Quick And Easy Home Maintenance Fixes
Let's face it, home improvement tasks can be daunting, especially if you're not an expert and aren't comfortable handling tools or fixing things yourself. These days, a lot of people would rather take the financial hit and call a professional, rather than attempt a project on their own because they don't think they have the time or are afraid of messing things up further. Well, home maintenance doesn't always have to be left to a professional. There are simple fixes that anyone can do with a little confidence and elbow grease. Check these ones out!
Fix A Loose Shower Head In A Snap
Showerheads become wobbly over time with use, it's inevitable, but it's not the end of the world. The cause is that the pipe in the wall that the showerhead connects to has become loose. To fix it, simply remove the showerhead trim ring away from the wall, which might require a screwdriver, to expose the base of the pipe and the hole surrounding it.
Next, take some expanding foam and using the straw, spray around the hole that the pipe is feeding through. Let the foam harden around the exterior of the pipe and return the showerhead trim ring to its original place. Problem solved!
Ceiling Water Stains, Be Gone!
If you have a leaking pipe or a hole in your roof, the water can cause a horrendous ceiling stain that can ruin the look of an entire room. If repainting your ceiling seems like too much effort, there's a quick way to either remove the stain entirely or at least make a noticeable difference.
First off, you need to find the source of what's causing the stain and repair it. Then, fill a spray bottle with one part bleach and five parts water, thoroughly spraying the affected area with the solution. The difference will be noticeable in a matter of hours.
Clogged Faucets Aren't A Big Deal
If you've had the same faucet for some time, chances are that hard water and other debris will build up, leading to reduced water pressure. So, before you go replacing your entire faucet, know that all you have to do is a little cleaning.
Where the water comes out, there is a part known as the aerator screen which is catching all the debris, preventing the maximum amount of water flow. However, you can remove the screen by twisting it to the left. Once it's removed, soak it in some vinegar overnight to dissolve the hard water and other debris and reattach it.
There's Nothing Worse Than A Squeaky Door
If you have a squeaky door, it doesn't mean that anything is broken or needs to be fixed, but the noise is enough to drive anyone crazy. The sound is usually the result of a dry hinge, and thankfully, there's a simple solution.
Grab any kind of lubricating spray such as WD-40, and using the straw, spray around the top crease in the problematic hinge. Be careful though, you don't need to use a lot and get everything all greasy. That's why it helps to have a paper towel or rag on hand to wipe away the extra lubricant.
Hard Water Stains Can Be A Pain
Hard water stains can really do a number on faucets, showers, sinks, or just about anything that is frequently exposed to water. They leave behind noticeable bright white and sometimes even orange-brown stains that can be hard to get rid of using normal household cleaning supplies.
A quick trick is to mix lemon juice and cream of tartar which you can find at your local grocery store. Mix the two together to make a paste and apply directly onto the stains. Let the mixture sit for an hour and then rinse away to reveal a clean surface beneath.
Sticky Door Locks Can Be Fixed With Graphite
If you struggle to get your key in and turn it inside of a door lock, there isn't anything necessarily wrong with the lock. This is most likely the result of corrosion and a build-up of debris. To solve this problem, rub the grooves and cuts of the key with a graphite pencil.
To really make sure everything's working smoothly again, it doesn't hurt to insert a small amount of powdered graphite into the slit of the lock. The graphite will help to work as a lubricant for the lock's tumblers so your keys will glide with ease. This can be done with just about any kind of lock.
Moldy Washing Machines Are No Good
Washing machines can be a significant investment, so nobody wants to see anything go wrong with theirs. However, most people assume that when their washer start smelling strange coming out of the wash, they have a serious problem. Luckily, the chances are that it's just a little bit of mildew, something that isn't uncommon for a washing machine.
To get rid of the mold, all you have to do is use the washing machine like you usually would. Put one cup of baking soda in the washer and run it on empty. The baking soda will thoroughly clean the machine eliminating any mildew that might be there.
A Dirty HVAC Filter Can Be Harmful
The purpose of an HVAC filter is to help prevent dirt, allergens, and other unwanted particles in the air from blowing directly into your home. However, when it's left stagnant for an extended period of time without being cleaned, it will no longer work at its maximum capacity and will have to work harder, therefore raising energy costs.
On top of that, it means that you're breathing dirty air. If you notice that your air quality has decreased or your bills have gone up, check the filter on your unit, it's probably the issue. It's important to change it every two to three months as well as clean it periodically.
Tile Spacing Happens
Once you've been living in a space for a certain amount of time, it's going to show signs of wear and tear, like these spaces forming between the tiles in your bathroom. Not only does it look bad, but it's the perfect spot for mold and mildew to take hold considering bathrooms typically experience a lot of condensation.
Instead of re-tiling your entire bathroom, which is laborious and expensive, get yourself some caulk and a caulk gun and carefully fill in the spaces in the ease.
