We’ve all watched those Do-It-Yourself Home Repair Shows and thought that the repairs seemed too complicated and that it might be better to hire a professional contractor. This can get expensive, however, so it might be a great idea to look again at those DIY projects and see if you can handle some yourself.
Having a home maintenance plan in place throughout the year can make a huge difference in your bank account. This doesn’t require a lot of specialized know-how or training, nor does it require a lot of time or money. In fact, it will not only save money by increasing the longevity of your appliances and existing structures, but it will also help you become more energy-efficient and save money on your utility bills – always a win-win.
These 10 tips are a great place to start on things you can do around your home to keep everything running in tiptop shape. If you truly feel like you aren’t able to handle one of these projects please do contact a professional.
1. Toilets
Water leaking from your toilet tank will not only cost you money when it comes to your utility bill, but it can also cause water damage to your bathroom floor and premature wear of your toilet’s internal workings.
To find out whether your toilet tank is leaking, add some red food coloring to the water in the tank. Come back in about an hour and see if the water in the bowl is pink. If it is, you have a leak.
If you find that your toilet is leaking from the tank to the bowl, the flapper needs to be replaced.
To change your toilet’s flapper, first shut off the water supply to your toilet. To do this, turn the water valve located directly behind the toilet. Remove the tank lid and flush the toilet in order to empty the tank. Use a towel or sponge to mop out any excess water left in the tank. Remove the flush chain from the lever, and then slide the old flapper up off the overflow tube. Slide the new flapper in place over the overflow tube, reconnect the chain, and turn the water supply back on.
2. Faucets
The main cause of leaky faucets is worn out washers. Those inside faucet handles are rubber and tend to wear out quickly. Replace them by turning off the main water supply, unscrewing the leaky handle that controls the flow of water to the spout, removing the old washer, and dropping in the new one.
3. Washing Machine & Dryer
It’s important to regularly inspect your washing machine water supply hoses for leaks. One of the top reasons for insurance claims is for water damage caused by leaky supply lines. Inspect them at least annually and replace them every three years if they are plastic. If you notice that the metal ends of your lines are discolored or rusty, replace them immediately.
Faulty washing machine drain hoses are as important as water supply lines when it comes to keeping water off of your floor and in your drain where it belongs. As with supply lines, regularly inspect the ends of your drain lines for discoloration or rust, and replace them immediately if you find evidence of leaking.
Additionally, check the snugness of the drain lines by using a crescent wrench or a pair of pliers. You shouldn’t be able to tighten the line any further if it’s properly tightened. Plastic lines should be replaced every three years.
When it comes to your dryer, it’s important to make sure that you regularly clean your lint screen in order to prevent fires. This will also increase the life of the heating element. Physically remove the lint from the screen between each load of laundry. Also, be sure to remove fabric softener residue by washing the screen with warm water and dish detergent once per week.
4. Air Conditioning
Air conditioners are among the most overlooked appliances when it comes to performing regular home maintenance, but they can be one of the most costly appliances to repair.
Regularly inspect the condensation hose to make sure that water can flow freely from the line. If there’s standing water where your condensation line drains, create a drainage path using a small garden trowel and line the path with gravel to keep mold and algae from forming, which can be a serious health hazard when the spores are drawn into the appliance and blown into your home.
Additionally, keep the screen around your air conditioner free from debris to keep air flowing easily. This will prevent your air conditioner from using more power than necessary to keep your house cool and keep the internal parts from wearing out too quickly.
5. Plumbing
In order to keep water flowing freely through your pipes, keep the following things in mind:
- Accumulating fats and oils are the main cause for clogs, so never pour fats or other oils down your drains. This includes oils that are not solid at room temperature. If you accidentally spill oils or fats down the drain, run hot water down your drain along with a healthy serving of dishwashing liquid. The soap will emulsify the fat or oil and move it on down the pipe, preventing a clog.
- Get a hair strainer for the bathtub drain as hair is the primary culprit in the bathroom. If you have a strainer, make sure that you remove any accumulated hair from it following each shower. This will reduce the amount of hair that finds its way through the strainer and into your plumbing.
- Skip the Drano. Though the acids it contains can help unclog a drain, they also cause significant damage to your plumbing, including premature leaking. This can lead to costly repairs later on. If your bathtub or toilet is completely clogged, use a small drain snake – which you can purchase at any hardware outlet – to pull the offending clog to the surface. If your kitchen sink is clogged, try plunging it before trying to snake the drain. If you cannot remove the clog using a drain snake, call a professional.
