Before you call to fix these often intimidating issues around the home yourself, we'll tell you how to do it!



Toilets

Don't let your toilet become one of those mysterious devices located in the corner of the bathroom. Toilets are operated by basic mechanisms that are simple to grasp. The majority of issues with toilets—clogs and constant running water and loud sounds, etc—can be fixed by the simple purchase of a replacement component as well as some tweaks to the tank. Don't be scared to open the tank and look around.

Ceilings

Before you embark on the hassle of repainting your ceiling in order to eliminate water stain, try this method: Spray the area with bleach and water (10% bleach) and then wait at least a few days. If the stain is old, then you can apply a mildew and mold remover from a local retailer. You'll be amazed by how frequently the stain will disappear over the morning. It can be used on smooth ceilings and those with textured surfaces.

Wear safety goggles, and be sure to protect your floors and walls by using plastic.

Floors

To repair a floor that is squeaky beneath the carpet, identify the floor joists using the help of a stud locater, and then put a trim screw into the carpet subfloor and pad and in the floor joint. Make sure the top inch of the screw does not have threads, or the subfloor will not be able to suck tightly to the floor joist. We prefer trim screws since screw heads with bigger diameters can pull down and push the carpet down. If that happens, take off the screws and push it down. Continue to add screws until you hear the squeaking stop.

Unblocking clogged drains

The majority of blocked drains result from hair or greasy dirt and can be cleared out on your own. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners and get a plunger to remove the blockage and cut down on the cost of a service call. The most serious drain clogs that occur within the outskirts of your pipes can be cleared without the help of a professional. The art of preventing blockages from happening in the first place is a useful DIY ability.

Drafts

If you notice the light creeping under doors that are outside, the air is also flowing out. Take a couple of packages of self-adhesive rubber-foam weatherstripping, and start to seal every door that leads to the outside. Are you already using weatherstripping but struggling with a large fuel bill? It could now be the time to replace the strips put in place by the previous owners.

Caulk and grout

The bathtub's caulk is missing, or grout that is broken between tiles could be the cause of a serious water damage. You can, however, recaulk the shower or bathtub and re-grout on your walls without calling professional help.

HVAC

Regular maintenance can prevent many HVAC issues. If you experience problems, you can generally solve them yourself. If your AC unit is functioning but is becoming loud, you can repair it, too! If your furnace requires attention, you can do routine maintenance and make minor repairs yourself.

Garbage disposal repair

A garbage disposal can be quite intimidating when it's running when the blades start cutting up kitchen garbage. If your disposal gets stinky, fear not. It's simple to get rid of the dirt and remove the smell. In the event that your splash guard is in need of replacement, you can do this in about 20 minutes! If you have to replace the entire disposal, you can do it by yourself.