- It’s perfectly understandable that many people are intimidated by home maintenance. You don’t want to break anything, or make a small problem worse. But, there are a surprising number of simple home fixes that anyone can handle regardless of their experience level. So, if you’re looking to spruce up your home, or just save a few bucks on basic home repair costs, take a look at these simple maintenance tips before you spend any of your hard-earned money on hiring a handyman:
Noisy doors
If you’re getting that haunted house sound every time you open your bedroom door, all you need to do to fix it is grease those door hinges. Just spray a lubricant, such as wd-40 onto the hinges while moving the door back and forth to help work the lubricant into the nooks and crannies. No wd-40 on hand? Try rubbing the hinges down with petroleum jelly instead.
Noisy hardwood flooring
If you don’t want to go through the trouble (and expense) of refinishing your floor, you can temporarily fix your squeaky hardwood by spreading some talcum powder over the noisy areas and sweeping it into the cracks between the panels. Just make sure that you remove all of the powder if and when you do decide to refinish the floor.
Sticky vinyl windows
If your vinyl windows or sliding doors aren’t opening and closing smoothly, it’s probably due to buildup in the channels. To get them sliding easily again, try spraying a dry ptfe lubricant, such as wd-40 specialist dirt and dust resistant dry lube, on the contact points and then wiping it off with a rag. You’ll want to avoid oil lubricants, which can attract dirt and sometimes damage the vinyl, which will only make your problem worse.
Broken or leaky shutoff valve
If you have a leaking or broken shutoff valve under your sink or behind your toilet, there’s usually no need to call the plumber. Most shutoff valves are quite easy to fix, and even easier to replace. First, you’ll want to turn off the main water valve to your home (if not, you’ll be in danger of flooding your bathroom or kitchen the moment you unscrew the shutoff valve). After your water is shut off, loosen the compression nut on your shutoff valve, and then unscrew the stem, remove the washer and take the washer to your local hardware store to find a replacement. Be sure to clean out the valve body before inserting the new washer. If you’re still having problems with your valve after that, simply remove the whole thing and buy a replacement at your hardware store (usually around $5-$10).
Scuffed linoleum floors
If you want to get rid of those unsightly scuffs on your kitchen or bathroom linoleum, all you need is a little good old-fashioned toothpaste. Take some white toothpaste and a dry cloth, and simply rub the scuffs away. If that doesn’t work, spray a little wd-40 on a towel and rub the scuffs lightly. Just make sure you get rid of the leftover wd-40 afterward with a little soap and water to avoid slips and falls.
Water stained walls and ceilings
Most people go straight to repainting a wall or ceiling to get rid of a water stain. But, some water stains can be erased with this simple and easy trick: fill a spray bottle with a bleach and water solution, using 1-part bleach to 10-parts water. Then just spray the unsightly spot and wait for about a day or two. Note: protect your eyes and skin from bleach with gloves and goggles, and cover your floor with plastic to avoid bleach spots. If the bleach doesn’t do the trick, you can also try a mold and mildew remover, which can be found at most grocery and home goods stores.
Hone your home improvement skills
These tips will help you liven up your home and keep it in tip-top shape from day to day. But, if you really want to ramp up your home improvement skills, or progress from simple maintenance to building and designing, visit ChiefApprentice.com today and get your Chief Architect X9 training book. Whether you’re looking to redesign your closet and shelving space, thinking about a full kitchen remodel, or looking into designing your own home from top to bottom, our chief architect training guides will take you step by step through the entire process.
feb 15 2018 +