Whether or not you’re transferring into a fixer-upper in Seattle or a more recent residence in Nashville, a brand new residence can include fairly the to-do checklist. Calling contractors and specialists may prevent time and stress, but it surely’ll go away a dent in your funds. You’d be stunned what number of DIY residence repairs you are able to do your self with only a few instruments. Listed here are 13 easy repairs you possibly can deal with your self as you agree into your new residence.”
1. Patch small holes in your house’s partitions
Instruments wanted:
- Spackle
- Putty knife
- Paint
If your house’s earlier proprietor mounted a TV or hung photos and decorations, there’s a good likelihood that some small nail holes have been left behind. A bit of spackle, a putty knife, and a few touch-up paint are all that you must make the partitions look model new. Extra intensive drywall harm may must be patched with joint compound.
2. Contact up scuffed paint
Instruments wanted:
- Paint
- Small brush or curler
- Painter’s tape
Little scuffs and chips in paint are simple to repair however make a giant distinction in how clear your house seems. Preserve small cans of matching paint available and contact up as wanted. Use a small brush or curler for seamless mixing. This retains your partitions trying contemporary with out a full repaint.
3. Repair leaky taps
Instruments wanted:
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
- O-rings or washers
Leaky taps will not be solely a nuisance, however they’ll additionally contribute to the next water invoice. Most leaks may be mounted by changing the washer or O-ring, which prices only a few {dollars} and takes lower than an hour.
4. Substitute worn-out climate stripping in doorways and home windows
Instruments wanted:
- Climate stripping
- Utility knife or scissors
- Tape measure
- Screws
- Screwdriver
Climate stripping round doorways and home windows can go a good distance on the subject of insulating your house, however worn-out strips can let in drafts and lift vitality payments.. Substitute previous climate stripping with new strips to enhance consolation and decrease your utility payments. It’s a straightforward DIY residence restore that doesn’t require a variety of time or instruments.
5. Restore a operating bathroom
Instruments wanted:
- Alternative flapper
- Pliers
- Towel
A continually operating bathroom may go unnoticed while you initially transfer in, however you’ll wish to tackle it rapidly so it doesn’t waste water and run up your invoice. Typically, the perpetrator is a worn-out flapper that wants changing. To repair this, merely flip off the water provide, swap in a brand new flapper (which you’ll find at a ironmongery shop), and switch the water again on. In only a few minutes, the issue is solved
6. Tighten free cupboard handles and hinges
Instruments wanted:
- Screwdriver
- New screws or handles (if crucial)
Free cupboard knobs and handles are simple to miss however simply as simple to repair. Use a screwdriver to tighten screws or substitute them in the event that they’re stripped. You possibly can even swap outdated {hardware} for a extra trendy look. This small change makes your kitchen or rest room really feel refreshed with out an invasive overhaul or transform.
7. Unclog sluggish drains
Instruments wanted:
- Drain snake
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Scorching water
Whereas it is perhaps tempting to name a plumber when drainage points come up in your house, the answer may truly be inside attain. Earlier than calling within the execs, attempt clearing rest room and kitchen drains your self. Typically, a drain snake or a easy baking-soda-and-vinegar combine does the trick.
8. Cease doorways from squeaking
Instruments wanted:
- WD-40 or petroleum jelly
- Screwdriver
- Rag
Nobody likes squeaky doorways of their residence, however they’re surprisingly simple to repair. Merely spray just a little WD-40 or apply petroleum jelly to the hinges and swing the door backwards and forwards to work it in. If that doesn’t get the job finished, attempt tightening the screws in your door’s hinges. This fast restore immediately makes your house really feel quieter and extra polished.
9. Substitute burned-out mild bulbs with LEDs
Instruments wanted:
- LED lightbulbs
- Step stool or ladder
The appropriate lighting can rework any residence. Swapping out previous bulbs for LEDs saves cash and brightens each room. Select bulbs that match the sunshine tone you need, whether or not that’s heat lighting for cozy areas or cooler for kitchens and bogs. LEDs final for much longer than conventional bulbs, that means fewer journeys up the ladder. It’s one of many easiest DIY vitality upgrades you can also make.
10. Examine and substitute air filters
Instruments wanted:
- New air filter
- Screwdriver
Many DIY residence tasks are obvious to the bare eye, however new air filters are simple to miss. Changing filters improves your house’s air high quality whereas maintaining your HVAC system operating effectively. Most filters slide proper out of a panel in your furnace or wall unit. Examine the dimensions earlier than shopping for replacements. Filters ought to be modified each 1-3 months, relying on elements like utilization and whether or not you could have pets. It’s a easy behavior that may present main well being and luxury advantages.
11. Silence creaky wood flooring
Instruments wanted:
- Talcum powder or powdered graphite
- Broom
- Material
Hardwood flooring add character to any residence, however creaky flooring could make your house sound previous and worn out. Fortunately, there’s a easy repair. Sprinkle some talcum powder or powdered graphite between the boards and sweep it into the cracks. This will help lubricate the wooden so the floorboards don’t rub noisily in opposition to one another. It’s a fast trick that brings peace and quiet again to your house.
12. Clear your dryer vent
Instruments wanted:
- Vacuum (with hose attachment)
- Dryer vent brush
- Screwdriver
Lint buildup in dryer vents is a significant fireplace hazard, so this process ought to be a precedence proper after transferring in. Disconnect the vent hose and use a vacuum or vent brush to take away lint. Ensure the surface vent is evident as effectively. This improves dryer effectivity and helps hold your house protected.
13. Take a look at smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Instruments wanted:
- Step stool
- Alternative batteries
Security ought to all the time come first. Take a look at your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors by holding the button down till the alarm sounds. If the alarm doesn’t sound, it’s time for a change of batteries. Ensure you substitute the batteries at the least annually and swap out detectors each 10 years. It’s a five-minute process that dramatically improves the security of your house.
