The expense of hiring a professional to do maintenance and repairs is typically high for homeowners. Most homeowners prefer to fix minor issues on their own to save money, but not everyone has the required skills to do so, even with how-to videos found online.
Spending more money on hiring a professional would be wise rather than tackling a DIY job without researching and being fully prepared. It is crucial to think about the supplies, tools, and time needed for any home renovation project, even if you have knowledge and expertise.
How do you determine which tasks are doable by you and which ones require specialized help? Here are some home repairs that you can DIY.
1. Remodeling a small bathroom
Start with a modest bathroom if you’re interested in learning how to make repairs or remodel your home. Renovating a tiny bathroom is a great way to learn the ins and outs of remodeling, as it requires you to include all the essentials without overwhelming the space.
This is a great opportunity to try out a variety of home improvement projects on a smaller scale. It only takes a day or two to install a new vanity and connect the plumbing in a bathroom. A GFCI outlet, an exhaust fan, and some lights are all you need for a minor electrical repair in a bathroom.
The skills you acquire while remodeling that tiny bathroom can be applied to larger projects in additional bathrooms, kitchens, or other rooms in the house.
2. Repair wobbly furniture
Unstable furniture is one of the more frustrating issues a homeowner can have. Here’s an easy fix for wobbly tables and chairs to kick off this list of typical household maintenance tasks.
After taking them apart, you can chisel out any leftover glue or wood from the connection pieces. Consider labeling them so you can put them back together again easily. Chairs and tables can be reassembled after thoroughly cleaning the “joints” and applying new glue.
Use a rope to hold them together while the adhesive dries. So you give it the time it needs, sit down and relax for a bit with your fav online casino.
3. Painting the outside of your house
Putting on a new coat of high-quality paint on the external walls of your home is a simple way to increase its value and appeal to potential buyers. If you have the necessary equipment and some spare time, you can paint the external walls yourself instead of hiring a professional painting service.
The outside paint on your home should be high quality because low-grade paint may crack, fade, and chip quickly. Spending a little more on high-quality paint will save you time and money.
4. Unplugging a clogged toilet
Every homeowner has to deal with a backed-up toilet at some point, and it’s never fun. Inconveniences in the restroom can be a source of stress.
The first step is to keep calm. Assume the role of a detective and check to see if anything suspicious might have fallen into the toilet. Toys of various shapes and sizes find their way into the toilets of many homes with young children.
You can put on protective gloves and fish the item out in this situation. When the water level in the bowl has returned to normal, you can also pour a gallon of water into the toilet bowl. This additional force usually works to dislodge obstructions and send particles on their way.
Use a plunger to flush the toilet if that doesn’t work. If you have a clogged toilet, a flanged plunger is your best bet since it creates a better seal and allows you to apply more pressure down the discharge siphon tube. Plungers with an accordion design also work well.
5. Patching up surface cracks
Surface cracks can be readily repaired with some plaster and a new coat of paint, regardless of whether your interior walls are composed of drywall or bricks.
However, if the bricks inside your home’s walls have begun to crack, you may want to consider having a professional home inspector take a look to see if the problem is more severe than it appears to be at first glance.
Whether you’re a DIY pro or have never touched a trowel before, patching a crack with plaster is a breeze. One spot of extra paint could dry a hue darker than the rest of the wall, so it’s best to repaint your entire wall to avoid patchwork results.
6. Low water pressure
Many things can lead to low water pressure, but often all it takes is a tweak of the pressure regulator to fix the problem. You should be able to find a bell-shaped valve close to the point where the main water line joins the house.
You can adjust the water pressure by loosening the locknut and turning the bolt on the valve. To increase pressure, turn clockwise; to decrease, turn counterclockwise. Twist it half a turn, double-check, and go from there.
7. Opening stuck windows
Using a utility knife, score the paint around a painted-closed window. Next, take a putty knife and, using a hammer, tap it into the opening until the window slides out.
If it doesn’t work, try prying it loose from the bottom with a small pry bar. Only use a thin plank of wood as a spacer between the pry bar and the sill to avoid scratching the paint.
The bottom line
There are many potential home repairs; most are easily solvable with basic tools and some online research. Before calling for help, use the internet to see if you can quickly solve this problem. You may end up saving a lot of money.
