Easy Home Repairs You Can Do Yourself

Owning a home is a dream come true for most people, but home ownership isn’t a walk in the park. Any homeowner knows it takes work to keep your space safe and running smoothly. Making repairs is part of the price you pay, and luckily there are some repairs anyone can make, even if they’re not usually the DIY type.

It might take some elbow grease, but with a few simple tools, you’ll be able to feel confident tackling some basic home repairs, allowing you to keep costs down and make repairs on your schedule rather than a contractor’s. 

Apply Caulking

Caulking is something that has endless uses in several parts of your home. Once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to use and can make significant improvements.

Caulk makes a seal that protects floors and walls from moisture, but it can discolor or deteriorate over time, leaving your home vulnerable to water damage and mold growth. These are not things you want to risk, and as real estate agents at Michael St. Jean Realty know, water damage and mold can affect your home’s resale value.

Start by removing the residue left by the old caulk. Apply caulk remover, and after a few minutes it should be easy to remove with a putty knife. Once the old caulk is gone, clean the area with paint thinner and let it dry completely. Then, add a thin bead of new caulk and smooth it over with your finger for that clean, finished look.

Patch a Hole in Drywall

Maybe you’re doing some redecorating, or you’ve decided some pictures or artwork looks better elsewhere. Luckily, patching holes is something nearly any homeowner can do. Using a spackle knife, fill in each hole with premixed spackling and scrape the excess off the walls. After it dries, sand the spot down until it’s smooth. Then, cover the repaired areas with primer and paint.

Larger holes in the drywall are a bigger repair job and can involve cutting, replacing, mudding, taping, and sanding, which may be better left to a professional.

Fix a Running Toilet

Running toilets are a common and annoying problem, but thankfully there’s an easy fix to this problem. When a toilet is running, it’s usually due to a leaky rubber flapper, which allows water to flow from the tank to the bowl when you flush. Make sure it’s the flapper that’s the problem by dropping some food coloring into the tank. Wait a few minutes, and if you see the food coloring bleeding into the bowl, take a trip to the hardware store to pick up a new flapper and follow the directions on the package.

Tackling these basic home repairs will make you feel great when you get to tick them off your to-do list and relax in your home, rather than wait for someone else to come fix them.

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Jared

Jared writes lifestyle content for Unfinished Man with an edgy, provocative voice. His passion for tattoos informs his unique perspective shaped by self-expression. Jared's knack for storytelling and ability to connect with readers delivers entertaining takes on modern manhood.

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