It’s easy to forget about the little things in your home that could mean big problems down the road. But a few simple repairs can save you thousands of dollars in the long run, and they probably won’t take up much time either!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Home repairs and maintenance can be costly, but there are many simple tasks that homeowners can do themselves to save money and protect their investment. |
| Basic tasks such as cleaning gutters, changing air filters, and inspecting the exterior of the home can help prevent major repairs down the line. |
| Regular maintenance of HVAC systems, plumbing, and roofs can help identify potential issues before they become major problems. |
| DIY projects can be a great way to improve the look and functionality of your home without breaking the bank. |
| There are many resources available online to help homeowners learn more about home repair and maintenance, from basic tips and tricks to comprehensive guides to tackling more complex repairs. |
Here are 15 simple home repair tips that could save you thousands:
Air-Conditioning Filters
Air-conditioning filters should be replaced regularly, or as soon as they start to look dirty and clogged. Replacing your air-conditioning filters can make a huge difference in the temperature of your home, which will result in lower electricity bills.
It’s also important to replace them before they get damaged by pets or children, insects or other outdoor elements.
If you want to keep everything running smoothly at home this summer, don’t let those pesky little bits of dirt get into the system!
Securing your home doesn’t have to be complicated. With some simple tips and tricks, you can make your home safer and more secure. Check out our guide on The Most Effective Home Security Fixes You Haven’t Heard Of to learn about some surprising home security fixes that you may not have thought of.
Furnace Filters
One of the most important things you can do to keep your furnace running smoothly is to change your furnace filter every three to five months.
A dirty filter will make your furnace work harder, which means higher utility bills and a longer wait before the air reaches its desired temperature.
The easiest way to clean a dirty filter is with a vacuum cleaner just don’t forget that most vacuums can only handle so much dust! If you have pets in the house or other sources of dust, be sure to replace their filters more often than once every few months.
If you’re not sure how often it’s time for a new one but want peace of mind, invest in an electronic monitor that will let you know when it’s time for replacement (and save you from having to guess).
| Task | Frequency | Recommended Products |
|---|---|---|
| Replacing furnace filters | Every 1-6 months | Filtrete, Honeywell, NordicPure |
| Choosing the right filter size | As needed | MeasureYourFilter, Aerostar |
| Cleaning the blower | Annually | CRC, GUNK |
| Hiring a professional | Every 1-3 years | Trane, Carrier |
Unclog Drain Lines
If you’ve got a clogged drain, there are plenty of ways to get it moving again. First, you may try using a plunger to clear any debris that’s blocking the pipes. Plungers can be found at most hardware stores and are very affordable; however, they can be difficult to use effectively.
Another option is to snake out your drain line with a special tool called an auger (also referred to as a plumber’s snake).
This tool is inserted into the pipe where it meets up with the main line and then twisted so that its spiral tip rotates through blocksage in order to clear them away from around the pipe itself. Some drains require professional assistance if they become severely clogged or damaged; in these cases call an expert who can provide service no matter what type of problem may have occurred!
Proper maintenance of your HVAC system is essential to keep it running efficiently and to extend its lifespan. However, there are some common mistakes that homeowners make that can lead to problems down the line. Check out our guide on 15 Common HVAC Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid to learn how to keep your HVAC system in top shape.
Replace Smoke Detector Batteries
You can feel a sense of panic at the thought of having to replace your smoke detector batteries, but don’t worry! It’s not as hard or costly as you might think.
When it comes time to replace your smoke detector batteries, do not remove the old ones. Instead, leave them in place and change them out with new ones. This is because removing the old battery from its casing could cause damage that renders it useless.
If you choose to buy rechargeable batteries instead of standard alkaline ones, ensure they are fully charged before inserting them into the detector.
If they aren’t completely full when they get installed in the unit, they may not last as long as expected before needing replacement again (or worse!).
To test whether your smoke detectors are working properly after installing new batteries:
Press down firmly on each button until it clicks into place (this will reset any false alarms).
| Task | Frequency | Recommended Products |
|---|---|---|
| Replacing smoke detector batteries | Twice a year | Energizer Max, Duracell |
| Cleaning smoke detectors | Twice a year | Kidde, First Alert |
| Replacing smoke detectors | Every 10 years (minimum) | Kidde, First Alert |
Fix Leaky Faucets
If your faucet leaks, one of these solutions may work for you:
Replace the washer. This is a quick and cheap way to fix a leaky faucet! Just unscrew the nut at the base of your faucet (this will take some pliers), remove it, pull off the old washer and replace it with a new one. Reassemble and test.
Replacement parts. You can buy replacement stems, handles or even entire faucets at hardware stores or home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s—just make sure before buying that they’re compatible with your current setup.
