u/JustAnswerOfficial

Hi r/IAmA, 

I’m Todd Tripp, a retired general contractor with over 40 years of experience in home construction, repair, and remodeling. 

Over the course of my career, I’ve worked as a builder, plumber, and electrician—handling everything from small home fixes to full renovations. These days, I help homeowners troubleshoot problems and think through repairs as a Home Improvement Expert on JustAnswer. 

I’ve seen just about everything go wrong in a house—from small issues that are easy to fix, to costly mistakes that could’ve been avoided with the right guidance. 

I’m here to answer your questions about: 

• Common home repair and renovation mistakes  
• What’s safe to DIY vs when to call a professional  
• Plumbing, electrical, and general home issues  
• How to approach problems before they get expensive

  

I’ll be answering questions starting at 1pm - 2:30pm ET today. 

A few quick notes: 

• I can’t walk you through complex or dangerous repairs step-by-step  
• I won’t be able to assess specific projects in detail  
• Everything here is general advice based on experience

 

Proof: https://imgur.com/a/ctk90ef 

About this AMA:  
We've invited independent Experts who use the JustAnswer platform to share insights in this open Q&A. These Experts work independently - they are not employees or spokespersons of JustAnswer - and their opinions are their own. 

https://preview.redd.it/vddddzgd0x0h1.jpg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4fe4011ac7b431913d1459a77a604348901d2c3d

>That’s all the time we have for today. Thank you all for the great questions! > >A big thank you to Todd Tripp, retired general contractor and JustAnswer Home Improvement Expert, for sharing his knowledge and helping break down common home repair issues, DIY decisions, and ways to avoid costly mistakes. > >The thread will remain open for anyone who wants to continue reading through the answers shared. > >Thanks to the r/IAmA community for participating! > >Nat from JustAnswer

Hi r/IAmA, 

I’m Todd Tripp, a retired general contractor with over 40 years of experience in home construction, repair, and remodeling. 

Over the course of my career, I’ve worked as a builder, plumber, and electrician—handling everything from small home fixes to full renovations. These days, I help homeowners troubleshoot problems and think through repairs as a Home Improvement Expert on JustAnswer. 

I’ve seen just about everything go wrong in a house—from small issues that are easy to fix, to costly mistakes that could’ve been avoided with the right guidance. 

I’m here to answer your questions about: 

• Common home repair and renovation mistakes  
• What’s safe to DIY vs when to call a professional  
• Plumbing, electrical, and general home issues  
• How to approach problems before they get expensive

  

I’ll be answering questions starting at 1pm - 2:30pm ET today. 

A few quick notes: 

• I can’t walk you through complex or dangerous repairs step-by-step  
• I won’t be able to assess specific projects in detail  
• Everything here is general advice based on experience

 

Proof: https://imgur.com/a/ctk90ef 

About this AMA:  
We've invited independent Experts who use the JustAnswer platform to share insights in this open Q&A. These Experts work independently - they are not employees or spokespersons of JustAnswer - and their opinions are their own. 

https://preview.redd.it/nwal6aniyw0h1.jpg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b2e8efbf9a396d86a5dddad15d3ba4f0c72087ee