Most homeowners have a long list of tasks that they want to get to around the house. These chores are often dreaded and put off for as long as possible. They tend to consist of repairs and cosmetic work for the most part. A lot of people put them off simply because they aren’t sure where to start. Hiring a tradesperson is always an option.
However, there are a number of repairs that you should be able to conduct yourself with the right tools and skillset. Read on to learn more.
Your Toolbox
Before you can even begin to attempt any home repairs, you will first need to make sure that you have the right tools. Most of the time, you will need the most basic of tools in your toolbox, and luckily most people do tend to have these tools to hand. You should have a claw hammer, a variety of screwdrivers but especially a Phillips and a flathead, and a collection of Allen keys – which often come with your flatpack furniture, so be sure to keep a hold of them.
You should also have a saw, pliers, a drill, duct tape, sandpaper and a spanner in your toolbox too. All of these items represent the most basic of tools that everyone should have in their toolbox, and thankfully, these are often all you need when conducting home repairs. If your toolbox is lacking, then it would make sense to invest in the tools mentioned above.
You can often pick them up pretty cheaply, although you do obviously get what you pay for, meaning that very cheap tools might not be as effective. There is also always the option to hire tools too, which might be advisable if you cannot afford to purchase your own or if you won’t get much use out of them.
Home Repairs that You Can do Yourself
There are a number of home repairs that you should easily be able to do yourself, regardless of your level of DIY knowledge. Maintaining your floor is one of the best ways to eliminate cold draughts and keep your house warmer, which is welcome during the cost-of-living crisis.
If you discover a creaky or squeaky floorboard, then all you need to do is remove the old nails; you can use the back of a claw hammer and simply replace the nails using the old holes. If, after this, it is still squeaky or creaky, then you might need to replace the board.
In the spirit of saving money on your energy bills, bleeding a radiator can also help because it increases the efficiency of the heating system. Radiators can trap air in them, which means that they don’t work as well as they should, and it also wastes energy. To bleed a radiator, you need to find the valve, which is usually in one of the top corners of the radiator. Before you turn the valve, you should put some towels down because it is likely to leak. Turn the valve anti-clockwise, and this should release the built-up air.
Dripping taps account for a lot of water wastage, and while they won’t be driving your water bills up by much, it is still worth fixing because leaky taps can lead to dampness, mould, and other issues. Most of the time. Often, a leaky tap can be attributed to an issue with the washer; over time, they can become worn and start to lose efficacy.
It is easier to replace a washer if you have pillar taps. Turn off the water mains first; then, you will simply need to replace the washer by unscrewing the tap, using a screwdriver to release the washer and replacing it. Always put the plug in. Otherwise, you might lose some of the small pieces. It could also be a little messy, which is why it is worth having towels to hand.
It’s worth pointing out that some repairs may not even be worth it. Depending on the size of the issue, and the cost, it could be worth it to sell up and move. Fortunately, plenty of properties are available for purchase that you can browse online, so you are not short of options. It’s worth considering all possibilities to get the best outcome for you and your family. Look into repairs first, but this could be a wake-up call that it’s time to move.
The Most Common Areas of Home Repair
There are several areas within the home that tend to need more repairs than others. Firstly, the kitchen is often one of the rooms which needs more maintenance and therefore requires more repairs than others. They tend to vary from leaking taps to issues with appliances. The most common issues tend to be with the sink; blocked sinks can be a nightmare, leaky taps, wobbly cupboard drawers and sticking drawers.
For the most part, they can be fixed without assistance. However, it is always better to conduct the repair as soon as you notice the issue as opposed to waiting because it might get worse.
Roof repairs are also somewhat common for homeowners in Britain, especially for those that live in older properties. Over time, shingles and roof tiles can crack or break, the cement begins to erode, and the gutters become blocked and broken, all of which can compromise the roof. If your roof is compromised, then water is bound to enter your property which can cause dampness or, in extreme cases, causes cracks and can damage your plaster.
Roof repairs tend to require the help of a professional, as will fixing any damaged plaster inside your home. Luckily, you can use MyBuilder to find plasterers near you to come and fix the damage.
Older houses are also more likely to experience issues with their windows too. A broken window is, of course, going to cause issues, especially in the winter months. In some cases, the seal may have eroded or decayed; you may also have cracks in the glazing. Damaged windows can cause a number of issues like condensation, dampness or heat loss. These issues, much like issues with the roof, will likely require a professional to fix.
Speaking of issues that can affect the warmth of your property, boiler issues are also, unfortunately, fairly common. They tend to be one of the more expensive categories of home repair. In some instances, you might be able to fix them yourself if the issue is the pilot light or something else easily remedied. However, anything beyond that will likely need a professional because boiler safety is paramount to ensuring the safety of the inhabitants of the property.
Finally, bathroom repairs also tend to be fairly common. They tend to be similar in nature to kitchen repairs, centring around water like leaking taps, showerheads or plumbing issues like broken toilets. You might also experience issues with the extractor fan or the door lock too. These issues are often somewhat easy to fix, regardless of your DIY knowledge, unless, of course, the issue is with the plumbing, in which case you will likely need a qualified plumber.
In Conclusion
There are a number of perks to owning a home; however, maintaining the property and conducting repairs can be incredibly tedious. Suring up your DIY knowledge and putting together even a rudimentary toolbox of tools is beneficial.
You can save money by conducting the repairs yourself, and you might even discover that you have a propensity for DIY and working with your hands that you didn’t know about.
Also read: 6 Easy Ways To Enhance a Waterfront Home