Squeaky Hardwood Floors Makes Your House Sound Ancient
If you have hardwood flooring, you know that it has the tendency to squeak. Even just walking on them, there are certain areas that that are louder than others. This is the fiction of the wood rubbing up against each other, making your house sound hundreds of years old. All of this can be solved by utilizing corn starch.
Take a little corns starch and sprinkle it over the areas that are prone to make noise. Then, using a broom, sweep it into the cracks between the boards. The cornstarch will act as a buffer and lubricant to stop the wood from pushing together and creaking.
Worn Out Refrigerator Seals Pose A Problem
When the magnetic seals on your refrigerator aren't working as they properly should, this can cause air to leak into the refrigerator. Not only could this pose a threat to your perishable food, but it makes your refrigerator work harder than it should, raising your electricity bill and decreasing the life of the appliance.
Finding the under lip of the seal, use a screwdriver to remove the metal strip that holds the seal in place. After you've contacted your appliance manufacturer on what type of magnetic strip they use and acquire the part, attach the new strip using the screwdriver once again.
Wooden Drawers That Stick Are Aggravating
Having a wooden drawer that sticks can be quite a nuisance. After a bad day, it can even be the final straw that pushes you over the edge. So, to avoid that crisis, take the drawer out of the dresser and turn it over so the underside is facing you.
Next, rub a bar of paraffin, which can be found in the grocery store canned food aisle, on the bottom edges of the drawer. The paraffin acts as a lubricant and will prevent the drawer from sticking anymore.
Exterior Doors That Let Air In Close Can Burn A Hole In Your Wallet
Exterior doors can sometimes lose their fitting, which can end up letting in the air into the house. Whether it's hot or cold air, it can lead you to either turning up the heat or air conditioning, costing you more money.
If you notice one of your doors is like this, there's no need to call a handyman or get a new door. Pull off the old weatherstripping and then install a new peel-and-stick one. These can be sold in kits which make things extra convenient for this type of job.
Loud Cabinet Doors Can Be Deafening
There's nothing worse than a cabinet door that slams shut unless you close it as carefully as possible. Luckily, this annoyance can be fixed in no time with the help of cabinet door bumper pads. To install, first clean off the interior of the cabinet door to remove any unwanted dust or other particles that will prevent the pads from sticking.
Then, place two of the pads in both corners on the top around 1/2 inch from the top and repeat on the bottom. These peel-and-stick pads will help greatly soften the noise of any closing cabinet.
How To Make Sure Knobs Stay Tight
If you have a handle or a knob on a cabinet that just won't stay in pace and is constantly loose, there's a simple solution that only costs a few dollars. By using a tiny drop of adhesive thread, you can screw the pesky knock or handle back on and it won't be going anywhere.
The great thing about this, however, is that if you have plans of changing your hardware eventually, the knobs will come off regularly with the use of a screwdriver.
Loose Wallpaper Is Unattractive
If wallpaper isn't installed properly the first time, the seams can start to come loose. This makes the wall look like it belongs in an unkempt motel room, which is something that nobody wants.
To simply fix this issue without having to re-wallpaper a room, spray the afflicted seam with hot water, and then use a little bit of seam adhesive beneath where the paper was coming loose. Then, smooth the paper back into place and wipe off the excess adhesive with a damp cloth or paper towel.
Don't Struggle To Open A Window
These days, a lot of people are opting for vinyl windows because they're sturdy, look great, and aren't too expensive. However, a common problem is that they can get sticky after enough dirt and particles have made their home on the window's tracks.
If you try to open a vinyl window that's never been cleaned, you'll understand. To remedy this, lubricate the tracks with a dry silicone spray and spray the area between the window and the jamb. Then, wipe out all of the excess grime.
Checking And Changing Detectors
Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working well and change them if necessary. It is one of the easiest home maintenance tasks you can do. All you have to do is check that the lights are blinking and that they're on.
If they start making the chirping sound that their batteries are going dead, it's critical to change them out as soon as possible. This's why it's important always to keep a spare set of the batteries that are applicable to your type of detector.
Gutter Extensions Are Important
When it rains, the water that falls off of the roof or down a simple gutter tends to pool around your house. You don't want this to happen, because the pooling water around your house is going to sink into the foundation, eroding and cracking it, or if you have a basement, it will sink down into it.
In order to avoid this type of mess, you can install gutter extensions that will force the water away from the house instead of right next to it. You can get them at any home improvement store and they only take a few steps to install.
Replacing Outdated Light Bulbs Saves Energy
Typically, most people only change a light bulb once it finally dies. However, one maintenance project you can do you in your own house is going around and exchanging all your outdated bulbs with LED bulbs.
These new kinds of light bulbs are much more energy-efficient and longer-lasting. With the technology these days, some of these light bulbs can even be connected to Bluetooth so you can control them with your phone or another electronic device.