Pro Contractors Never Do These 9 Things at Home
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1 hours
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- Beginner
All homeowners deal with the ongoing “to do” list. Some things get done and others don’t and most of us work from some form of priority list. In reality, there’s just no way to keep up with everything all the time. So when deciding what to focus on, think like a professional contractor. In their profession, they see it all, including those things that contribute to big problems when they could otherwise be avoided. Here are a few things professional contractors avoid in their own home.
1. Flush the Wrong Things
More specifically, professional plumbers know that anything other than human waste and toilet paper has the potential to cause big problems in the plumbing system. Toss hygiene products, face wipes, baby wipes, ear swabs and other bathroom products into the garbage can instead.
2. Use Drain Cleaners
When it comes time to call a plumber, you won’t see them toting in a jug of Drano. That’s because they know drain cleaners are only mildly effective. Moreover, they are toxic to water systems. Instead of turning to chemicals, rely on a drain snake for most applications.
3. Take the Phrase “Garbage Disposal” Literally
Garbage disposals offer a convenient way to rinse dishes without having to constantly clean out scraps from the sink catch. But professionals know there are many foods that are problematic, including egg shells, coffee grounds, and grease. Onion skins and meat also promote issues. Allow your garbage disposal to do its job most efficiently by limiting the ‘garbage’ that goes down the drain.
4. Put off Maintenance
By the time a professional enters your home, they are able to build a mental maintenance record from what they see. They see first hand what skipping out on regularly-scheduled home care can have. Plan to dedicate a day or two each season changing filters, emptying gutters, checking up on appliances, and evaluating caulked, painted and stained surfaces.
5. Take Electrical Shortcuts
The pros know the most dangerous choices homeowners make so they avoid them in their own homes. They never pin or tape a circuit breaker in the ‘on’ position. They are careful not to overload outlets. And they don’t rely on extension cords as a long-term power source.
6. Skimp on Tools
When you’re a pro, you might be able to safely MacGyver a replacement tool when the situation calls for it. In general, though, contractors invest in the proper tools for the job. Not only does it make the task easier, but safer too. If you need a tool you don’t plan to use very often, borrow from a friend or rent it.
7. Overlook HVAC
Your furnace is a central component for the comfort of your home. It’s one of the most expensive systems to replace, but is relatively inexpensive to maintain. The primary step you can take to ensure a long and healthy life for your furnace is to change the filter every one to three months. Professional contractors can list the reasons why, but basically a dirty filter causes your furnace to work harder, increases electricity bills, and circulates dirty air for your family to breathe.
8. Abuse Appliances
The washing machine, clothes dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, air conditioning unit, and other appliances work hard in any home. Although they don’t require a lot of maintenance, professional contractors make sure to clean refrigerator coils, disconnect and clean out the dryer hose, and regularly inspect and tune up the furnace. In addition, they know to not overload the washing machine and to leave vents uncovered for airflow inside and outside the fridge.
9. Ignore Nature’s Essential Element
Water is the key to all life on our planet, yet it can be a detriment to any home. Professional contractors pay attention when water drips—from anywhere. They never ignore a dripping faucet, pipe under the sink, or hoses leading from the washing machine, dishwasher, or refrigerator.
Outside and around the home water can cause big issues too. During any storm, watch for water runoff. Make sure it is diverted away from the foundation of the home. Also regularly clean out gutters and drains—both attached to the house and throughout the property.
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![Dawn Hammon]()
Dawn Hammon has thrived in freelance writing and editor roles for nearly a decade. She has lived, worked, and attended school in Oregon for many years. Dawn currently spends her days convincing her children she is still smarter than them while creating new experiences with her husband of 24 years.  Her multiple interests have led her to frequently undergo home improvement projects. She enjoys sharing the hard-earned knowledge that comes with it with the audience of DoItYourself.com. Dawn and her sister make up a power-tool loving duo that teaches classes to local women with the goal of empowering them to tackle their fears and become comfortable with power tools. Tapping into her enthusiasm for saving money and devotion to sustainable practices, Dawn has recently launched a passion project aimed at connecting eco-friendly products and socially-responsible companies with consumers interested in making conscientious purchases, better informing themselves about products on the market, and taking a stand in favor of helping to save the planet. When she is not providing stellar online content for local, national, and international businesses or trolling the internet for organic cotton clothing, you might find her backpacking nearby hills and valleys, traveling to remote parts of the globe, or expanding her vocabulary in a competitive game of Scrabble. Dawn holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, which these days she mostly uses to provide therapy for her kids and spouse. Most recently, I worked for a small local professional organizing and estate sale company for four years where I learned a ton about organizing and/or disposing of just about anything. She was raised in a tool-oriented, hands-on, DIY family. Her dad worked in the floor covering business and owned local floor covering businesses, so of course selling floor covering was one of her first jobs. Her brother was a contractor for about 30 years and site supervisor for Habitat for Humanity. I worked with him often, building decks, painting houses, framing in buildings, etc. With her sister, she holds power tool classes to empower women who are scared or have never used them. Not quite homesteaders, she did grow up with a farm, tractors, motorcycles, expansive gardens, hay fields, barns, and lots of repairs to do. Plus she and her family preserved foods, raised cattle and pigs, chopped and hauled firewood, and performed regular maintenance on two households, outbuildings, fencing, etc. As an adult, she has owned two houses. The first one she personally ripped out a galley kitchen and opened it up to the living area, plus updated every door, floor covering, and piece of trim in the place. In her current home, she's tackled everything from installing real hardwood flooring to revamping the landscape.
