Overlooked Home Repairs You Can Tackle Yourself

It’s tempting to call a repairman any time you find a new problem cropping up in your home space. Not only does it ensure the job will be done right, it also takes the time and trouble off your shoulders and puts it into the hands of an expert instead. But if you’re an aspiring do-it-yourselfer and you’re willing to give some of the usual repairs a go, you can save money performing your own simple repairs and expand your catalog of home upkeep knowledge at the same time. We’ve gathered a few common and easy home repairs for you to try tackling yourself. 

1. Clogged Garbage Disposal—One of the most aggravating situations can be easily fixed with a twist of the key that comes with the unit; this usually dislodges the debris that prevents the blade from spinning. If the backup is a bit greater than expected, try plunging the drain until the offending substances come back up through the pipes. And ALWAYS make sure your disposal is turned off and unplugged before reaching into the drain to remove the gunk. 
2. Caulking Around Windows—Every so often, the caulking that seals your windows can crack due to shrinking or settling, potentially letting in outside air that drives up your energy bills. Grab a tube of silicone caulking and a gun at the hardware store and keep it on hand in the garage or under the sink. Then inspect your window frames once a year and add a little new caulking if you find any cracks. Make sure to smooth it out nicely and repaint to match the surrounding wall once applied, if necessary.
3. Running Toilet – You can purchase a new flushing mechanism at any hardware store; make sure you choose the right size and shape to fit your model. Turn off the water leading to the toilet, then flush to drain the tank and use a towel to soak up any remaining liquid. Remove the nut that holds the old flusher in place and install the new one. This may take a little maneuvering, but once you have the flusher hooked the handle and all connections tightened up, you can turn the water back on, fill the tank and test your handiwork. 
4. Dripping Sinks – If you find a slow drip coming from your kitchen or bathroom sinks, it could be that the O ring inside the faucet head. You can buy these relatively inexpensively at the hardware store and keep a few on hand for quick repairs. Simply unscrew the faucet head (the piece at the end where the water comes out), separate the pieces, insert the new O ring and reattach everything. The drip should be taken care of.
5. Backed-Up Shower Drain – Hair and soap scum can build up quickly in your shower, causing a definite back-up that lets water pool around your feet. For quick and easy maintenance when this happens, purchase a plastic snake in the plumbing section of a hardware or big box store and keep it on hand. When you notice a bit of clogging, feed the snake down the drain and dig out the hair to free the clog. Be prepared: the amount you end up pulling out may surprise you!

Of course, if your problems persist beyond these simple fixes, you should definitely call a professional to figure out what the greater issue is. But barring any outrageous troubles, you should be able to make these easy repairs all on your own —and you’ll feel great about your home maintenance skills when you’re done!