Not everything requires the services of a professional. Some tasks, particularly house repairs, may be completed with a few easy steps that you are more than capable of performing. This way, you can minimize expenses and learn a few things. Some of the home repairs you can do are as follows:
FIX A STICKY DOOR
If you have a door that sticks, it is best to fix it with a lubricant. However, before you start applying the lubricant and testing your work, make sure you know what lubricant will work best for your door. Some doors are made of metal; others are made from plastic or wood. Lubricants won’t affect metal doors, so if yours is made from metal, try something else first.
If your door sticks because it’s warped or scratched up at the bottom, consider sanding down the area where it rubs against its frame so there is less friction when opening and closing it.
FIX A LOOSE DOORKNOB
Loose doorknobs can be frustrating to deal with. If you have a loose knob on your front door, it’s probably because the screws have come loose in the latch or other hardware at the top of your door.
To fix this problem, simply tighten the screws with a screwdriver. If they don’t seem to be going in that easily, give them some more time and try again later. If tightening them again doesn’t work after several attempts, it may be something else—like a worn-out knob—that needs attention instead.
UNCLOG A DRAIN
Before you start, make sure you have a plunger.
Next, fill the sink with enough water to cover most of your hands and plunge away. It should feel sort of like pulling a plug from a bathtub drain. Try using a snake tool instead if that doesn’t do it.
STOP THE SQUEAKS
Loose subflooring. If your squeaks are coming from the subflooring, you may have to try tightening the screws in your baseboards (if applicable). The baseboard should be firmly attached to the wall, but if it’s loose or wobbly, this can cause an uneven foundation that leads to squeaks. If tightening these screws doesn’t do the trick, pull up some floorboards and inspect their joints for damage and missing nails or screws.
Loose floorboards. Cracks in boards can lead them to pull apart slightly when stepped on, causing a loud creak. This is due to weakened glue bonds between individual planks and joists underneath them. It can also make walking across these areas uncomfortable due to shifting beneath your feet while standing on top.
REPLACE A KITCHEN FAUCET
Shut off the water supply to the faucet by turning off its valve.
Remove the old faucet by unscrewing it from the sink and removing any hoses connected to it.
Install your new kitchen faucet using adjustable wrenches and plumber tape on all threaded connections.
Test that everything works properly before putting everything back together by manually running cold water through each tap.
Determine what you can do yourself. Certain repairs are best left to the experts, such as replacing some outlets and installing new electrical wiring. However, if you already know when it comes to these, it’s better that you do it yourself. For electrical products, there are various options on Firefly. If you’re unsure about a repair, ask a family member or friend for advice on whether it’s something you can handle or not.
Be sure to take all necessary safety precautions when using tools, cleaning chemicals, and other potentially hazardous products in your home repair efforts!
Author’s Bio:
Rosette has a knack for anything DIY. She spent her younger years learning about the different hardware tools, lighting, and equipment in the hopes of establishing a hardware business in the future. Her career options may have changed, but today, she continues to write so passionately about her first love.
