Canadian residents are at risk of injuries while doing jobs in their yard — and now an expert is naming the jobs you should never tackle yourself.
From tree surgery to laying patio stones, tasks that need to be completed in our outdoor spaces might seem straightforward and risk-free. However, an expert from Homestars.com, the reliable way to hire a pro, is highlighting the jobs that we shouldn’t tackle ourselves. Not only are they difficult jobs to do well, but they also pose a risk of injury should it all go wrong.
Between 2018 and 2019, over 225,000 Canadians were hospitalized for home-related injuries, some of which may have been caused by yard-related items, such as chainsaws. While sometimes these injuries occur due to bad luck, others are down to a lack of training needed to ensure a job is done correctly and safely.
Colleen McGrory, from Homestars.com, says while some jobs are fine to DIY in your yard, others should always be done by a pro.
“Most of us are capable of mowing a lawn or pruning plants, but certain yard jobs require a knowledgeable and experienced pair of hands to get it right. Doing jobs in your yard by yourself can often be a false economy at best, with jobs needing correcting or redoing when they’re not good enough. But at its worst, badly done DIY can result in injury to you or anyone who uses your yard.
“For any jobs that require specialist work, always call a professional for advice at the very least. It will probably save you time and money in the long run, as well as give you a beautiful — and safe! — yard.”
Here are the garden jobs you should never attempt yourself:
Laying patio slabs
Laying slabs for your patio may seem easy, but even just one incorrectly laid slab can lead to several problems down the line. From small but irritating issues such as weed growth, to uneven edges causing a trip hazard for you and your visitors, this job is best left to experts. Badly laid slabs will cause your patio to shift over time, and will almost certainly need to be redone; it’s not only a safety issue, but a false economy too.
Pruning trees
Now that winter is over, your trees will need some attention to remove dead branches and foliage, ensuring they start to grow healthily in time for summer. While this job may seem straightforward, it’s actually one that requires a great deal of skill and experience. Over-pruning your trees can stress them and put them at risk of disease and pest infestation, while cutting too close to the trunk or main branch will leave your tree exposed to potential decay. You will also be liable for associated costs if any stray branch causes damage to someone else’s home or garden; plus, you likely will not be covered by your home insurance.
Removing a tree stump
Digging out and removing a tree stump is physically demanding and,without the necessary specialist equipment, it could take days of your time. Removal of a tree stump could easily lead to injury due to the back-breaking nature of the work — so give yourself a break and hire a professional.
Removing a tree
In some areas, there are restrictions when it comes to removing a tree, meaning that you will require a permit to cut one down in your yard. There have been efforts by authorities across the country to ensure that more trees are planted, and you may be required to give a reason as to why you wish to remove a tree. Felling one without permission could result in a significant fine. Beyond this, cutting down trees really can be a dangerous job and failure to do it properly could cause severe injury or even death.
Soaking and drainage
If your garden suffered from flooding during this long and wet winter, or if you’re planning on laying a patio, you might require drainage work in your garden. It is undoubtedly a specialist job, as doing it wrong could cause damage to your neighbour’s garden, and most cities, such as Toronto and Surrey, have laws that require yards to be graded and have suitable ground cover to direct water flow away from all buildings. Failure to comply with these laws may result in a fine or court appearance. “French drains” (inserting a pipe underground to help excess water divert away from your home and into the street, a ditch or a sewer) are a popular choice, but require a great deal of expertise.
Fencing
Spring is a great time to repair and treat your fence after the rigours of winter. While it is possible to erect your own fencing, there are several reasons why it’s a bad idea. Firstly, certain heights of fencing can require planning permission, and you could be forced to take it down should you fall foul of this rule. Secondly, if you place the posts too far apart or they aren’t secure, it’s likely that the fence will not be sturdy enough to withstand extreme weather, which presents a danger to guests, children and pets. You may have to replace or repair it again very quickly, costing more time and money.
Creating a pond
While digging a pond might seem like simple — but hard — work, there’s a lot to consider. Your pond should be in some level of shade to reduce algae levels, and be on a flat, level ground. You may also need help from an electrician if your pond needs a pump or filter, since water and electricity do not mix! Finally, ponds can present a big danger to guests. A professional can provide advice on sensible positioning and safety measures that can be taken.
Cutting a hedge
In most cities, such as Toronto, there are restrictions over how much of your hedge you can trim if it sits on the property line. As well as this problem, the tools required to trim a hedge can easily cause injuries in the wrong hands. Hedge trimmers and secateurs are two of the tools most likely to cause garden-related injuries. Also, working on large hedges will require ladders to do a thorough job, and ladders plus power tools are a dangerous combination without a professional.