It is important that you check this as sometimes different types of brands use different sizes/types of parts for their products which means one brand’s hardware won’t fit into another brand’s product without an adapter piece (which isn’t always included).
If this happens to be what happened then don’t worry! They’ll have them too! And if not…you can always improvise something until next time when hopefully we’ll know more information about what type goes where than last time 🙂
A malfunctioning dishwasher can be frustrating and inconvenient. However, many dishwasher issues can be easily fixed with some simple repairs. Check out our guide on The Secret to Fixing a Malfunctioning Dishwasher Revealed to learn some tips on how to troubleshoot and repair common dishwasher problems.
Replace Old Appliance Cords
If you have any appliances that are older than five years, it’s time to replace their cords and plugs. Old appliance cords can cause fires that could potentially lead to the loss of your home and everything in it.
Replacing electrical outlets not only keeps you safe from electrical fires, but also helps reduce the risk of electrocution by using a non-grounded outlet as an example! Replace old switches as well if they’re still working fine after being used for many years.
While you’re at it, check under the sink for leaks around pipes and other fixtures that connect to water pipes like toilet flappers and fill valves.
If there is evidence of leakage or corrosion under the sink then be sure to fix it right away before things get worse!
Replace Old Outlets And Switches
While you’re working on your lighting, it’s a good idea to replace any old receptacles or switches. These fixtures are often responsible for power surges and spikes that damage electronics in the home, so replacing them can help keep your appliances running smoothly for years to come.
Fix Loose Toilet Flappers And Fill Valves
Leaky toilets can be a waste of your money, but it’s easy to fix them. If you’ve got a loose toilet flapper or fill valve, there’s hope for you yet!
Test for leaks by putting food coloring in the tank. It will turn the water colored if there’s a leak. Then you’ll know how much water is leaking out over time and estimate how much that costs you on utility bills (it’s usually not very much).
Replace your toilet flapper with one that fits better: if the rubber seal around it has deteriorated, replace it with another one from Home Depot or Lowe’s; they usually cost less than $10 per part. You should also buy some silicon sealant spray so that the new flapper stays in place when it gets wet again next time (this is vital!).
If you’re looking to spruce up your home without breaking the bank, DIY projects can be a great way to do so. From repainting furniture to installing shelving, there are a number of easy and affordable projects that you can tackle yourself. Check out our guide on From Drab to Fab: 12 Home DIY Projects That Will Transform Your Home for some inspiration and ideas.
Check For Water Damage Around The Bathroom Sink
If you have a bathroom sink, check it for leaks. Leaks can be hard to detect and cause mold, which is expensive to remove and can cause health problems.
To find the leak:
- Turn off all water supply valves to the sink, including hot/cold faucets and drains.
- Run an empty bucket under all other faucets in the house; this will prevent any further water from being wasted while you’re checking for leaks (and help keep your house dry if there’s one).
Pour some food coloring into the sink’s drain pipe; if there’s a leaky joint or connection between a fixture and its drain pipe meaning that water is able to escape around them instead of flowing smoothly down them the dye will run out of that joint onto your flooring below as soon as you open up both valves again (you may have heard this method referred to as “dye testing”).
| Task | Frequency | Recommended Products |
|---|---|---|
| Checking for water damage | Every few months | Moisture Meter, Proto PPE |
| Replacing caulking and grout | As needed | GE Silicone II, TileLab |
| Cleaning sink and drain | Weekly | Simple Green, CLR Cleaner |
| Fixing leaking faucet | As needed | Delta Faucet, Moen Faucet |
Take The Time To Bleed Your Radiators
Bleeding your radiators is a simple process. All you need to do is turn off the heating and then turn on all the valves in the radiator.
This will cause air to push out of it, which should happen within about 30 seconds. If not, try turning them up for another 10-15 seconds each and repeating until the air has pushed out completely.
While this may seem incredibly obvious and easy (which it is), there are a lot of people who don’t know how to do this or have never heard of this trick before especially if they’ve lived in their homes for many years without needing to bleed their radiators themselves!
If you find yourself in a situation where someone else has done this job for you but forgot about it, or if you’ve just moved into your new home and want some peace of mind knowing that everything has been properly taken care of, take some time out from unpacking boxes today so that nothing slips through the cracks later down the line when those cold winter months roll around again next year!
Clear Out Your Condensate Pump Drain Line And Check The Float Switch
If your home is equipped with a condensate pump, it’s important to make sure that the drain line stays clear. This can be done by removing the condensate pump from its housing and using a flexible wire brush or similar object to clean out any debris that may be clogging up its drain. After cleaning out the drain line (and letting it dry), put everything back together.
