10 Home Repair Projects for the Beginner

Even if you are not particularly handy, there are some maintenance chores around the house that really anyone can do. Some of them may even help you save a little money.

Showerhead Replacement

Showerheads usually stop working kind of gradually, so you do not really notice that the spray is less than vibrant. If your showerhead needs replacing, consider doing it yourself.

Seal the House

Check your house for drafts and air leaks. By holding a piece of tissue up to the crack around a window or door, you can see if any air is moving through it when it is closed. If the tissue flutters, then here is another repair job for you to do. Adding weather stripping and caulking around windows and doors is an easy maintenance job. If you are not sure how to properly apply caulk, then you can have someone from your local hardware store demonstrate the proper technique for you.

HVAC Filter

Changing the air filter on your heating and cooling unit is something that you should do routinely to keep your HVAC system running smoothly and efficiently. Replace filters at least quarterly if not monthly.

Re-caulk Showers and Tub

Now that you have caulked around all of your home’s windows and doors, you can take that new skill and a tube of caulk and redo the caulking around your tubs and showers.

Repair Leaks

Fixing a leaky faucet or toilet looks harder than it is. For the toilet, you can buy a kit that takes all of the guesswork out of the fix, and faucets usually only need a new washer installed to stop the leak.

Washing Machine Maintenance

While you want to leave appliance repair to the professionals, you definitely do want to do appliance maintenance. If you notice that your washing machine is taking longer to fill check the inlet screen. Unplug the washer and turn off the water. This is a great time to replace the water hoses if they are over a year old. Pull your washer out from the wall and find the inlet screens on the back. Remove them both, clean and replace.

Clear Gutters

If you can rake leaves, then you can clean gutters. Keeping gutters and downspouts cleared helps freeze damage from happening in the cold weather, and it keeps water away from the foundation of your house.

Lower Water Heater

If you want to save some energy and maybe a few dollars off of your heating bill, try turning your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. 120 degrees is still plenty hot to clean, but it is not hot enough to scald. If you also put a blanket around your water heater, your heater will retain its heat and not need to reheat its contents as frequently.

Door Hinges

Loose door hinges will only make your doors ill fitting. Keep door hinges properly fitted by tightening screws. If you find that screws are stripped, then pick up a metal mesh repair kit at your hardware store.

New Bulbs

Going through your house and replacing your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs helps you be more energy efficient. They last longer, use less energy and in the long run save you money.