5 Home Repairs You Can Do Yourself

Before you reach for the phone to call an expert, take a minute to assess the situation.  Perhaps the "problem" can be solved by learning how to do it yourself instead of paying someone else to do it.  Here are 5 home repairs you can do yourself:



Unclogging Drain:  You can usually unclog your own drains without the help of a plumber.  Try this natural drain cleaner you can make yourself.  And if that doesn't work, you can probably reach into the sink with your hands to try and pull that gunk out.  If that still doesn't work, use the plunger, although you may have to use one that's specific to sinks and showers.  If the blockage is still there, perhaps you need to clear the sink trap, which you can easily do.  If the trap is clear and it's still clogged, you might want to opt for using a drain snake, which is a long device that will go around the corners of the pipe as you push it down the drain.  Use it to break up the debris.



Unclogging Toilet:  If your toilet is clogged, add hot water and dishwashing liquid into the bowl before plunging to better break up the clog.  If the toilet doesn't clear, you might want to invest in a toilet auger.



Dripping Faucet:   If you have a leaky faucet, all you need to do is to remove and replace the washer, o-ring, or seal.  Get the parts from a hardware store, and make sure it's fitted tightly.



Caulking:  If the caulking is looking worn, it may be time to redo it.  Instead of calling in a professional, you can do it yourself as this is one of the more simple home repairs.  Remove the old caulk and completely drain the surface of any residue, then add masking tape on both sides of where you want to caulk to keep the caulking clean and even.  There should be 1/8 of an inch between the tape.  Use a caulk gun and squeeze with consistent pressure without stopping to keep the caulking even.  Smooth out the caulk so it looks more concave and molds against the surface.  Remove the tape before the caulk skins over.



Wall Holes:  You can fix small to medium holes in the wall without calling in a expert by applying patches over them and applying compound to cover them up.  You then sand it down and paint over it.  Tiny holes can be covered up with caulk and sparkle.



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