All homeowners agree having your own home is both financially beneficial and a big part of preparing for your future. But while homeownership has an extensive list of rewards and benefits, there are also some minor home repairs that will crop up from time to time.
So what to do then? On average, Americans spend almost $4 billion a year on home repairs and renovations. Before you jump on the cell phone and call the nearest contractor, you might want to take a moment and consider if you can handle the repair yourself.
Image by Laura Shaw
With that in mind, here are 7 minor home repairs you don’t have to call a professional for.
- Paint the Interior
If the walls in your living room or bedroom are starting to look a little bland or faded, oftentimes the most cost-effective solution is a fresh coat of paint. And you don’t have to be the latest version of Van Gogh or Rembrandt to complete a job anyone would be proud of.
A good layer of protection on the floor in the form of plastic that you can buy at the local store is a must first step. And lining any floorboards with painter’s tape will prevent any paint drips from going where you don’t want them to.
Once you have taken a sponge with some water and lightly cleaned the surface of the wall, you can start by priming the wall. Then paint it after the primer dries with your color of choice. The type of paint you buy will determine how many layers of paint you choose to slather on your walls, so be sure to read the instructions first.
- Patch a Small Hole In the Drywall
Your list of minor home repairs may include that small little hole you’ve been covering up with your sofa. But fixing it is much easier than you think.
Most patches are easy to work with and require a small amount of time. Applying some putty with a spackle knife, smoothing it over, and waiting for it to dry before applying primer and paint should do the trick. Your wall space will look new and you can start rearranging furniture without covering over certain key spots.
- Unclog the Toilet
If you are envisioning having to take the toilet apart with horrendous scenes of sewage and carnage everywhere, take a deep breath. Usually, having to take the toilet apart is the last step once everything else has been tried. And even then, it really isn’t as horrible as you might think.
But when it comes to fixing a toilet, your best bet is to use that handy plunger you got lying around. A little bit of elbow grease and you can get that toilet up and running in no time.
- Fix a Leaking Pipe
When it comes to leaks that are just under your kitchen or bathroom sink, you can usually manage on your own. Sometimes it can be just a simple matter of tightening a nut that has come loose.
A word to the wise, however. There is one important factor with a leaking pipe that might determine if it is out of reach of your confident DIY hands and merits calling a professional to fix it. What is it?
Once you have crawled underneath the sink to find out where the water is coming from, stop what you’re doing and make the phone call if you think the water is coming from behind a wall. Trying to tear down the existing area without a lot of experience could cause more damage than necessary and even make the problem worse.
- Clean Out Gutters
Cleaning out gutters can be a bit labor-intensive, but will still save you some money in the long run and is another one of those easy home repairs you can do yourself. Make sure you have a stable and safe ladder, some work gloves, a bucket to throw the debris in, and if possible a hose to test out the water flow once you are done.
If you find out that a corner is leaking, some basic caulk put at the source of the leak inside the gutter can help. Once the caulk has dried, run water with the hose through it again to test it out to make sure it worked.
- Hang Curtains
Curtains can add that nice, aesthetic touch to a living room or bedroom, and installing curtain rods won’t take a lot of time. Take measurements so that you are getting the length you want, and pick a color that will suit you. And make sure when you purchase curtains that you also get the adequate curtain rods and hardware to go with them.
- Repair the Garage Door
Another aspect of basic home repair comes into play if your home includes a garage. Most garages come equipped with garage doors that are easy to repair yourself without having to get a professional involved. Once you get the garage door repair parts you need, take the time to read the directions and replace the worn-out piece causing the issue.
Minor Home Repairs Are Something You Can Handle
Since the cost of hiring contractors or professionals can add up, a lot of homeowners are familiar with the benefits of becoming a good do-it-yourselfer. With a little planning and research, you can tackle these minor home repairs with the flourish of a pro, without the extra cash involved.
Need more home repair tips or advice? Read some of our other blog articles to learn more!
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