The Third Rail of DIY

Almost every article written on home improvement ends up with the advice to hire a professional to do the job correctly or face dire consequences.

My question is: Why is it necessary to write the article in the first place if someone else is going to do the job? Many tasks can be a “Do It Yourself” or DIY project even for those who don’t know the difference between a box wrench and an adjustable wrench.

Fixing a leaky faucet is easy if you remember to turn off the water before starting. People paint, build bookcases, and some even change the oil in their car if they are too cheap to go to a quick-oil-change place. The term “third-rail issue” applies to a controversial subject that no politician will “touch” lest they face political damage. In the realm of DIY, that third-rail issue is HVAC but there are a few things that can be done without the help of a qualified HVAC professional. Changing filters is one task, keeping leaves and debris away from the outdoor condenser unit is another. Gentle rinsing of the condenser fins will improve your HVAC performance and unplugging a condenser drain line are tasks that even a mechanical klutz can perform. The problem is that once some people get a tool in their hands and realize that they can save money with a DIY HVAC repair, the urge to start attacking hose clamps, screws, nuts, and bolts becomes too great to resist. The result is those dire consequences mentioned earlier. This article will, of course, conclude by advising homeowners to let a professional HVAC technician make any repairs. Any DIY effort without the correct tools may end up costing you dearly.

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