DIY Repairs Homeowners Should Know

When it comes to house maintenance, we’re preparing you for a lifetime of independence. Make the most of your DIY skills and solve the following common household issues. But before you do that, take a deep breath. We’re going to let you off the hook a little bit. Professionals have their time and place in the world. If your home issues fall into one of these categories, it’s time to call!

When It’s Not a Good Idea For Home DIY Repairs

While most minor tasks are manageable on your own, you should not attempt to conduct DIY repairs on everything. If the consequences could result in additional damage, an enormously higher expense, or you could seriously injure yourself or the house, it’s best to leave the repair to a professional. You should also consider whether learning something new is worth your time versus paying for the services of someone who already understands how to do proper and safe repairs for:

• Rewiring the electrical system
• Removal of Asbestos
• Getting rid of mold
• Large-scale plumbing
• Roofing
• Modifications or structural adjustments
• Infestation with pests
• Damage caused by water

Why Should You Plan for Home DIY Repairs?

Always good to know how – Any talent you learn on your own is worthwhile and will most likely save you money. There’s also a significant likelihood that the skills needed to care for a house will be transferable to other residences in the future, whether you own or rent.

Great way to save money – The cost of hiring handymen and other professionals is high. The good ones are aware of their worth and expect their clients to value their knowledge and experience. After all, you’re paying for years of training, not simply an hour to replace an overhead fan.

This cost strengthens your case for determining whether you can solve the problem on your own. In most cases, you’ll simply have to pay for the materials required to fix the problem. DIY repairs are enticing since your work is technically free. These are tasks that many homeowners and renters deal with on a daily basis. Any gaps in your home maintenance repertoire should be filled with a few minutes of reading or viewing a video.

DIY Repairs – Turn off the main water supply

The main water valve is in charge of your complete home’s water supply. While it isn’t essential to adjust for an overflowing toilet (simply turn the valve right behind the toilet), it is necessary in the event of an emergency. If you have a burst pipe, a leak, or need to make a plumbing repair, you may need to turn off all water. Start looking for your primary water meter outside. An outside wall could be used to mount an on/off switch. Check the basement, garage, and potentially a utility room or closet as well.

DIY Repair – Unclog A Drain Or Sink

I bet you’ve never considered using a plunger in a situation other than the bathroom! I wouldn’t recommend using the same one for unmentionable events in the bathroom, but a plunger can help unclog a clogged sink!

Clean front-load washers and dryers

You probably don’t think about cleaning the appliances that clean everyday objects. However, if you don’t take care of your washer, it will stop working properly, and your clothing will suffer as a result. Cleaning your front-load washer once a month is suggested. Because they never completely dry after a laundry load, front-load washers are a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

Cleaning your washer, as difficult as it may seem, is a simple procedure that is one of many DIY repairs you should know. Set your washer to the hottest, longest cleaning cycle (some washers have a self-cleaning cycle), pour in two cups of vinegar and a quarter cup of baking soda, and let it do its thing. After that, add a little water and wash off the inside of the drum and the rubber seal with a scrubby sponge.

The maintenance of a dryer is significantly easier. You should empty the dryer duct in addition to emptying out the dryer vent (which you should do before or after each load). Remove the dryer from the wall, unplug it, and vacuum the lint from the duct. The duct or tube may need to be replaced if it is damaged.

Re-caulk

In the bathroom, water from sinks and showers produces a lot of moisture. The effectiveness of the caulk in protecting the drywall and preventing mold growth is affected by the humidity. Mold and mildew appear from time to time, and none of us are startled by it. However, every caulk eventually reaches a point where it can no longer be properly cleaned and must be replaced.

With a sharp instrument and some mineral oil or vinegar, remove the old caulk. Tape the area that needs to be re-caulked after that (similar to painting trim in a bedroom or living space). After that, use a caulk gun to apply caulk to the required area. To create a smooth, concave surface, smooth the line with a gloved finger or an ice cube.

Maintain you garbage disposal 

You’re not the only one who notices a foul odor emanating from your sink. This is a very common problem. Because most kitchen sinks are used and abused, it’s important to give them some tender loving care again and then. And there’s no need to seek assistance because the remedy is so straightforward.

Pour half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar down each side of the sink to remove odors. Leave and go about your business, or stay and watch the fizz. Just make sure the stopper is in place before the foam spreads past the disposal. Flush everything down with hot water after a few minutes.

If the odor lingers, consider using citrus peels or ice and vinegar as alternatives. It’s possible that you’ll have to get your hands dirty and unclog the drain as well. You can either do it yourself or hire a professional to clean the drain trap.

Disinfect the dishwasher

In the dishwasher, it’s typical for food and grease to leave a residue. However, that residue will make your dishes unclean and foul in the end. You must set aside time to clean it on a regular basis. Fill a cup with vinegar once a month, place it in a dishwasher-safe container on the highest rack, and run it through the cycle. Don’t overlook the drain. Food that has become stuck, rots, smells, and clogs the drain.