6. Air Filters
Change the air filter in your central heat and air unit often, especially during peak usage months. Thirty days is the longest you should leave an air filter in place; two weeks is maximum for high-usage months.
Using cheap fiberglass filters is actually preferred as opposed to more expensive HEPA filters for two reasons: First, replacing the more expensive filters often isn’t cost-effective. Second, the fiberglass filters actually allow for more air to flow into your climate-controlled unit, reducing the amount of energy needed to effectively heat or cool your home.
7. Paint
You can easily give your house a facelift by repainting the interior. Doing so, however, can be costly and difficult to accomplish. You can save both time and money by strategically touching up your paint job every so often. The first thing you need is a spot-on color match. The only way to get this is to save paint from your current paint job for future touch-ups. If you have leftover paint, simply roll the paint over the dirty spots on your walls. When the paint dries, it will do so perfectly, leaving you with a wall that looks as though you just painted it.
If you don’t have any leftover paint, you can still touch up your walls, though your efforts will be more labor intensive than spot painting. Take a sample of your color to your local hardware outlet and have your paint tinted to match. When you’re ready to touch up your walls, paint the dirty wall from corner to corner, being careful to keep the new paint off any surface you aren’t looking to touch up. If there’s a shade difference, you won’t notice it, even if the wall you’re painting is against another one.
If you’re trying to cover up nicotine-stained walls, you’ll need to apply a stain blocker to them before applying paint. Nicotine will prevent your paint from adhering properly to the wall surface and will cause bubbles. Additionally, if stale smoke or other odor is an issue, add a few drops of vanilla to your paint. This will help combat odors that have seeped into your drywall.
8. Refrigerators
The main component of your refrigerator that should get your attention is the door seals. Keeping them tight will reduce the amount of energy it takes to keep your food cool or frozen, and will also keep your refrigerator working efficiently, preventing premature wear on internal parts.
To test the door seals, close the door on a dollar bill and attempt to pull it out with the door closed. If you cannot easily pull the bill out from the door, your seals are in good shape. However, if the bill slides out without much resistance, it’s time to replace the seals. You can purchase new seals from any home repair outlet store.
If you have a refrigerator that has coils along the back, periodically vacuum them to remove dirt and dust build up. They contain the coolant the refrigerator uses to keep the internal temperature cold. If they become dirty, they won’t work efficiently and your refrigerator may stop cooling altogether.
As a general tip, keeping your refrigerator full uses less energy than trying to cool when it’s empty. Therefore, keep as many items in your refrigerator as possible to help reduce energy costs. This might not be so practical in winter if your area gets a lot of snow and the risk of a power outage is greater. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather to determine if you can keep your refrigerator full as replacing food can get expensive as well.
9. Drafty Windows
Drafty windows are a major culprit of high energy bills in the summer and winter months. Periodically check the condition of the caulk line that holds your windows in place. If the caulk appears to be dry, cracked, or otherwise weathered, remove the old caulk with a box cutter or other sharp knife and run a new bead of caulk along the seam.
For added utility bill savings, you can further prep your window by applying an insulating window film over the glass. These methods cost much less than the price of replacing your windows and implementing green energy technology in your home.
10. Gutters & Roof
While gutters may go practically unnoticed when you look at your house, they are the main line of defense between your foundation and siding, and the elements. Gutters are designed to capture water and debris runoff from your roof and divert it away from your foundation. One of the main causes of water accumulation in basements is a lack of gutter maintenance and proper water diversion.
Clean your gutters at least once per year by physically removing debris from the channels and rinsing them thoroughly by using a garden hose. Avoid installing gutter guards – not only do these not adequately prevent debris from entering your gutters, they also make it extremely difficult (if not impossible) to properly clean your gutter system.
Also, be sure to regularly check that your gutters are properly affixed to your fascia boards, and replace any sections that appear to be damaged or leaking.
Periodically check your roof for damage. Damaged, discolored, or gravel-less shingles should be quickly replaced to prevent the need to replace your roof, water-damaged trusses, or drywall when you finally discover a leak. During the inspection of your roof, pay special attention to shingles that surround skylights, vents, satellite dishes and chimneys, as these areas are the most leak-prone.
