I’m sure you’ve heard the line “a house is a home when it’s full of love.” Well, I think that’s true. But if your home is lacking in any way whether it’s missing a few key cabinets or having cracks in the foundation it can feel like it lacks something else: money.
Luckily, there are plenty of simple fixes and upgrades you can do around the house yourself without breaking the bank!
Here are some easy repairs that will save you time and money:
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| – With some basic knowledge and a few simple tricks, many home repairs can be done quickly and inexpensively. |
| – Regular maintenance can save homeowners money in the long run by preventing more costly repairs. |
| – Several online resources are available for DIY home repair tips and tricks, as well as guidance on hiring professionals for more complex repairs. |
| – Easy home repairs include fixing leaky faucets, repairing drywall, painting rooms, replacing light fixtures, and unclogging drains. |
| – Home security is important in keeping your family and property safe, with simple fixes like adding deadbolts and securing windows. |
Hammering
- Use a nail set to avoid splitting the wood.
- Use a rubber mallet to avoid damaging the wood.
- Drive in nails with a hammer, and remove them with an old-fashioned claw hammer (not your best friend’s new one!).
- Hammering is a great way to demolish something if you don’t have power tools or don’t feel like taking apart all those little pieces of wood by hand.
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Unscrewing A Stripped Bolt
If you have a stripped bolt, it may seem like the only way to get it off is with a hacksaw. But before you go that route, try the following methods to save time and money:
Use a wrench to grip the bolt and then tap it with a hammer until it loosens up enough that you can unscrew it manually.
Drill into the center of your stripped bolt with an appropriately sized drill bit; make sure to use plenty of lubricant as well! This should allow you to use a screwdriver or other tool without making too much noise as well as giving yourself more leverage when trying not only removing but also installing new bolts in their place before too long!
If none of these options work for you or your project seems too big for them (and no one thinks about those things because they don’t think about themselves enough), consider calling us over at our local hardware store where we’ll help find just what kind of tool works best for whatever job needs doing today!”
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Drilling
For drilling into concrete, use a hammer drill. These are basically just regular drills with an extra gearbox that helps them spin faster.
If you’re drilling into wood or masonry, go for a regular drill. For metal surfaces like steel pipes and rebar (the cylindrical bars of reinforcing that hold concrete together), get yourself a carbide-tipped bit.
To bore through wood and other soft materials, look for spade bits or auger bits—they’re designed to make holes in things like fence posts and tree stumps!
Baking Soda And Vinegar To Unclog A Drain
If your garbage disposal is getting clogged, try using baking soda and vinegar to unclog it.
- Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain.
- Follow with a cup of vinegar.
- Let it sit for 30 minutes before flushing with hot water.
Hanging Pictures
Hanging pictures can be a bit overwhelming, but with these tricks you’ll be hanging them in no time.
First, make sure to use a level to ensure that the picture is straight. Once you have it lined up correctly, find where your studs are located on your wall. If you don’t know how to do this, try using a stud finder or just poke around until you feel something metal inside of the wall.
Next up is drilling into the wall with a masonry bit and screwing everything together! This will allow for stability when hanging heavier items like artwork or mirrors!
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Keeping Your Garage Spick-And-Span
You can make your garage look like a showroom by keeping it organized and clean. For starters, use a large plastic bin to store items like paint and stain. This will help you keep things neat even in the garage.
- Use hooks to hang tools on the wall, and don’t forget about ladders! Your tools should be easy to access when needed so that you won’t have to waste time looking for them later.
Keep your garage door open so that it can air out – this will also help avoid any moisture buildup inside your walls.
