Part of being a homeowner is dealing with upkeep. Eventually something will go wrong with your home and you’ll need to take care of it. In some cases this will mean calling in an expert repair service and paying them to repair it for you. But in other cases you’ll be able to do the job yourself and save yourself some money. Here are 7 home repairs you can likely do on your own if you’re feeling extra handy.
Repainting
As time goes on the paint around your home will fade or peel. This can lead to an undesirable look, both on the inside and the outside. Luckily, repainting parts of your home is a fairly simple process and one that you can usually tackle over the course of a weekend. All it requires is a bucket or two of paint, some brushes, some paint rollers, some painter’s tape, and something to protect your furniture and floors with. There are also plenty of guides online that can show you the quickest and best way to paint a room.
Leaky Pipes
Leaky pipes are a common nuisance around the home. Not only is the steady drip an annoying noise, but if left unchecked the leak could lead to a home emergency and cause further damage. For instance, if one of the leaky pipes in is your upstairs bathroom, this water could leak downwards and ruin the ceilings of the rooms below it. This is why you’ll want to address a leaky pipe as soon as you can. Fixing a leaking pipe requires that you locate the source of the leak, then apply a temporary fix until a more permanent solution can be applied. This guide can walk you through the process of fixing a leaky pipe.
Replace a Light Fixture
Working with electricity can be a little dangerous, but if you take some precautions, you can easily fix some minor electrical issues. A common electrical issue you can do on your own is replacing a light fixture. Start by shutting off the electricity to that fixture – this is done by turning off the breaker in your circuit panel.
Next, remove any protective coverings on top of the light fixture’s wiring. Inside you will find 3 wires – a black one, a white one, and a green/copper one. Disconnect these wires from the fixture, then remove the old fixture. Then you can attach the wires to your new light fixture, mount it into the ceiling, and flip the power back on. The whole process can be done in a few minutes, but again if you’re not comfortable working with electricity, hire someone to do this for you.
Roof Repairs
Just like a leaky pipe can drip into the lower levels of your home, a leaky roof can have the same effect when it rains. Your roof takes the brunt of the force whenever bad weather comes through, so it’s important to fix it as soon as you’re able. If you find signs that your roof is leaking, you’ll want to get up on a ladder and start replacing some shingles.
However, just because you can fix your roof on your own doesn’t mean you should. Getting on the roof is dangerous and roof repairs are not always as simple as they seem. According to Guardian Roofing, a Houston roof repair service, “While it may seem cheaper to try to patch up leaks or other roof problems yourself, it’s usually a bad idea. And, more often than not, leads to bigger problems down the line.”
Door Friction
If you’re having trouble opening and closing your door, this is a problem you can likely solve on your own. All you usually need to do is tighten the screws on the hinges. Grab your screwdriver or power drill and push the screws a little further into the wall. This should life the door back to its original location and prevent the sticking. If it doesn’t you may need to install additional screws into the hinge, or sand down the door. This requires a bit more work, but it’s still something the average handyman can do. Here is a helpful guide for more information.
HVAC Filter Replacement
Finally, any home with an HVAC system should have its air filter regularly replaced. Replacing the air filter keeps your system from breaking down and will help it run more efficiently. Every HVAC system is different, so you’ll want to consult the owner’s manual to find the location of the HVAC filter within the unit. Once you do, it’s usually just a matter of removing a cover, sliding out the old filter and putting in the new one.
Some jobs around your home require an expert, but not all of them. With a little bit of research and time you can make plenty of repairs around your own home and save yourself some money. So the next time something goes wrong in your home, think about if you can handle it yourself first before calling in a repair service.
Pub: avoid a home emergency
