Home maintenance that requires a different approach

The nature of home improvements change over time. Not everything today should be done like it was a few decades ago, and current property owners should take a new approach to a number of simple tasks.

The reason why? Preconceived notions are different, and what many people assumed was the "right way" to do things might not be true anymore. Instead, these tasks could result in damage to a house or a long list of headaches and repair bills.

Regardless of which maintenance project homeowners choose to undertake, a property inspection should be completed in order to make sure all renovations have been completed correctly.

Chores that should be done differently

Just because parents did things one way doesn't mean that is the only choice for homeowners, according to MSN Real Estate. Today's experts have developed new and unique opinions on several common tasks, based off of more research and information.

Therefore, residents should take a new approach to these household chores. For example, many people believe that sealing a driveway with a coal-tar based sealant is the right choice. On the contrary, it could be detrimental to one's health and the environment, the news source noted. Even some governments, like Washington, D.C., and Austin, Texas, have banned it. Reliable solutions do exist, however, such as an asphalt-emulsion based sealant. Also, homeowners could choose to not coat their driveways at all.

In addition, many people have problems with their floors. While replacing these elements is often desired, some safety precautions should be taken first before a homeowner decides to do it themselves.

"I removed an old floor with my parents years ago, and as we peeled it up, we didn't consider any safety issues," Paul Ryan, a home improvement expert, told the news source. "Turns out the floor [contained] asbestos. They stopped making asbestos after 1986, but a lot of people don't realize that it exists in everyday products like siding, popcorn ceilings and flooring."

Ryan explained to MSN Real Estate that a viable alternative would be to have certain areas tested in advance to a project.

Better yet, the task could be completed by professionals. A home inspection could identify improvements that are worthwhile, or ones that should be left alone.

When to call the professionals

In many cases, a property inspection can save homeowners a lot of money. These professionals could find numerous problems, and recommend useful solutions and tips for upgrading and keeping a home safe. Also, residents shouldn't tackle every project on their own.

For instance, electrical work can prove to be more of a headache than some people may think. According to CR Property Group, electrical improvements should be a job for professionals. Amateurs could do a lot of damage, like create fire hazards, damage equipment and even hurt themselves. 

Moreover, repairing the roof is another task do-it-yourselfers should avoid, the news source noted. While a home inspection professional can spot damage, a roofing expert should be called to make those repairs. Plenty of personal safety hazards are in place while on top of a house, and an improper fix could result in water damage or additional problems in other areas. Leaks could get into the attic and wreak havoc on that part of the home as well as on other rooms.

Other aspects that are better left to the professionals are appliances and gas furnaces, CR Property Group explained. This is because natural gas leaks can be a significant safety concern, so repairs shouldn't be attempted by homeowners. Instead, a professional can handle those jobs.

Regardless of the type of home maintenance, a property inspection should be completed. This way, residents will know if there are any problems, or if all repairs and upgrades were completed successfully.