Are you looking for easy ways to spruce up your home and improve your living space or to turn and sell it? Do you have a limited budget and enough time on your hands? DIY ideas are the way to go. When tackling a home improvement project, saving as much money as possible is at the top of the list. Professional labor comes at an expense, especially when it involves quick fixes or something you can do with little guidance.
The good news is you can complete a DIY house repair project even as a beginner. It could be something as simple as installing a new shoe rack, or adding an extra room under the stairway. The following tips should help you get started in your house repair process and improvement if you’re willing to walk all the way down this road.
Fixing Leaking Pipes
Houses can have all sorts of plumbing leaks. Some are too serious and can flood the entire house, while some are not so severe. The solution is to cut off the leaky part and get a replacement for it. Unfortunately, it is easier said. Most plumbing jobs are best left to professionals you can find on Nuwber. However, plumbing tutorials come in handy in helping you get the right replacement and install it perfectly. Depending on whether it is a small leak, you can get it patched up by tightening a slip-nut.
Refinishing Hardwood
If your hardwood floor is damaged enough to warrant buffing, then it is probably time to grease your elbows and refinish those floors. It does not have to be as daunting a process as it first sounds. Start by examining the extent of the damage. An overall coating of varnish will adequately cover some minor scratches. But if your floor is reasonably damaged, you might need to fix it yourself.
The first step is to prepare the room, cover repair patches using wood fillers, and dry it before sanding. Finally, clean the floor with a hardwood floor cleaner.
Unclogging Blocked or Running Toilets
Toilets are barely on anyone’s mind for improvements unless it gets blocked. A malfunctioning toilet can ultimately cause havoc. Unfortunately, that happens one too many times. Here is where some DIY repair hacks come in.
You can clear blockages by plunging the drain or running an auger. You can also use dish soap to push down blocking material. Drain snakes can also be a straightforward tactic for unblocking toilets or sinks. Nevertheless, clogs are hard to remove and could need a certified plumber’s assistance.
Fixing Loud Hinges
Squeaky sounds are annoying. If not fixed, they could cause serious issues. Whenever you notice a squeaky hinge, point out the specific one, clean it and tighten any loose screws. Applying a lubricant such as olive oil, paraffin, or silicon helps to silence it. Lubricants are a short-term solution; you might have to keep applying them often whenever it dries out.
Unclogging Garbage Disposals
Using garbage disposal to grind food waste can jam the drainage system. Simple DIY tips will help you get your sink up and draining without having an expert do it for you.
Disconnect the source powering the disposal unit. Force down sink water using a plunger. If a clog is present, it should be visible when you take a peek down the garbage disposal chamber. Don’t attempt to push anything down using your hand. Instead, remove any loose gunk with pliers or tongs, or shove it down with a blunt wooden stick.
Fixing Wobbly Showerheads
Poorly installed showerheads will eventually get loose. Loose showerheads often cause a leakage leaving water paddles. When your showerhead gets wobbly or loose, you probably do not have to replace it or get professional help.
When the showerhead starts moving around, apply masking tape on the wall to hold it in place. Apply expansion foam to support the showerhead to ensure it is secure and moves freely.
Getting Rid Of Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn ceilings were a thing in the 80s, but the trend is now out of date due to its ability to capture dust. Before doing anything, have the ceiling tested for asbestos. If the test turns positive, get a professional to help you with the job. If the result is negative, it’s DIY time.
Get a utility knife to scrape the chips out to have a relatively smooth surface without applying water to the surface. Skim a coat on the new design to create a new texture. You can opt to repaint your ceiling for a completely refreshed look.
Repainting Walls
When your paint starts peeling off or fading out, get it redone. Fresh paint brings out an entirely new appearance to the house. You do not require a trained painter to do your repainting job for you. However, a few tips from a knowledgeable person or the internet on choosing and mixing paints to get the desired color could be helpful.
Painting is relatively cheap but sensitive. One simple mistake could make you redo the whole process. To avoid mistakes, plan your approach, choose colors, gather all your essential tools, and start painting.
Covering Roof Vents
Roof vents have no permanent solutions. Throwing caulk on them is only a temporary fix. A long-lasting solution would be to replace the entire damaged vent. Pull out the duct by removing the reinforcements, get a new replacement, and re-nail the shingles.
Changing Broken Circuit Breakers
It is common for circuit breakers to be accidentally switched off during an electronic installation in your home. Sometimes when you think there is an issue with the breaker, this is usually the case; therefore, it should not be replaced.
However, when the circuit breaker is broken, you can get another one and install it without employing an electrician. You have to be careful when doing it yourself so that you don’t create more electrical issues. When replacing a broken circuit, ensure power is turned off to avoid an electric shock.
Conclusion
Sprucing up your house by making repairs yourself can be fun yet dangerous. To make it all worth the effort, customize the space to whatever feels like you, and have fun while at it. Enjoy not spending the extra bucks and save it for your next lunch date.