There’s a major deficit of handymen in the US market. These experts have busy schedules and make as much money as college-educated people. As a result, not only do you have to wait several days for their assistance, but you have to pay a hefty price.
The good news is that you can do a lot of maintenance work by yourself. Whether we’re talking about cleaning your gutters or changing your kitchen tap aerator, most of the house fixes require minimal strength and proficiency. In the following section, we’ll focus on 10 simple home maintenance fixes everyone can do.
1. Address Humidity
Mold and mildew are the biggest enemies of classic American homes. These microorganisms eat away your walls and cause massive structural damage. To make matters worse, they present a health hazard for your family.
You can easily prevent mold growth by ventilating your rooms. Furthermore, you should check pipes for leakage, as water is vital for this species. If you do notice mold in your home, we suggest you immediately spray it with silica spray, bleach, or ammonia.
2. Check Your Fire Devices
Most homeowners disregard their fire and safety devices, which makes sense given that they’re rarely used. Nevertheless, you should test these systems every once in a while and change their batteries as necessary. Don’t forget to replace your fire extinguisher when it expires.
3. Maintain Your Appliances
Most household appliances have optimal work modes and rely on regular maintenance to prolong their lifetime. For example, you need to use anti-caulking substances for your iron or clean fridge coils from time to time.
To keep on top of all these fixes, we suggest you create a yearly schedule. Set aside a few days to test and replace parts on your home appliances. For some of them, regular cleaning will do the trick (such as in the case of dishwater and washing machines’ filters).
4. Clean Your Gutters
If you have roof leakages, water will slowly eat away your walls and wooden structure. Excess humidity can also lead to various respiratory diseases in your family.
To prevent this, make sure to clean your gutters twice a year, before and after winter. Besides leaves, remove all the debris, as it can cause additional damage to metal and clogged gutters. The same goes for your roof; make sure to patch holes and replace discolored shingles.
5. Check HVAC
HVAC maintenance is relatively straightforward. Whether we’re talking about heating or AC, you should clean your filters once a year. Besides improving air quality, this will also lead to improved energy efficiency. When autumn comes around, you should turn off all the faucets located outside to protect your pipes from ice.
6. Think About Exterior
Taking care of your grass, flowers, and trees is a vital part of household maintenance. For example, you should trim trees’ branches whenever they get too big to prevent damage to your siding and windows.
Similarly, you should collect debris and dead leaves at the end of the autumn. Leaves and other organic matter are especially hazardous as they attract pests and present a fire danger.
7. Take Care of Plumbing
Make sure your plumbing is in great shape, especially prior to cold months. The first thing you need to do is perform a visual inspection, looking for signs of excess humidity on the walls. Pay attention to cracks, crimping, discoloration, and rust-like buildup. Basically, any abnormal appearance of your pipes can indicate a potential problem.
8. Check Garbage Disposal
The biggest problem with garbage disposal is that it can easily get clogged. To prevent this, you need to clean it at least twice a month while also using it regularly (this prevents the accumulation of garbage in the upper chamber). If you know how, you can even replace the filter that is just beneath the sink.
9. Fix Squeaky Hinges
There’s no need to call a handyman for such a small thing as squeaky hinges. Use petroleum jelly to lubricate hinges on your doors and window rails. You can also use WD-40 for lubrication and preventing rust. Check the doorknobs on your doors while you’re at it, and screw the moving parts.
10. Winterize Your Pool
When winterizing your pool, you should start by removing all accessories and cleaning filters. After that, check the water balance and add a product for killing algae. Partially drain the pool, which should be followed by placing antifreeze inside. Make sure to drain water from your pipes and other system to prevent ice damage. Lastly, put a cover on it.
Conclusion
Homeowners spend obscene amounts of money on handymen nowadays. Instead of continuing with this practice, it’s much better to learn how to make small repairs yourself. With just a few basic tools and supplies, you can keep your home in tip-top shape, which will not only save money but also prevent bigger breakdowns.