If you have an older central air conditioning system that uses a float switch for shutting off its condensate pump at regular intervals, make sure you check this device periodically to ensure that it’s working properly and hasn’t been damaged by recent heat waves or cold snaps.
Float switches typically last around five years, but if yours seems worn out already especially if you’re having issues with mold growth in your home due to excess moisture you may have reason for concern about whether or not it’ll work correctly in an emergency situation where time could mean life: If you think yours might be faulty, replace it immediately before disaster strikes!
Home repairs can be intimidating, especially if you’re not sure where to start. However, with the right guidance, you can tackle a wide range of repairs and maintenance tasks around your home. Check out our comprehensive guide on The Ultimate Home Repair Guide: Everything You Need to Know to learn about everything from plumbing and electrical repairs to DIY projects and home security fixes.
Clean Out Your Exhaust Vents
If you’re cleaning out the vents in your home, use a vacuum cleaner to get the dust and debris out.
If you can’t reach the vents with the vacuum cleaner, grab a broom or long pole. You might also want to use a shop vac if you have one.
Make sure that you clean out all of the dust from inside of them so they don’t end up clogging up again when you turn on your air conditioner or furnace for winter!
Change Your Water Heater’s Anode Rod Every Five Years
Anode rods are made of magnesium and are placed in a tank to protect it from rusting and corrosion. They’re a sacrificial rod that wears away as the water heater does its job, so it should be replaced every five years to keep the unit running at optimal efficiency.
Don’t Just Clean Gutters, Fix Them
If you’re like most homeowners, you do a lot of cleaning around the house. You dust, vacuum, mop and wipe down surfaces regularly and you should. But there’s one area that many people tend to overlook: their gutters! Gutter maintenance is so important because it can prevent roof leaks and other costly problems.
If your gutters are full of leaves, pine needles or other debris, then water cannot flow freely through them into your downspouts.
This means that the gutter won’t be channeling rainwater away from your house as effectively as it should be.
Over time this will cause rusting or rotting in the metal framework of your gutter system which may eventually lead to costly repairs or even replacement altogether!
The solution? Clean out those gutters regularly so that rainwater can flow freely through them and away from home instead of stopping up on its way there!
| Task | Frequency | Recommended Products |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning gutters | Twice a year | Looj |
| Repairing leaking gutters | As needed | Flex Seal |
| Installing gutter screens | As needed | GutterBrush, Gutter Helmet |
| Replacing sagging gutters | As needed | Amerimax, Genova |
Note: Don’t just clean your gutters; take a proactive approach to gutter maintenance to prevent major repairs down the line. In addition to regular cleaning, consider repairing leaking gutters, installing gutter screens to prevent clogging, and replacing sagging gutters as needed.
Recommended products include Looj for cleaning, Flex Seal for repairs, GutterBrush and Gutter Helmet for gutter screens, and Amerimax and Genova for replacement gutters.
Conclusion
We hope you found these tips helpful and useful! If you have any other home repair tips of your own, please feel free to share them in the comments below.
Further Reading
Here are some more resources on home maintenance and repair that you may find helpful:
Money Magazine Australia offers a range of articles and tips on home maintenance, with a focus on saving money and improving the value of your home.
HOLR Magazine provides five basic home maintenance tips that can help homeowners save thousands of dollars in repair costs.
PODS Blog offers some helpful home maintenance tips that can help you save money and avoid major repairs down the line.
FAQs
What are some basic home maintenance tasks that homeowners should do regularly?
Regular tasks that homeowners should do include cleaning gutters, checking and changing air filters, and inspecting the exterior of the home for signs of damage or wear.
How often should I have my HVAC system serviced?
Experts recommend having your HVAC system serviced at least once a year to ensure that it is running efficiently and to identify any potential issues before they become major problems.
What are some warning signs that my plumbing system may need repairs?
Some warning signs include slow drains, foul odors, water stains on walls or ceilings, and low water pressure. It’s important to address plumbing issues as soon as possible to avoid costly repairs down the line.
How often should I have my roof inspected?
Experts recommend having your roof inspected at least once a year, preferably in the fall, to identify any potential issues before they become major problems. It’s important to address roof issues as soon as possible to prevent leaks and other damage.
What should I do if I suspect that there is mold in my home?
If you suspect that there is mold in your home, it’s important to have it addressed as soon as possible to prevent health issues and damage to your home. Contact a qualified mold remediation specialist to assess the situation and provide recommendations on how to address it.
Hello, everyone! My name is Hellen James and I’m the founder of Unified Fix. I’ve been a home improvement enthusiast for years, so when we started this blog, I knew that it was important to me that we shared our knowledge with you.