Photo by Roselyn Tirado on Unsplash

 

Owning your own home has a lot of advantages, but when you’re the one paying the mortgage, the buck stops with you for the upkeep of your property. No more calling the landlord when something needs to be repaired. 

 

While you could call out a handyman (or woman) or a contractor for every little thing, it makes sense to learn how to do small tasks yourself. Not only will it save you money, but you’ll learn good maintenance skills that will last you the rest of your life. 

A note of caution

You should only ever attempt and DIY or repairs that you feel comfortable with. Many jobs involving electrical wires, gas supply, or working at height should be carried out by a professional. For broken window panes, cover the existing pane so that glass can’t fall out and call Mr. Rogers Windows to replace them. 

Fix a leaky faucet

That constant drip drip drip that’s been driving you crazy doesn’t necessarily need a plumber. Most ofter the dripping is caused by the degradation of washers and seals within the taps. Luckily these are fairly easy to replace. 

 

Before you begin, turn off the water via the stopcock. This is usually found under the sink. Then run the tap until all the residual water in the system has gone. Then take the faucet apart (take photos if you aren’t good at remembering) and replace the washers and seals inside. Before you put everything back together, give everything a clean and tighten up any loose fittings. 

Patch a wall

A crack or a hole in the wall can spoil the entire look of a room. But before you call someone in or hang a picture in from of it, try fixing it yourself first. It’s very easy to do. 

 

For small cracks, you can simply apply the spackle with a spatula directly over the area, making it as smooth and flat as possible. Wait for it to dry, and then use very fine sandpaper until it’s smooth. Then you can simply paint over it.

 

For slightly larger holes, you can buy a kit that also includes a sticky mesh. This is placed over the hole in order to give the spackle something to adhere to. 

Paint and decorate 

This is one job where you could save yourself a lot of money by doing it yourself. Painting a room is quite easy when you have the right tools. Ensure that all surfaces are flat and clean before you start. Sand down any woodwork you’re going to be painting and then ensure you’ve protected any flooring or furniture that might be at risk. You’ll need both paint rollers and brushes in order to cover larger areas as well as cutting in around woodwork, windows, and doors. 

 

Follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions for the number of coats and time to dry. 

Unclog a sink or drain

If you notice that your sink is draining slower than usual, or isn’t draining at all, there are a few things you can try before calling a plumber. 

 

First, try using a plunger. Place it over the drain and push up and down repeatedly until the water starts to drain away. 

 

Many people swear by a combination of white vinegar and baking soda down the plughole. Leave for as long as possible and then pour boiling water down the drain. 

 

There are also some inexpensive tools you can buy online that will help clear your bathtub or shower of hair and soap scum. They look like a long, thick cable tie, with barbs on them. You simply feed it down the drain as far as you can, then lift it back up. It pulls all hair out with it. You’ll be horrified at what comes out but your drain will be clear. 

Reseal a bath or sink

Sinks, baths, and shower enclosures need sealing with caulk to prevent water from getting into the walls, floorboards, etc. Caulk can degrade over time or become discolored and moldy so you’re going to want to remove it and replace it. 

 

Simply remove the existing caulk with a knife, Clean the area thoroughly and leave it to dry. An alcohol or vinegar-based wipe is best as it won’t leave a residue. Then replace the caulk. You can find ready-to-use tubes that are really simple to apply. Just smooth it off and leave it to dry completely. 

 

Takeaways

Being able to take care of small repair and maintenance jobs on your property yourself is very satisfying. It will save you money and make you more self-sufficient. Only try what you are comfortable with and check on YouTube for some tutorials to guide you.