20 DIY Home Repair Skills That Will Save You Money
This post may contain affiliate links.
It’s great to own a home, but expensive when it comes to maintaining and repairing it. Calling a professional when it comes to home repairs might seem like the easiest thing to do, but many home repairs are actually easier than they seem and can be done with a little help.
You can learn a few DIY skills that can save you hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars over time. On top of that, it’s incredibly satisfying to fix things yourself. Learning these basic DIY skills won’t only save you repair costs but will also help you feel more comfortable taking care of your home.
Fixing a Leaky Faucet
A dripping faucet is little, but it can waste gallons of water over time. The cause is most often a worn out washer or O ring, which you can replace in minutes with almost no tools. It’s just a matter of turning off the water, disassembling the faucet and replacing the faulty part. It’s a fast, cheap fix that saves you on the water bill and a plumber’s bill.
Unclogging Drains
Bathroom and kitchen drains are often clogged. A simple mix of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water, could do the trick instead of calling a plumber. Sometimes the clog is stubborn and using a plunger or drain snake will help remove the blockage. These are affordable and easy to use.
Patching Drywall
Sure, accidental holes will occur in drywall, no matter how careful you are, but fixing them is easy. You’ll need a spackle, a putty knife, and sandpaper. Just put the spackle on the hole, smooth it out, let it dry, sand it down, and then paint over it. Hiring someone for a small job is much more expensive than this DIY fix.
Replacing a Light Fixture
One quick way to change the look of a room is to change out old light fixtures. Make sure the circuit breaker is off before it begins. Next, strip the old fixture of the wires and connect the new fixture’s wires, matching them up with the colors. Installing a new fixture yourself is a quick way to give your space a fresh look without paying an electrician’s bill.
Fixing a Running Toilet
A constantly running toilet can use a lot of water. The flapper or fill valve is most often the problem. These parts are inexpensive to replace and don’t require a plumber’s call. You can easily fix it yourself with basic tools and a little instruction.
Cleaning Out Gutters
Water damage on your roof and foundation can result from clogged gutters. If you can’t afford to pay for a cleaning service, grab a sturdy ladder, gloves, and a bucket and do it by hand. You can also install gutter guards to keep it from building up again. Regular gutter maintenance will save you money down the line from costly repairs.
Caulking Gaps and Cracks
Gaps and cracks can eventually develop around windows, doors or in the bathroom, causing drafts or water damage. These problems can be fixed in minutes with a caulk gun and a tube of caulk. A fresh line of caulk removes old, worn out caulk and provides a weather tight seal that can reduce energy bills. It’s a quick fix that increases home efficiency.
Replacing a Broken Tile
Cracked tiles in the bathroom or kitchen can look bad and are dangerous. Taking out one tile is easy: Simply pull the broken one out, apply more adhesive, and replace the new tile in the vacated spot. It’s good as new; grout the area. It’s a quick fix to make floors and walls look sharp without having to call in a contractor.
Installing a New Door Lock
Upgrading or replacing door locks may not sound like the best security, but it’s a fairly simple process. Changing the lock can be done with basic tools, whether you’re moving into a new home or want to improve your existing home’s security. It’ll take you no time to have it installed, just follow the instructions that come with the new lockset. However, this is a small project with a big effect on the safety of your home.
How to Stop a Door from Squeaking
The annoying squeaky door is easy to fix without a handyman. Usually, a few drops of WD-40 or oil on the hinges will do the trick. If the problem still occurs, the screws may need to be tightened or the hinge pins replaced. It is a quick repair that keeps doors working as they should and silently.
Repairing a Broken Screen
Torn window or door screens are frustrating and easy to replace. You’ll need a replacement screen, a spline tool and a little bit of patience. Pull the damaged screen out, insert the new one and put it back in with spline. A simple, low cost way to keep bugs out and air in.
Fixing a Sticky Window
If your windows are hard to open or close, the problem is usually dirt buildup or misalignment. Lubricate the tracks with silicone spray (or something similar) and then vacuum or brush clean the tracks. Often, the problem is with alignment, and adjusting the frame of the window can fix it. With this, you do not have to incur expensive window repairs or replacements.
Replacing a Showerhead
A quick DIY project is swapping out an old or clogged showerhead. Take off the old showerhead, wash away any mineral deposits, then screw in your new showerhead. All you need are a wrench and some plumber’s tape; no special tools are required. This small upgrade will improve your shower experience and improve water flow.
Fixing a Loose Cabinet Door
Cabinet doors can come loose over time due to screws wearing out or hinges loosening. It’s often just tightening the screws or replacing them that fixes the problem. Sometimes, you will need to adjust the hinge alignment slightly. That’s an easy way to keep your kitchen or bathroom looking neat without having to buy new cabinets.
Sealing Drafty Windows and Doors
Paper is similarly effective at eliminating the air leakage of the window and door joints, while the paper will not bulge around the joint’s ridge when used. They can also increase your heating and cooling costs greatly if they are drafty windows and doors. It’s cheap and effective weatherstripping. You gauge the gaps and apply the adhesive strips around the frames to block out drafts. This easy DIY will keep you comfortable while saving money on your energy bills.
Painting a Room
You can give a space a fresh coat of paint. It’s not only satisfying, it’s also cost effective. This project can be done over a weekend with some painter’s tape, drop cloths and a few brushes. Refreshing your home’s look doesn’t have to break the bank, it’s a simple way.
Fixing a Loose Toilet Seat
A wobbly toilet seat is uncomfortable and easy to fix. It takes only a screwdriver to tighten or replace the screws that hold it in place. If the bolts are rusted or broken, new hardware can be found at any hardware store. This minor repair will make your bathroom more comfortable and save a call to a plumber.
Adjusting Door Alignment
Cricking doors or doors that don’t close properly can be easily realigned. The case may be solved by tightening the hinges or adjusting the strike plate. Sometimes, you may need to sand down a small spot on the door frame. This simple fix allows you to avoid the annoyance of a misaligned door.
Fence Panel Repair
A loose or broken fence panel is usually a quick fix. Take out the broken board and substitute it with a new one and nail it or screw it. With this easy repair, your yard will look tidy and secure without a contractor. You only need a few simple tools and materials to get the job done.
Replacing Air Filters
Your HVAC air filters can become clogged, making the system less efficient and also decreasing air quality. They’re replaced by sliding out the old filter and putting in a new one. Filter changes are regular and they prolong the life of your system and increase airflow. It’s a quick maintenance task that will save you from spending money on costly HVAC repairs down the road.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
15 Common Mistakes That Unknowingly Make
