DIY Home Repairs You Can Safely Attempt Yourself

Homeowners in the United States incurred an additional $6,649 on home improvements in the year 2018. Most of these extra costs are rarely factored in when considering the initial value of purchasing or constructing a house.  But on the flip side, you could reduce or eliminate such extra costs of repair all together if you considered DIY home repairs. 

Home improvements do not always have to cost an arm and a leg. If you can identify some of the most nagging problems in your home, you could quickly become the handyman at no extra labor costs.

Before a home improvement rears its ugly head and stresses you out, consider these DIY home repairs that you can safely attempt yourself.

1. Sprucing up Your Room with Paint

Painting can be messy and unfulfilling if not well-prepped for before the actual job. But whether you want to paint an entire room or a small part on the wall, you do not always have to call in a professional. All you need are spattered work clothes, a couple of paintbrushes, paint and a desire to save on costs.

You can undertake a DIY painting job and add style and flair into your home without necessarily having attended a painting class. You need to ensure that you don’t leave spatters and roller marks as you complete the project. If you want to paint like a pro, prepping is everything. 

Ensure that you remove any fixtures that are close enough to the targeted section. Remove any other additional items that may obstruct the process. Once you have an unobstructed view of the area, clean it up with a damp sponge.

Next, you need to look out for nail holes, gouges, and any other rough spots. Sand the area out and fill such voids with spackle to ensure evenness on the walls. Remember to lay down drop cloths to ensure a mess-free outcome.

Once you’re done, you will be ready for the actual painting. The hard part is in the preparation. Otherwise, the real painting process is fun and refreshing.

2. Fixing a Leaking Kitchen Is an Easy DIY Home Repairs Process. 

Most homes have to deal with this concern ever so often. Leaking kitchen pipes can be a significant turn off considering the critical role played by kitchen sinks. The DIY home repairs for a drain pipe may involve a simple tightening of a loose slip-nut located near the P-trap. 

You need to identify the source of the leak first. Once you’re sure of the problem, you may consider coupling with hose clamps. If tightening the slip nuts and coupling with hose clamps does not solve the issue, it would be prudent to call in a professional. 

3. Fixing a Clogged Garbage Disposal 

Garbage disposal systems are highly susceptible to clogs. If you’re not running adequate water to flush off the food particles down the drain, you may deal with clogged systems often. These recurrent costs will dent your finances in the long- term.  

You can quickly unclog your garbage disposal system, depending on the extent of the damage. But first, you need to turn off the disposal. This reduces the risk of injuries or accidents.  Don’t attempt any procedure until you have cut off the power.

You should then determine the reason for the clog. Using a flashlight can be a simple way to assess the clogged system and the kind of blockage. If you decide that something other than food is clogging the system, then do not attempt to flush the system.

You should try turning on your blades, which works well to break up the clogged materials. Turning on the blades manually also ensures that you identify the source of the clogging. The blades can break up the debris and clear the system.

Whatever you do, don’t pour chemicals down the disposal system. Once you can unclog the system, it would be prudent to consider specific future steps to reduce the risk of clogging. You can learn more about how to prevent clogged drains, and reduce the burden of dealing with a recurrently malfunctioning plumbing system. 

4. Replacing a Faucet 

On average, replacing a faucet can cost you $189. Depending on whether the valve is new, you may end up incurring more. But while you may consider the actual purchasing price, you don’t have to incur additional costs on installation or repairs.

Replacing a leaky faucet does not have to be as complicated. With a basin wrench and a few other tools, this process may take less than an hour. Whether you’re replacing an old faucet or installing a new system, the steps are the same. 

You need to turn off the water supply first as a precautionary measure. Then turn on the faucet to release any additional water pressure in the system. You should then remove the drain by unscrewing the slip-nut and then disconnecting the drain flange from the tailpiece.

Once the faulty faucet is off the way, you can now install the new one. You need to install the gasket first on the bottom of the faucet. Some of the gasket installations may require a plumber’s putty. If your faucet is not preassembled, you can undertake the assembly process using the user’s guide.

Apply the silicon or the putty under the flange and then screw the flange from the top side. Ensure that you tighten the nut and the gasket before installing the drain rod. Then reconnect the supply lines to the faucet and remove the aerator. 

5. Fixing a Running Toilet 

A running toilet is a common concern in many homes considering the level of usage of this critical facility. But you shouldn’t panic. You only need access to a toilet rebuild kit. Such kits are available in hardware stores with clear and easy to follow instructions.  

In case you encounter challenges during the process, it would be prudent to consider the services of professionals.

Your Home Improvement Undertakings Do Not Have To Be Excessively Expensive

Most people dread DIY home repairs. But with the right information and tools, you’ll realize that there are many more home improvements you can undertake without the involvement of a professional. However, in case you experience uncertainties on more complicated repairs such as unclogging garbage systems calling in an expert would be useful.

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