Relax. Here’s how to make short work of every common repair annoyance.
These are the 7 most-needed repair tips every homeowner should know.
1. Fix a Leaky Toilet
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Running toilets not only rob sleep, they waste water and jack up your bill. Here’s how to change a flapper — the usual suspect — and solve other likely problems.
Related: How to Fix a Sweaty Toilet
2. Repair Drywall Holes
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The hardest part of drywall repair is making the patch flush with the existing wall. A “pumpkin patch” is an easy repair that cuts down on sanding.
Related: Another Clever Way to Fix Drywall — with Makeup Sponges!
3. Adjust Cabinet Doors
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Changes in humidity can make cabinet doors rub, refuse to close, or just look cockeyed. Adjusting them is easy and generally requires only a screwdriver.
4. Open a Stuck Window
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Windows stick when paint, dust, or moisture builds. Use a utility knife (or a pizza cutter) to remove old paint. Be careful not to gouge the wood sash. If high humidity is making windows hard to move, run a humidifier that sucks moisture out of air.
Related: Save Money with Window Repair Tips
5. Stop a Leaking Faucet
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A dripping faucet can waste 5 gallons of water per day. If you can’t replace the faulty part immediately, tie a string around the faucet and let it fall into the drain: Dripping water will silently flow down the string.
6. Silence Door Squeaks
Take the squeak out of doors by lubricating top and bottom hinges with a little WD-40 or white lithium grease. If you don’t have any on hand, olive oil is a quick but temporary fix.
7. Turn Off the Main Water Line
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Don’t wait until water gushes into your house to search for the main water line. When things are calm and dry, locate and practice turning it on and off.
