Are you experiencing home maintenance issues? If you’re trying to assess whether or not you can handle home issues yourself or if you need to call for maintenance assistance, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s explore some repairs you can do yourself and some you should leave to the pros.
Repairs You Can Do Yourself
There are some repairs that you should leave to professionals. Here are various solutions to home maintenance issues ranging from simple to major repairs to help you navigate your home maintenance.
Replace Air Filters
Consistently replacing your air filters can help support how long your heating and cooling units last and their level of performance. Air filters can increase your energy efficiency and prevent mold as well. You should change your air filters once a month, although some filters have a shelf life of 90 days. You can clean your air filters regularly if you opt for reusable ones.
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Minor Plumbing Issues
You should leave most plumbing issues to the professionals that know what they’re doing to avoid causing more damage to your home. However, you can make some simple repairs, like unclogging a drain and cleaning your garbage disposal.
You can use a plunger to unclog drains in your sinks or toilets. You can also remove the stopper from the drain and remove hair or buildup to help unclog your sink. Garbage disposals are commonly clogged and have a relatively easy solution.
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You can remove foul smells in your sink with baking soda and vinegar which can also help clean your drain. Let half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar work their magic for a few moments and flush it down the drain with hot water. If that doesn’t clean your disposal and clearing the drain trap doesn’t suffice, it might be time to consider calling a professional.
Clean Your Washer and Dryer
Keeping your washer and dryer in top condition is a quick process that can help you avoid calling a professional. You can clean your washer by adding two cups of vinegar and a quarter cup of baking soda and starting your wash cycle with hot water. Some washing machines come with self-cleaning cycles.
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You can wipe down the rubber seal and inside of your washer drum regularly to avoid mold and mildew buildup. Front-load washing machines are prone to these issues since they never completely dry after they run their cycles. You should always clean out your dryer vent and empty your dryer duct after each load of laundry. Unplug your dryer and pull it away from the wall to vacuum the lint trapped in your dryer duct.
Fix a Running Toilet
A running toilet might intimidate you and make you want to call a plumber. Don’t fret. You can turn the valve behind your toilet to help stop water from the toilet, but the main water valve shuts off water to your entire home.
Locating your main water valve and shutting off your water supply can help with other problems like burst pipes or other minor plumbing problems. Fixing a running toilet is a relatively simple process that doesn’t take very long. Begin with testing the flapper on your toilet with a stick. You might have to purchase a new flapper if the water stops due to the flapper not sealing correctly.
If the valve leaks, this is an opportunity where you will need to know how to shut off your main water supply. Check your fill valve for leaks and remove and replace your old toilet fill valve. Don’t forget to connect your new fill tube and turn your water back on to test your toilet’s flushing.
Repairs for Professionals
How do you know when it’s time for a repair or if you need a total renovation? It all boils down to understanding the concept of what items can be repaired and which are worth renovating. Renovations are often a more straightforward solution to issues, although they can be more costly. New home features like windows, garage doors or appliances are considered renovations.
Repairs are trying to bring something back to life by making them perform better than they are or fixing them to work again. Sometimes, trying to repair something yourself can cause extra damage or injuries, leading to unnecessary expenses. Some repairs you should leave to the professionals are repairing your garage door, roof repairs, installing flooring and removing asbestos and electrical wiring.
Home Maintenance Tips
You should invest in the general upkeep of your home to keep it in optimal condition. There are many maintenance issues that you can avoid with proper preparation and care. Utilize these tips to keep your home in good shape and know when to call a professional.
