As any homeowner can tell you, it seems that there’s always something that needs to be fixed. Whether it’s a leaky faucet, a squeaky door, or a stuck lock, it can start to add up. Even if you’re not the handiest person in the world, there’s no need to allow certain household nuisances such as a leaky faucet to drive you crazy. Here’s a list of easy DIY home repairs and common fixes that anyone can do themselves.
With a little bit of practice, and a trip down to the local hardware store, you can tackle these DIY home repairs andprojects on your own.
8 Simple DIY Home Repairs
- Running Toilet. Most toilet troubles don’t require the cost involved with calling a plumber to your home. One of the most common problems with a toilet is constant running of water from the holding tank to the bowl. This is solved by replacing the rubber flapper in the holding tank, which you can find at your local hardware store for about $6.
- Moldy Caulk. If the caulk around your kitchen sink or bathtub is becoming cracked, brown, or moldy, it’s time to replace it. New caulk will not only look better, it will seal better, too. The toughest part is getting rid of the old caulk. Remove it with a putty knife and clean the area with paint thinner. Then carefully apply the new caulk (after practicing your straight lines first, if you prefer).
- Leaky Faucet. There are a few different types of faucets out there, but many bathroom faucets are compression type faucets that are easy to fix. First, turn off the water supply under the sink. Then remove the faucet handle by unscrewing the screw on top. Then remove the packing nut, valve stem, and washer. Note your faucet brand and take all of this to the local hardware store where it should be easy to find a replacement kit.
- Squeaky Door. To get rid of squeaky hinges, spray the hinges with WD-40. If you don’t have any WD-40 around, rub some petroleum jelly into the cracks of the hinges. This is one of the easiest DIY home repairs you can do!
- Clogged Toilet. Try waiting for the water level to slowly go down on its own and put on some rubber gloves to see if a foreign object is blocking the outlet (an especially common clog if you have youngsters). If this doesn’t work, fill a bucket with water and pour it down the bowl. A simple plunger works wonders, too.
- Broken Light Switch. Don’t spend $100 or more on an electrician to replace a switch. Buy a new switch at a hardware store and pick up an inexpensive circuit tester to be safe. Turn off the breaker for the switch and unscrew the wall plate. After testing the circuit to make sure it’s off, take note of how the wires are connected and simply install the new switch the same way.
- Stained Grout. You can bleach stains with a grout pen or grout cleaner, but it might look better by applying a grout colorant.
- Stuck Sliding Glass Door. Chances are there is debris surrounding the rollers. Remove the door to get at the rollers and clean them thoroughly. Once clean, spray them with silicone lubricant (which won’t hold dirt) and replace the door. Broken or bent rollers can be replaced inexpensively with a trip to your local hardware store.
With a little bit of elbow grease, you can solve your DIY home repairs. Do it yourself, and save some cash!