Mop down your floor once every few months with water mixed with white vinegar; this helps maintain its shine while disinfecting the surface at the same time!
| Tasks | Frequency | Tools/Equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Sweep garage floor | Weekly | Broom |
| Mop garage floor | Monthly | Mop and bucket |
| Dust off surfaces | Monthly | Duster or cloth |
| Organize tools | Bi-annually | Tool organizer |
| Clean garage door | Bi-annually | Hose and sponge |
| Check for pests | Quarterly | Flashlight |
This table provides a simple checklist of tasks to keep your garage clean and organized. The checklist includes tasks such as sweeping and mopping the floor, dusting off surfaces, organizing tools, and cleaning the garage door. Use this list to establish a regular cleaning routine that suits your needs and keep your garage spick-and-span.
Go Slow
The simple act of slowing down can save hours of frustration. This applies to everything from how you work with electricity to how quickly you move through a room. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
When it comes to home repairs, this means taking your time. Don’t be in a hurry when working on something; even if it’s just changing out a light bulb or fixing a loose door hinge, take the time necessary to do the job right and get it done properly the end result will be worth it!
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Sanding
Think about sanding for a minute: It’s a necessary part of any home repair job that requires the surface to be smooth or flat. But it can also be one of the most frustrating parts of any project, especially when you’re not sure what you’re doing.
But have no fear! There are lots of ways you can use sandpaper and other tools to get your surfaces looking great without spending an hour on every inch of furniture or flooring.
The first thing to know is that there are actually several different types of sanders out there. You can use a hand-held power sander, which is designed specifically for smaller tasks like stripping paint off walls or preparing wood surfaces before painting them;
but if you need something bigger and more powerful, then consider investing in either an orbital sander (which spins around its own axis) or belt sander (which uses leather strips wrapped around a drum). Alternatively, if all these options sound overwhelming and they probably do you could always just grab yourself some sanding sponges and save yourself some money!
Paint Thinner For Removing Varnish And Stains
Paint thinner is a great tool for removing varnish, stains, and paint from wood. It’s also great for removing paint from glass and metal.
Paint thinner can even be used to remove paint from plastic! If you use it correctly, it will take off all of your old layers of paint without damaging the underlying surface or leaving behind any residue.
Here’s how you can use this awesome product in your home:
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Grease Removal With The Help Of Salt And Lemon Juice
Grease removal with the help of salt and lemon juice
We all know that salt is a natural degreaser, but did you know that it’s also great for removing grease from surfaces?
It works much better than chemicals and doesn’t leave behind an unpleasant smell. One quick way to remove greasy stains is by mixing one part table or kosher salt with two parts lemon juice on a sponge.
Then rub the mixture into the stain until it disappears! For tough stains, try adding some baking soda to your mixture—the combination of baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide will knock out even the most stubborn grease marks.
| Steps | Tools | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mix salt and lemon juice to form a paste | Bowl |
| 2 | Apply paste onto grease stain | Sponge |
| 3 | Let sit for 10-15 minutes | – |
| 4 | Scrub gently with sponge | Sponge |
| 5 | Rinse with warm water and dry | – |
This table provides a simplified step-by-step guide for removing grease stains using a mixture of salt and lemon juice. All you need to get started are these basic tools and materials: a bowl, sponge, salt, and lemon juice. With this natural solution, you can effectively remove tough grease stains from a variety of surfaces quickly and easily.
Removing Old, Peeling Wallpaper With A Clothes Steamer
You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to remove old, peeling wallpaper with a clothes steamer. First, dampen the wall and peel away any loose pieces of paper.
Then, use masking tape to outline the area you want to clean up so that you don’t steam paint or drywall while removing your old wallpaper.
Once you’ve applied your tape, turn on your clothes steamer and hold it about 12 inches away from the wall, moving slowly across it as you go along (you should hear a hissing sound).
If there are still sections where the wallpaper doesn’t come off easily with this method, use a paint scraper or putty knife in those areas to scrape off any remaining paper.
Use A Paint Roller To Stain Hardwood Floors
It’s possible to stain hardwood floors using a paint roller! The process is very similar to the one described above, but instead of using a rag and mineral spirits, you’ll need a clean cloth dampened with water.
