Regular home maintenance and repair are essential to prolong the life span of your home, as well as keep its market value on the positive. But home-improvement jobs tend to cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Materials alone can get very expensive. Hiring professionals to do the work will make your wallet sick. Fortunately, there are several problems you can fix without a pro’s help.
Here are five DIY home repairs for the budget-conscious homeowner.
Stop a Leaky Faucet
A leaky faucet is a common household problem that’s relatively easy to repair. The leak can be caused by a loose handle, broken parts, or a damaged washer.
If the handle is simply loose, you can just tighten the handle screw. But if an irreplaceable part is broken, it’s better to replace the entire faucet to save yourself the trouble of looking for and installing parts.
If the problem is the washer, you need to remove the handle, screw, and packing nut, and replace it. Check out this video to learn how to diagnose the source of the leak and repair it.
Unclogging the Toilet
Clogged toilets often occur at home, especially if you use the fixture as a trash can. For normal clogging, you can use a toilet plunger or accordion plunger to remove what’s blocking the drain. There are also products you can pour down your toilet to break down the clog and free up the drain.
If your toilet is frequently clogged, without anyone flushing trash down the drain, this may be a sign that you need to get it replaced. Consider getting a water-efficient upflush macerating toilet for more water savings, easy installation, and clog prevention.
Replacing the Showerhead
It doesn’t take a professional to replace a broken showerhead. And if your showerhead is simply clogged, you may not need to get a new one at all. Before buying a replacement, try the vinegar solution first to unclog your shower.
Fill up a plastic bag with white vinegar. Put the bag around the showerhead, letting the head soak in the liquid. Leave it to soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the bag, and run the shower to flush out mineral deposits.
However, if your showerhead is well and truly broken, you buy a matching (or better) replacement.
Unsure of what to get? Bring your old showerhead or take a picture of it, and show it to the shop attendant. They’ll give you suitable recommendations for a new showerhead. Make sure to choose the low-flow kind to save water and money.
Patching Drywall Holes
Small drywall holes caused by nails, hooks, or screws are easily reparable with the help of a spackle knife, lightweight putty, and primer paint. Simply patch the hole with the putty, using the spackle knife to even out the surface. Let it dry, then sand the area to smoothen further. Apply primer paint to blend the patched area with the rest of the wall.
This simple solution is only suitable for tiny holes. It’s better to leave bigger ones in the hands of professionals to ensure a quality repair.
Silencing a Squeaky Door
A squeaky door is a small albeit annoying problem, one that can be fixed quickly. To solve the problem, you must first know its cause. Doors, or hinges, to be exact, squeak due to wear or settling. Applying lubricant on the hinges can put the screeching to a halt in a matter of seconds.
One spray of WD-40 is usually all it takes to solve the problem. If you don’t have one at home, you can also use petroleum jelly, paraffin candle, or olive oil. Remove the hinge pin, and cover it with petroleum jelly or olive oil, or light a paraffin candle and apply the melted wax on the pins. Return the pin on the hinge. Problem solved!
Afterthoughts
It’s the homeowner’s responsibility to look after their place, but not everyone has the resources to spare for home improvement. Therefore, prioritize the parts that need repair and maintenance.
Breaks and damages can snowball when left to fester for a long time, then it will cost you more to have them repaired later. If small repairs are required at home, you don’t have to call in a professional. Learn how to do it yourself, and save your money for the more important stuff.