DI-WHY? 5 Home DIY Fails That Scream "Call a Pro"
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If you're a homeowner, you might be familiar with the sinking feeling that comes with uncovering what was obviously a subpar DIY home "improvement" that make you wonder, "Why on earth would the previous owner do this?" If you're renting, you may be in awe of 'fixes' jokingly referred to as 'landlord specials.' In one of my rentals, I was shocked to discover a rusty, warped baking tray (with no drain connections) being used as a drip pan for the air conditioning unit. Of course, I only happened upon this gem this once water leaked from the attic!
Naturally, we want to feel good about our home, and do whatever it takes to make it look its best, whether that involves cosmetic touch-ups, replacing a few things here and there, or full-scale renovations. One of the best parts about home ownership is the freedom to decorate, renovate, and do what you want with your property. But while it's tempting to save a few bucks by tackling home projects yourself (especially if you've watched enough home improvement shows to make you feel like a contractor by now), DIYing everything is not the answer. Attempting certain projects without the necessary skill and knowledge can cause more work, and headaches down the line. Even worse, your poor attempts at a home makeover could even decrease property value. Sure, some people have the expertise to complete their own tile-work and master more complicated installations, but the rest of us need to draw the line somewhere!
And we're here to tell you exactly where that line is, by showing you where others have tried—and failed. Take a look at some of these outrageous DIY bloopers, which may inspire you to call a contractor for that next big home improvement idea.
Epoxy Chipboard Flooring
This video, shared by @nozim3030 on Tiktok, shows a peculiar choice of flooring. These homeowners decided to cover their floors with chipboard, which is known to warp, swell, and develop squeakiness that worsens over time. As if the chipboard wasn’t shocking enough, they poured epoxy over it, which perhaps gives it more durability but looks very questionable! There are far better budget flooring options available that will last much longer. For the future homeowners' sake, I hope that it’s not too much of a pain to rip this out!
Shockingly Steep Stairs
This photo, shared by @SilentWalrus92 on Reddit, shows alarmingly steep stairs descending into the basement of his 90-year-old father's home. That's right, a 90-year-old is expected to scale these stairs. As if most basements weren’t scary enough! One commenter referred to the staircase as a "serrated ramp," and another stated, 'I see nothing wrong with this based on the assumption that your dad is a mountain goat or sheep.' In all seriousness, if the steps are this steep, perhaps just install a ladder instead. Or maybe Silent Walrus plans to rappel down into the basement each year when his dad needs him to pull out the holiday decor.
Epoxy Nightmare
This photo, posted by @trinhead on Reddit, is a crazy example of someone going over the top with contact paper and epoxy. The poster rented this home and claims when she moved in, she found at least two layers of different peel-and-stick contact paper on this kitchen table, which has been covered with a lumpy, uncured 'marble-effect' epoxy and more peel-and-stick paper. Due to the weight of the table, the poster says it's now impossible to move it out of the house. A commenter suggested getting a Sawzall reciprocating saw and cutting the monster into "manageable chunks." While this is overwhelmingly terrible, at least it's not permanent—technically speaking anyway!
DIY Sink Cutout
This alarming photo posted by @trady on Instagram showcases a hilariously lousy attempt at DIYing a countertop cutout for a kitchen sink. The haphazard cuts and sharp angles aren't just aesthetically unpleasing, but the jagged edges look like an injury waiting to happen. The lesson: Countertops are tricky to get right—and cutting a hole in one is definitely not a good idea for the inexperienced!
Reinforced Ceiling Fan
Shared by @inspectorben on Instagram, this hazardous fan seems to be affixed to the ceiling with little more than hopes and dreams. The flat metal bars you see are normally used to install heaters, panels and ductwork, not to replace a ceiling fan box! One can only imagine the sound it makes when turned on. Scary!
If any of these DIY fails prompted you to rethink an ambitious DIY project, consider reaching out to professional contractors on Thumbtack or TaskRabbit! And to the original posters who shared their fails so that others won't have to, we thank you for your service.
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