Apply the stain in the direction of the wood grain, and then wait for it to dry for 24 hours before applying another coat. Repeat this process until you’ve reached your desired color (two coats should be sufficient).
Caulking Your Bathtub In Two Minutes Flat!
Caulking is one of the easiest home repairs to perform. It requires few tools, and the results are quick and impressive.
All you need is a caulk gun, which you can pick up at any hardware store for less than $15; if your tub is white or another light color, choose caulking that matches it; otherwise, get one that’s close in color to your tub.
Once you have both purchased and installed caulk (or any other product), it’s time to apply it! First make sure that the area where you plan on putting the new caulk is clean—water spots will show through after drying.
Next press down firmly with fingers or trowel until no more bubbles appear from under surface of sealant material.
| Steps | Tools | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Remove old caulk with putty knife | Putty knife |
| 2 | Clean surface with alcohol and allow to dry | Rubbing alcohol |
| 3 | Apply painter’s tape to protect surrounding surfaces | Painter’s tape |
| 4 | Cut caulk tube tip at a 45-degree angle | Utility knife |
| 5 | Apply caulk in continuous stream | Caulk (such as GE Silicone II) |
| 6 | Smooth caulk with finger or caulk smoother | Finger or caulk smoother |
| 7 | Remove painter’s tape | Painter’s tape |
This table provides a simplified step-by-step guide for quickly caulking your bathtub. All you need are some basic tools and materials, including a putty knife, rubbing alcohol, painter’s tape, a utility knife, caulk (such as GE Silicone II), and a caulk smoother. With these items, you can get the job done in two minutes flat!
You Can Do These Simple Home Repair Tricks To Save Time And Money!
You can do these simple home repair tricks to save time and money!
The best part is that they’re all pretty easy to do. You don’t need any special training, and you can even use them with a friend’s help if you want. Plus, they’ll help you out in your own home or garage and bathroom!
Conclusion
You’re ready to take on the world, right? Well, if you’ve got a home to keep, there are tons of simple tricks that will help you do it.
From hammering nails into the wall to hanging pictures with ease, these life hacks can save both time and money when it comes time for your next home repair project. You don’t need expensive tools or even a lot of skill just some creativity!
Further Reading
Here are some other resources that may help with your home repair and maintenance needs:
Surprising Home Repair Hacks You Never Thought Of – This article from Apartment Therapy provides tips and tricks for repairing common household problems with everyday items you might not expect to be useful.
100 Home Hacks That Will Improve Your Life – Check out this list of 100 home hacks from Family Handyman for ideas on how to make your living space more functional and efficient.
20 Cheap Home Repairs That Could Save You Thousands – Bob Vila offers guidance on simple, low-cost repairs that could save you a large expense down the line.
FAQs
How can I save money on home repairs?
There are several ways you can save money on home repairs, such as doing the repairs yourself instead of hiring a professional, using low-cost materials, and shopping around for deals. You can also consider preventive maintenance to keep your home in good shape and avoid costly repairs in the first place.
How often should I perform maintenance on my home?
Ideally, you should perform regular maintenance on your home at least once or twice a year. This can include cleaning gutters, inspecting the roof and foundation, testing smoke detectors, and checking for leaks and water damage.
What are some common DIY home repair projects?
Common DIY home repair projects include fixing a leaky faucet, repairing drywall, painting rooms, replacing light fixtures, and unclogging drains.
When should I hire a professional for home repairs?
You should consider hiring a professional for home repairs if the repair is complex, dangerous, or beyond your skill level. Examples might include electrical or plumbing work, major structural repairs, or roofing repairs.
How can I prevent home repair issues before they occur?
Preventive maintenance can go a long way in preventing home repair issues before they occur. This can include tasks like cleaning gutters, replacing air filters, inspecting the roof and foundation, and testing smoke detectors. Additionally, taking care of small problems promptly helps prevent further damage and larger repair bills.
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.