If you own a place or rent an apartment, you know you will need some of the most common home repairs sooner or later. You will want something fixed or added to your home, from unclogging a toilet, fixing a hole in the wall, or just a random paint job. Either way, it would be easier to call a plumber or technician to handle it for you. But it doesn't have to be that way all the time. Some of the most basic home repairs you can do by yourself. With a few tools, an in-depth guide from a technician, and some hard work sweat, you can do such simple home repairs yourself. Knowing some simple DIY fixes can keep costs down and might even become your hobby.
Ready your body and take a few minutes to learn five easy home repairs you can do yourself without complex instructions and complicated equipment. Regularly doing DIY home repairs for hours may never become your hobby, but knowing how to do simple fixes can keep your expenses down and help get the work done at your convenience. In this article, we will learn five home repairs you should know how to do yourself.
Patching a Hole in Drywall
Most homeowners know how to nail walls, and you would need to make a hole in the wall to install paintings and wall-mounted televisions. But if you move those things, you will be left with a hole in the wall. Nail holes can be unsightly to view, and you can patch up holes and breaks in the wall to make it look good as new. Drywall is an affordable, easy-to-install surface.
Follow these simple steps to patch up those holes.
- Add a thin layer of drywall putty, also called spackle, around the hole's edge to act as glue to hold your patch to the wall.
- Apply the paper tape. Cut off two sections of the tape so that each length will extend at least 2 inches beyond each side of the hole.
- Wait for the putty to dry and smooth over your patch. Drying time may take up to two or three hours. So once the putty is dry and solid, lightly sand down any high spots with sanding paper.
- Then, paint the repaired spots with a primer. Wipe away all sanding dust with a clean rag. Paint over the patch area with matching paint.
Thus, the hole is gone! You can then decide whether to repaint the whole wall or paint up patched areas. If you are patching tiny nail holes, you can cover up the patches by patting on paint with a soft cloth. For larger holes, you need a mudding, taping, and sanding professional.
Doing the Paint Yourself
Whether you want to paint a whole room or need to cover a patch of drywall, painting can go a long way to improving your home's looks. Sprucing up your rooms with vivid colors is the best way to express yourself and liven up the place.
But before you start choosing the color you want, there are some things you need to bear in mind.
- Preparation is key. Getting all the tools and knowing what to do can help ensure that the paint job isn't sloppy. Paint marks, splatters, and uneven painting can be unappealing and be as bad as cracks on the wall.
- Start by removing any fixtures or appliances that might block the way of your project if you leave things in place that create obstructions when painting. You'll take more time painting around them, and the result won't look as clean as you would want it.
- After a clear spot on the walls, clean them with a sponge or a dry cloth. Dust will keep paint from sticking on your walls and could cause smudges. Be aware of holes and other imperfections that need patching and rough areas that could use sanding. Little repairs like this can make a big difference in the final result.
- Once you've cleared the walls and done a few little patches, apply primer to any sanded areas. You can also use paint with mixed primer, so you don't need to prime the wall beforehand.
Now you're ready to mask molding, built-ins, and baseboards with tape and start laying down cloth on the floor, and after that, painting your room will be easy.
Installing a Light Fixture
Electricians can be expensive to hire. But with some research and understanding of your electrical system, you can have the necessary skills to handle electrical projects yourself. Homeowners can safely install light fixtures independently since they have minimal risk of harming you. With that said, you should still be careful when doing such projects.
- Shut off power at the source. Turn off the electricity from the electrical panel to avoid electrocution.
- Unscrew the wires. Unscrew the wires connected to the old light fixture.
- Remove the old light fixture. Once you've disconnected the old light fixture, you are free to remove the old light fixture.
- Connect new fixture wires. Connect the new fixture to the wires connected to the power source.
- Secure the new fixture. Screw those wires tightly to ensure they are tightly connected.
- Restore power and test out the new fixture. Turn on the power and test the light to see if it works.
If you don't feel confident in your knowledge or skill, it's best to call in a professional.
Fixing a leaky faucet
Fixing a leaky faucet is one of the most common household repairs. It sounds like a minor problem, but all those drips add up could cost you a lot in utility bills. If you want to stop a leaky faucet by yourself, the process can be pretty straightforward, depending on the type of faucet you have.
Start by shutting off the water. There's usually a shut-off valve in the basement or garage. If not, you can shut off the water to the entire house and turn it back on later.
Replace your faucet by following these steps:
- Unscrew the faucet handle. The screw may hide under a cap at the back of the handle.
- Remove the valve nut. You'll need a wrench for this, and it may put up some resistance.
- Unscrew the stem and remove it from the housing.
- Take out the screw that holds the washer in place. If the washer's been in there long, you may need oil to loosen the screw.
- Remove the washer and examine it. If it hasn't deteriorated too much, you can use it as a template to help you locate a replacement. Check the valve seat at the bottom of the valve body to determine whether the washer fits into a space with straight or angled walls.
- Once you have a new washer, reverse the steps you took to remove the old one to complete the installation.
Deteriorated washers account for most faucet leaks. In most instances, addressing a leak by changing out the washer is the best solution to the problem.
Unclogging a Toilet
Nobody likes it, but someone has to do it. Toilet problems are dreadful because there's usually some urgency involved. Usually, you would spend money and hire a plumber to do it for you. But what if there is no plumber available? Well, you can do it on your own. So long as you have the stomach for it. Most clogs happen because something gets stuck in the pipes, and things like children's toys are prone to clog the toilets. With some sturdy gloves, you can fish the object by hand. You can also try to pour a bucket full of water to dislodge some blockage with the water's added pressure.
If that still doesn't work, use a plunger to clear the toilet. Plungers are best for toilet clogs because they make a better seal and increase the pressure down the siphon tube. Another item is the plumbing snake, and you can tread down the toilet bowl and free anything that got trapped there. Plumbing snakes are relatively cheap options available at your hardware stores. If these options don't work, it would be best to hire a plumber instead.
So What Should You Fix First?
Of course, we don't have time to put off the work, as it needs immediate attention, especially during a plumbing emergency. So it pays to know how to stop simple problems before it worsens. So patch up that hole, repaint your rooms, and install that mood light you want. You can all do it on your own without needing a professional.
But if you do not have the time to do it, we can help you. Whether it's a loose vent, clogged shower drain, or flickering light, we can help you fix it fast with Home Alliance technicians. Learn more tips for your DIY home maintenance and read more blogs here!
