Did you know that you don’t have to call a contractor every time you have some damages to your home? You can save yourself that extra money by practicing some DIY skills for those minor damages. Repairing and maintaining your home is your duty and knowing some DIY tips can save the day in case of an emergency. So, what are those repairs and improvements you can do without the help of a professional? Find out in this article.
Repair Cracks in the Driveway
Concrete is a very durable material for construction, but despite the strength, it still gets damaged over time. If your driveway receives heavy traffic, you’re more likely to get cracks. You, however, don’t need to worry about this because fixing the problem is a no brainer. No need to waste a lot of money hiring a contractor to do the job because this calls for a simple do-it-yourself. As long as you understand the type of crack and have all the necessary materials, you’ll be a few steps ahead of getting your driveway back to normal. You can do this by using a dry concrete mix for patching. If you’re repairing large cracks, you can make the concrete wet for a better job. If the mix is looking a little runny, you need to make the concrete stronger.
Fix Leaky Pipes
Leaky pipes often happen in the joint areas, and you can fix them yourself if not too damaged. How to do this depends on the exact location of the leak. If the leakage is at the joints, then the work is as simple as tightening them. If the pipe itself is leaking, you need to remove the damaged section and replace it with a new one. You need a patch kit to do this job. You can buy this kit at your local hardware store.
Patching a Hole in Drywall
Holes will often happen in your walls, but you don’t have to spend lots of money to get them patched. You can do it yourself using an adhesive aluminum patch with simple tools like a taping knife and a joint compound. Ensure you clean up the rough edges then stick a patch where the hole is. Spread the joint compound with the knife and leave it to dry. Spread another wider coat over the first one and allow it to dry before filling with the last coat. After the last coat dries up, you can now sand and paint the area and you’ll end up with a nice smooth wall.
Re-grouting Tile
Re-grouting tile is also a common problem, but the good news is that you can fix it yourself. When dirt finds its way into the surface of the tile grout, it can cause discoloration and damage. Ensure you choose the right grout to repair this damage. Different types of grout include sanded, epoxy, acrylic latex, and unsanded. Figure out which type will work for you by measuring the space between your tiles. Also, ensure you get a matching color. To start the application, clean up the area then remove the damaged grout. Follow the manufacturer’s directions from start to finish, and you will end up with something that looks like it was done by a professional.
Unclog the Faucet
With time, your faucet experiences mineral buildup that can interfere with its normal flow. This is not a problem at all because you only need 5 to 10 minutes to repair it in a do-it-yourself project. All you have to do is close all the drain stoppers, wrap the duct so that you don’t scratch the aerator, and then unscrew. Use a toothbrush to brush your faucet and rinse. If the residue buildup is too much, you can soak with vinegar. Don’t leave the vinegar too long, rinse out and see the flow.
Cleaning the Gutters
If your gutters are clogged, you will have problems with a pool of water around your house, flooded basement, or water seeping under the siding. You know how much damage water can cause your property. The growth of molds and rot not only causes serious damages but also puts your health at risk. But you don’t have to worry because you can clean the gutters yourself and unclog them. A good way to do this is to clean every spring and fall even before you start experiencing any clogging signs. Have someone help you out with this project because there are things you need help with like holding the ladder and clearing debris.
Repair Your Carpets
If you have woven carpets, you’re going to see loose fibers often, especially if you have pets. You can fix this by yourself before they become bigger, and you’re left with no alternative than to do a replacement. You don’t need to replace your carpet that still looks new. To repair, tug the loose area and find the attachment point. Snip it off close to the backing. Surround the area with a painter’s tape and squeeze a carpet seam sealer into it. Ensure you always vacuum the heavy traffic area because the dirt can easily damage your carpet.
Painting
You need to maintain the aesthetic value of your home by painting it often. Sometimes you might have those repaired holes of cracks in your walls, making it appear unpleasant. Or you might want to paint the entire room to make it more appealing. Well, you should own some paintbrushes in your garage before thinking about this. You can add that flair and style to your home without needing the help of professional painters. Make sure you don’t see any roller marks or sloppy trim paint on the wall after you’re done.
If you have the time and want to save some extra cash, there are several repairs and home improvement tasks that you can do all by yourself. However, you need to be careful not to cause further destruction while attempting the repairs. Understand all the tools, materials, and permits required to do these tasks. Prepare in advance so that you can tackle everything within a short time.
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