5 Home Repairs That Do Not Require Professional Help

For most people, owning a home is a dream come true. But homeownership is not just about not paying rent and more relaxing weekends. One disadvantage many homeowners dread is home repairs. Unlike when you rent an apartment, you’re responsible for every feature in your house to function smoothly, and you get to pay for the professional help you need.

So for that, occasional home repairs are one of the things you should learn how to do as a homeowner. However, it doesn’t have to be entirely dreadful or costly. You can surely fix a minor problem in your house that you wouldn’t have to call for help. 

Fixing Sticking Doors

When doors stick to the door frame or don’t shut accurately, it can be a sign of foundation problems. However, it can only be caused by high humidity or excessive moisture in the air after heavy rainfall. As the humidity decreases, the wood shrinks, and the problem usually solves itself. It can also just be that the hinge screws are losing their tightness.

If the problem is still there, you can surely do a little DIY to fix this problem. It’s recommendable to use a hand screwdriver instead of an electric one so you can control the screws properly. An electric drill can cause stripping and breaking, and you might end up making it worse. Unless it’s a problem with air leaks and door replacement, you won’t need help from a professional.

Repairing Wobbly Tables and Chairs

This is another annoying problem in the house, but not everyone bothers to repair them immediately. The most common causes of wobbly furniture are poor construction and using metal fasteners and screws rather than solid wood joinery. Using metal to conjoin the legs of wooden chairs and tables is much less strong and flexible.

There are lots of simple remedies to repair unsteady furniture. You can disassemble them apart and label them so that you can put them back easily. Use a chisel to remove any excess or dried glue. Once these joints are clean, reapply some glue—be sure to apply the right type of glue—and put the parts back together. Until the glue dries, position them in a way that they will hold steadily or hold them with a rope.

Fixing Leaky Faucets and Pipes

Whether it’s in the kitchen or bathroom, drain pipes seem to fail you, especially when you least expect it. It’s not only a stressful problem to have but an absolute waste of water and a hike on your water bill. Did you know that a single leaky faucet drips hundreds of gallons in a year?

Depending on the type of faucet you have, the process of fixing it can be simple. You can always temporarily shut off the water to the entire house while you fix it and turn it back on after. If there’s a bigger problem that requires trenchless sewer line repair, that’s already a job for a professional that you need to call and get help from.

Getting Rid of Bathroom Mold

Excess moisture and heat in your bathroom cause a humid environment that builds homes for mold. It forms every time you take warm baths and showers or when you simply wash your hands or face in the bathroom sink. This can be found on tiles, walls, and the ceiling. 

Cleaning your bathroom regularly can help lessen the mold forming around, yet you can still miss out on some parts. Use the right kind of cleaning materials and products to get rid of them and prevent them from growing again.

Patching a Hole in a Drywall

This is one of the most common and easiest tricks a homeowner should know how to do. Even for someone who rents an apartment, this can get you out of losing your security deposit. You know how slumlords can be.

Filling up nail holes is a way to make old drywall look new again. You can do this by using a spackle knife, filling the holes with a lightweight putty, and scraping off the excess. Wait for them to dry and smoothen them with sandpaper until they’re all flat and smooth. Paint them, and you’re done!

For larger holes, of course, it’s something for a professional to take care of. It can include cutting, replacing, and mudding. Making sure they’re unnoticeable once they’re covered with paint.

Professional labor for maintenance and repairs can often be costly for a homeowner’s budget. It is important to have funds just for this category, but not everybody has a stable income to save up for it. If you’re lucky enough to have set aside a house maintenance fund, this can be less of an issue for you.