Every homeowner will have to deal with repairs or maintenance at some point in their lives! For big fixes, you might want to call in the professionals, but you might be able to handle some of these common issues yourself.
Find and Stop Water Leaks
Water leaks can cause major damage in your home and run up your monthly water bill. An easy way to solve this problem without calling costly plumbers is by installing a water shut off valve. All you have to do is turn off the water supply to your house, clean out the pipe where you plan to install the valve and attach it. This will make it easy for you to stop leaks before they happen.
Stop Drawers from Sticking
Are your dresser drawers sticking? Do you have to yank your kitchen drawers open and then slam them shut again? To get your drawers running smoothly, you just need to add a little elbow grease — or candle wax. Rub a candlestick against the bottom of the drawer where it touches the dresser, and you’ll be surprised at how easily your drawers open and shut now.
Get Your Garage Door Opening Again
If your garage door isn’t functioning properly, it can be an easy fix. Check the metal tracks inside the garage and examine for any dents or damaged spots that you might need to flatten out with a rubber mallet. If the tracks appear loose, you might just need to tighten the brackets to get your garage door opening easily again. If the problem can’t be fixed through a DIY, you can find a local garage door repair Houston TX pro to help out.
Clean Bathroom Mould
Don’t be surprised if mold appears in your bathroom — it is caused by humidity, after all! The easiest way to prevent it is by opening the window when you take a hot shower to generate airflow, but once mold has arrived, you should tackle it quickly to stop the spread. Clean your bathtub or shower with a combination of vinegar, water, and dish soap to get rid of mold.
Repair Wobbly Chairs
One wobbly chair doesn’t mean you need to throw out the whole set! It can be a fairly simple repair for you to DIY at home. You can take the chair apart (labeling the legs so you can put them back in the right spot easily) and chisel off any excess glue. Once they are clean, reapply some glue and put it back together! If that doesn’t do the trick, you might want to bore a pocket hole in a hidden spot on the chair and use a pocket screw to lock the loose joint together.
Tackle Toilet Trouble
The last thing you want to deal with in your home is a broken toilet. There’s a lot that can go wrong with your toilet (it is used fairly often throughout the day), but most issues can be fixed by yourself. If your toilet won’t stop running, you might need to clean or replace the flapper. Mineral deposits can build on the flapper over time, preventing it from sitting properly. You might also need to adjust the chain to make sure it is functioning properly when you flush.
Don’t Let Your Doors Stick
A door becoming stuck shut can be a nightmare for those with claustrophobia! Prevent sticking doors by loosening or tightening the door hinge screws to let the door swing open and shut more smoothly. You can tell which you’d need to do by assessing the door when it is shut: if the door is too tight with no light packing through on the side with the hinges, they might need to be loosened and the door nudged over slightly.
No matter how much you take care of your home, things will wear down over time and need repair. But by taking preventative measures yourself, you can cut down on emergency plumbers or contractors visiting your home.
