Even though it may seem rather intimidating, fixing certain problems in your home is actually quite easy and can be done by yourself. One can easily learn basic skills to manage their home without hiring services or buying materials. The following are five simple home repair tips you can do without the need for a professional touch.
1. Fix a Leaky Faucet
If your faucet has a leak, then you will have to contend with higher prices when it comes to your water bill. Luckily, there’s an easy solution. Most of the leakages occur due to eroded washers, O-rings, or rubber seals. These problems are known to cause the majority of leaks. Firstly, shut off the water, and then unbolt the unit by using a wrench. Check this washer or the O-ring during an inspection and replace it if it is worn out. After the new part is installed, replace all the pieces of the faucet and then turn on the water. It will help avoid future wastage of water and you will be saving this precious resource as well as money.
2. Unclog a Drain
Blocked drains are very typical. However, they do not always mean that you have to call a plumber. To remove most clogs, you can use a drain snake, and in cases where you don’t have one, you can use baking soda and vinegar. It is advisable to start with a simple cleaning of the drain by eliminating any debris that one can easily see. If that does not work, use the snake to pull out more clogs we assume to be deeper. In addition, allowing hot water to be flushed with baking soda and then pouring vinegar on the drain can also disintegrate the grime. It is cheaper and does not involve the use of dangerous chemicals and hence good for the environment.
3. Patch Small Holes in Drywall
It is one of the simplest do-it-yourself applications every homeowner should be willing to attempt, and it can assist in giving a new look to the room within a short period, all because of small holes that are left behind after the installation of fittings in the wall. First you need to clear the hole where the repair is to be done to ensure no dirt or debris is present. With the putty knife, apply the spackle or joint compound over the corresponding hole in question and spread it over the wall area. When the spackle hardens, take an abrasive paper to smoothen the area then paint over the patch with the wall color. This repair is easy and can be done without help from professionals, and thus suitable for areas of the house that are damaged by nails or by accident.
4. Replace a Light Switch
A faulty light switch can be rather a nuisance, but it is not difficult to replace it. First one should turn off the power to the switch at the circuit breaker to prevent any mishap. Take off the cover plate, and then uncover and screw the old switch. The wiring arrangement of the house should be noted down before doing any detaching of cables. Screw the wires to the new switch in the same position and tighten them in place. Switch the power back and check whether the new switch is alright or not. It should be noted that this minor fix may significantly enhance the reliability of this electrical system in your house.
5. Squeaky Door Hinges
A squeaky door can be annoying, but one can easily fix it in a quick time, and it is mostly done quickly. It is, therefore, quick and easy to solve the matter by applying some multi purpose oil on the door hinges by dropping a few drops of the liquid. You just have to pour some into the hinge pins and then move the door backward and forwards to have an equal spread of the oil. Everyone should be able to appreciate this trick in his or her everyday life because it should not even require the use of any sophisticated tool or technical know-how. It also helps to avoid the phenomenon of squeaking that may appear at a later stage, and the door hinge maintains the best quality of its smooth motion for a very long time.
Conclusion
When faced with minor home repairs, there is no better person to take charge and fix them than yourself. This will help you avoid spending a lot of money in the long run. From fixing a leaky faucet to correcting the sound made by door hinges, such tasks do not require much technical tools and skills. Even though these are typical problems that you will encounter in your home, dealing with them independently helps you to keep your house in order.