Gutter and downspout cleaning

Rain gutters gather water and channel it away from the roof and foundation. When they’re blocked with leaves or debris, though, they won’t work properly. As a result, your foundation may deteriorate or get ruined, allowing pests to enter your home through holes. Clear your gutters with your hands, a leaf blower, or a wet-dry vac a few times a year, especially after the fall season. If you don’t want to climb a ladder, you can use leaf blower attachments to reach the gutters while keeping both feet firmly planted on the ground.

Install weatherproofing in your home

When you were a kid, did your parents ever exclaim, “I’m not paying to air-condition the entire neighborhood!” That remark was frequently uttered when you rushed inside for a snack or left a door open in your eagerness to play outside.

Your home’s gaps surrounding windows and doors work in the same way. They’re not as noticeable, but they allow for the loss of the valuable cold air you’re paying for, as well as, more importantly, the heat in the winter. If you experience a cold draft when walking by the front entrance, you most likely have a gap that has to be sealed.

The most difficult aspect of installing weatherproofing devices is determining which type you require. Strips, sheets, and putty are among the items available. This Old House’s article might assist you navigate through your possibilities. If you’re still unsure, go to the specialists in the department at Lowe’s, Home Depot, or your local hardware shop.

Fix stuck drawers

One of these drawers has belonged to everyone. It requires a particularly hard yank, a rattling, or a shove, followed by a pull. If you’re fed up with your current method, you can solve the problem with a minimal investment and a few minutes of your time.

Wax is the first item to try. At the grocery store, look for paraffin wax near the canning goods (or order it now while you’re thinking about it). Simply dab the wax around the drawer’s edges where it sticks. If it doesn’t work or the drawer catches after a while, buy some nylon tape and apply it to the drawer or shelf where it rubs.

Replace air filters as needed

Replacing the air filter is a tedious task that we often overlook. Perhaps it’s because we don’t realize how critical it is. Did you know that air filters can help your air conditioner last longer, improve your home’s energy efficiency, and prevent mold? Every 30 days, air filters (including ground-level return air vents) must be replaced. If your system allows it, search for filters with a 90-day life cycle or that are reusable, presuming you’ll clean them on a regular basis.

Make a repair to a hole in the wall

In a home, scrapes, dings, and even holes are regular annoyances. Wall damage is caused by rehanging photos, moving furniture, and having a little too much fun within the house. If the dent or hole was caused by a screw or nail, fill it with a quick-drying spackle, sand it smooth, then cover with touch-up paint.

If the hole is larger, go to the hardware shop and get a repair kit. They are simple to acquire and install. You’ll spend less than an hour filling the hole, but you’ll have to wait until the spackle is dry before painting.

Replacing a basic light fixture

Hardware finishes such as brass, brushed nickel, and gleaming silver come and go in fashion. You don’t need to call a handyman if you just want to update the fixture or if it’s broken and has to be replaced. To begin, turn off the fixture’s power. It’s just an issue of matching connections and mounting the fixture to the ceiling because it shouldn’t require any rewiring. Check out The Art of Manliness for a full step-by-step checklist. They present photographs to assist you in your journey.

Pressure washing your home and hardscape 

Have you used a pressure washer before? The purifying impact is remarkable, and while it is time consuming, it is well worth your time. If you don’t have a kind neighbor to borrow from the first time, you can usually hire the equipment from home improvement businesses by the hour or day. Watch your fence, siding, driveway, patio, or deck go from dusty and gray to clean and bright by pressure washing it! This type of wash is very useful for removing mildew stains from outside.

Replacing a damaged window screen

How often have you had to replace a ripped or broken window screen? It’s a typical housekeeping task. A screen can easily be punctured and torn by dogs, children, and even renegade birds. Fortunately, it’s a simple repair that won’t cost you a fortune.

Remove the old screen from the frame, cut the new one to size (leaving 2 inches between the screen and the frame), and pull it taut over the edge. Using a screen roller, press the excess screen into the channel. Finally, secure the screen by pushing the spline into the channel and trimming the excess material.

Replace outlet covers

It’s not always pleasant to replace outlet covers, but it can be! It’s as easy as unscrewing a few screws and replacing them. After a paint job, outlet covers are frequently changed. Repaint the outmoded cover color to match the new hue or acquire whole new covers in a current style for a quick and inexpensive change.

Summary: DIY Repairs Homeowners Should Know

When it comes to home repairs and the people who conduct them, it’s easy to notice how two distinct groups of people separate themselves and approach the repairs with very different attitudes. Some people feel they are born handy people who can solve any domestic issues. Others, on the other hand, don’t care if they have any skills and hire out for any and all home repairs, big or small.

You may be the aspiring handyman in your home, but you’re married to someone who hires a professional. While there is no such thing as a bad combination of DIY fixes, we’ve all seen the consequences of overestimating skills or overpaying for untapped home maintenance talent.

Today, however, we’re empowering individuals who, when faced with a home repair, immediately contact for assistance. Below is simple, step-by-step guidance developed with folks who are afraid of tools in mind. When it comes to house maintenance, we’re preparing you for a lifetime of independence. Make the most of your DIY skills and solve 15 common household issues. You’ve got this!

If you have any questions about common repairs homeowners should DIY contact me today.

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