It is incredibly tempting to ignore the steep cost of hiring a professional home improvement contractor to do your home maintenance. Fearing that they’d botch up the job, homeowners often resort to hiring contractors to do home repairs. Perhaps, you have done the same thing.
Home repairs may seem intimidating. Perhaps, you fear that your own attempts at repairing that leaky faucet will only cause further damage. However, you need to know how to do simple repairs. You need to have your own bag of DIY home maintenance tips and tricks.
You will certainly save a lot of money if you know how to do your own home repairs and maintenance. You will also ensure a good selling price for your property if it is in good condition. Check out the article below for great DIY home maintenance tips.
Knowing these basic DIY home maintenance and repair tips can mean a huge difference in your bank account. You will certainly be able to save a lot of money. You do not need to possess specialized know-how in order to do these things. They do not even require a lot of time or money. Check out the basic tips below.
Toilet
Water leaks from your toilet tank will increase your utility bill, cause damage to your bathroom floors and bring about premature wear and tear in your bathroom. So, how do you know if you have a leak in your toilet tank?
To check for leaks, you need to add red food colouring to your water tank and then leave it for an hour. Come back an hour later to check if the water in the bowl is pink. If it is, then you have a leak. This means you need to replace your flapper. In order to do this, you need to shut off the toilet’s water supply by turning the water valve. You will find it behind the tank. Next, remove the lid of the tank and then flush the toilet to empty the tank. Mop out any excess water left. Detach the flush chain, and then carefully slide the tank’s flapper off the tube. Replace with a new flapper, attach the chain and then turn the water supply on.
Faucets
The primary culprit for leaky faucets is worn out washers. These rubber washers tend to wear out quickly, so you need to replace them. To do this, you need to shut off the water supply first. Remove the screw of the handle that controls the water flow. Remove the old washer and then replace it with a new one.
Plumbing
This may seem really intimidating for most homeowners, but in order to ensure that you won’t have disruption of water supply, you need to take note of these things:
- Do not dump fats and oils down the drain. They are the primary cause of clogs. Oils can solidify at room temperature. This is why experts suggest running hot water mixed with dishwashing liquid down the drain. This will help clear blockages.
- Make sure you have a hair strainer for your bathroom. Hair is the primary source of clogs in the bathroom. Make sure to remove accumulated hair everyday – or right after you shower.
- Avoid using strong acids to clear clogs. Although they can help unclog the drains, they can also significantly damage your plumbing. They can cause leaks which will cost you a lot of money later on. Ideally, you should use a drain snake if your toilet or bathtub plumbing is clogged. If the kitchen sink is clogged, you should try plunging it before using the snake. After attempting to remove the clog and failing to do so, you should then call a professional plumber.
Paint
You do not have to hire a professional to do interior painting or repainting. Repainting the entire home interior can be costly. It may also be a bit difficult. You can save time and money by repainting every now and then. You can avoid an extensive work if you do spot-on colour match every so often. You should save paint for future touch-ups. Ideally, you should remember the colour you used; so you can easily go to the hardware store where you got the paint and buy the same colour in the future.
If you are going to cover nicotine-stained walls, you need to apply a stain blocker before you apply the paint. Nicotine will prevent paint from sticking to your wall. It will only create bubbles. Adding a few drops of vanilla into the can of paint will help prevent bad odours which may seep into your dry wall.
Windows
Do you know that your drafty windows may cause a spike on your energy bills? You need to check your windows periodically to make sure that the caulk line is in good condition. If it appears dry, cracked or weathered, you need to remove it with a knife or cutter, and replace it with a new one. You can save more money on your electric bills by installing an insulating film over the window glass.
Gutters
Not all homeowners know this – your gutters are your main line of defence between your foundation and sliding and the bad elements. Gutters capture water and debris that run from your roof. Your gutter keeps them away from your home’s foundation. You need to clean your gutters at least once a year by removing debris from the channels. Rinse your gutters as well. Do not install gutter guards. These things prevent dirt from entering your gutters. They also make it difficult to clear your gutter of dirt and debris.
Roofs
You need to check your roof periodically. Make sure there are no damaged areas. Panels that are damaged or discoloured need to be replaced. Roof leaks can cause a lot of damage, and you may end up spending more money on repairs. If you have panels for roofing, make sure to pay attention to areas surrounding skylights or vents. These are leak-prone areas.
These are basic DIY home maintenance tips. Keeping your home properly maintained will help you save money in the long run. This will also help increase the longevity of your home’s structure.
