When you own your own home, many little things can go wrong. Broken faucets, clogged up toilets, leaky pipes- and it’s up to you to figure out how to fix these little problems. Teaching yourself a few maintenance skills could be the solution.Â
You don’t need to call a pro every time you need home repair. It can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to hire someone to care for your maintenance problems. Here are a few DIY skills that every homeowner needs to know to care for their home and save extra cash.Â
Basic Plumbing
Calling a plumber can cost an arm and a leg, so why not do it yourself? You can learn basic tasks like fixing a leaky faucet or unclogging an inefficient shower drain. It’s also important to locate your water supply so that you can shut off your water during repairs and prevent further damage.
To learn more about how your plumbing system works in your house, check out this quick and easy video!
Clean The Gutters
It’s not a glamorous chore by any stretch, but cleaning out your gutters is an essential maintenance skill to have. All the muck builds up until it causes a crack or leak that makes your gutter fall apart. If you do the work yourself ahead of time, it can save you a lot of headaches in the long run.
If your gutters end up breaking and require repair, professional help can cost around $370. Full replacement is even more expensive, averaging between $1,600-$2,200. Make your gutters last by cleaning them out 2-4 times a year.Â
Caulking TilesÂ
Caulking helps you fill in any cracks and holes you have between two different surfaces. For example, if your bathroom isn’t filtering out the humidity from your showers, there might be a gap between your shower tiles and the wall underneath them. To fix it, you can reseal the edges with a flexible caulk material that fills in the gap.Â
Another convenient spot to utilize your caulking skills is the kitchen sink. Often when you do dishes, water splashes onto the backdrop and wears down the caulk that’s already holding it all together. This can cause water damage and allow for mold to grow. You can purchase caulk sealant at your local home improvement store at a low, affordable price.
You don’t necessarily have to learn maintenance skills, but they can save you money over time.
If you live in a cold climate, also consider this article on A Homeowner’s Guide to Frozen Pipes!
