Do it yourself
From ArticleWorld
Do It Yourself or DIY is the term used for the tradition of carrying out repairs or decorations etc that are needed in and around the house by oneself, without taking qualified outside help. This idea is popular because it is considered cheaper than using the services of a professional.
The most common areas in which this idea is used is in home improvement, repairs and redecorating and in the repair and maintenance of autos.
History
To begin with it was all do it yourself. The people in villages grew their own food, built their own houses, and wore clothes that were woven and stitched at home and even used tools that they had fashioned themselves. Then slowly but surely skill developed, as did specialization and expertise and people began following certain trade at which they became so proficient that their services were required for professional work. Even now people in small towns and rural areas try to do most of the small and big things around the house themselves, and thus rely heavily on the neighborhood hardware store. In cities too, people prefer to buy do it yourself kits and roll up their sleeves and pitch right in. Interestingly, the modern do it yourself age is a reincarnation of the traditional DIY era.
DIY in USA
In recent years, do it yourself has grown in America. Homeowners typically want to spend their weekends pottering about their homes looking for things to repair and improve, so much so that it has become a past time and has the double advantage of keeping expenses down while allowing homeowners to take pride in work done by their own hands.
What not to DIY
Not all house work is DIY. Unless one is highly skilled do-it-yourselfer they should avoid taking on jobs that may be dangerous and difficult. Some jobs simply are not worth the risk. For example:
- Extensive electrical work;
- Plumbing that involves crawling under the house;
- Roofing work on a steeply-pitched or high roof; and
- Any other task that they are not confident about.