he noted. But homeowners fail to consider that removing an unwanted wall could jeopardize the integrity of a home’s structure. The repercussions could be devastating and dangerous.
The web site Doityourself.com, also points out that some actions can be illegal.
Removing old insulation or aging drywall, for example, could mean breaking laws concerning the disposal of asbestos. Potential health problems from asbestos exposure include scarring of the lungs and even lung cancer, according to the Government of Canada.
Repairing a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can also contravene local regulations. Most provinces require that homeowners hire licensed professionals to perform maintenance checks on air conditioning and home heating systems. This is to prevent dizziness, asphyxia and other respiratory problems that might be triggered by Freon leaks, which are associated with HVAC issues.
For most homeowners, hiring a professional contractor is not only a smart move—it could be the safest decision.