As professional carpenters, it’s very natural for us to translate our DIY spirit and woodworking skills into home maintenance and repair. Our intrinsic “Mr. Fix-It” energy works well in a pinch to save some money by fixing small home issues and performing small repairs. Today, we’re going to share that inspiration with you, and help you learn some basic home repair skills.
If you’re able to conquer these simple home management tasks and repairs, you can save yourself a lot of headache and money in costly repairs. Grant it is good to note that there will always be cases in which a professional is, better suited for the job, so be mindful of your personal limitations, and rest easy knowing there’s no shame in acknowledging when a project is in need of an experienced pro to complete the job.
Learn these basic home maintenance tasks and repairs, and you'll be able to save time and money, as well as prevent costly damage to your home.
Here Are The Basics of Home Maintenance and Home Repairs Every Homeowner Should Master
Learn how to properly hang and install picture frames and artwork.
While this may seem a simple, straightforward task, there are actually quite a few skills and tools required to hang decor properly. You’ll need a level, a stud finder, picture hooks and nails, and drywall screws. Use the stud finder to locate wood studs and beams behind your wall, as these are the best choice for anchoring your artwork without damaging the walls. You can use a screw, or picture-hanging hooks with nails to mount into the wood behind the drywall.
If you are unable to find a stud in the area you wish to hang your artwork or frames, pause before screwing or nailing straight into the drywall. For that, you’ll need to select some screw-in anchors for drywall use; always check the weight limit and capacity of your drywall anchors and choose the appropriate one for your frames/art. When in doubt it’s best to select one that is overly strong as it’s better to err on the side of caution and overestimate weight than underestimating; if the drywall anchor is not strong enough to support the weight of the fram + glass or decor item, you may risk significant damage to your drywall and home.
Learn how to properly paint a room in your home.
Hiring a professional painter is a great option for neat, orderly, and professional results, but if you’re working on a shoestring budget this may not be in the cards. There’s good news, though, as you can certainly do a decent quality job yourself if you follow the right steps. First, you’ll need to calculate just how many gallons of paint are required for your project by determining the square footage; the minimum you’ll get out of a can of paint is an average of 400 square feet per gallon. Determine what type of paint you’ll need for the room you’re decorating: high gloss and semi gloss paints are great options for rooms that will experience higher humidity such as a laundy room, bathroom, powder room, and even a kitchen; flat/matte, eggshell, and satin paints work well for rooms such as living rooms, offices, and some bedrooms; kids rooms fare better with an eggshell or semi gloss as it’s easier to wipe and wash down messes and the inevitable wall mural drawings.
Once you’ve secured the type of paint and correct amount of gallons, you’ll need to prepare the room for painting. You’ll want to tape off the edges of the ceiling, molding around doorways and windows, and along the floor to prevent over painting and drips. Next, lay out a drop cloth on the floor and cover any surfaces and furniture you don’t want to get messy. Ready your brushes and rollers, and make sure to have some plastic wrap and plastic bags on hand to keep wet brushes and rollers protected in between coats.
When you start painting, apply the paint in thin, even layers and remember to work top to bottom and use long strokes in a “W” pattern to prevent roller marks. For corners, we recommend using a paint brush for more precise edigng. Let each coat dry to the touch over the course of a few hours, or follow the dry time directions on the paint can for best practice.
Learn how to patch and repair drywall yourself.
Dings, dents, scratches, and holes are common elements of wear and tear on a home, and they can be easily patched to prevent larger repairs. To cover small dents and dings, you’ll need some fast drying spackle and a putty knife. Apply a thin, even layer of spackle over the area and allow it to dry for 24-hr or according to package instructions. Once the spackle is dry, you may paint over the area with the corresponding wall paint.
To fix small holes or thin cracks, you can use spackle and a patch-kit. Using self-adhesive tape or self-adhesive patch squares, cover the hole. Apply a thin coat of spackle or compound over the mesh and smooth it out so it’s as level to the wall as you’re able to make it. Allow the compound to dry according to package directions. You can use very fine grit sandpaper to smooth the outer edges once its dry, then apply a thin coat of wall paint over the area to protect the repair.
For medium sized holes up to 6in, you’ll use the “California Patch Method”. Measure the hole in the wall, and cut a piece of drywall that is 2in larger in width and height from your measurements. Score the back of the drywall patch piece, and snap away the gypsum edges leaving the top paper layer behind. Apply spackle or compound around the hole, and gently cover it with the piece and then add a thin layer of compound on the outside. Let it dry, and add more spackle/compound as needed. Paint to match your wall color.
Learn how to unclog household drains.
Utilizing a drain catch in the sink or shower can help prevent hair, debris, and pet fur from causing costly clogs in your sinks, tubs, and drains, but sometimes small clogs still happen. If you notice your sink or shower/tub drain are not emptying quickly and water is pooling, it may be time to use a plumbing auger or “drain snake” to remove hair and debris plugs. There are several types of drain snakes on the market, so follow the directions on the packaging for how to insert and use the product.
If manually clearing the drain is not working, you can pour in an eco-safe drain cleaner; avoid harsh chemical options as these can lead to damaging the pipes over time with repeated use. After you’ve followed the manufacturer timelines on the drain cleaner liquid or gel, if the water is still not flowing freely, you can attempt to snake the pipes again. If you’ve attempted these steps at least 3 times to no avail, it’s time to call in the professional plumber!
Learn how to cut the main water supply, flip off circuit breakers, and shut off the gas.
In the event of a major catastrophe such as leaks, flooding, or other major damage, learning how to cut off the home’s major utilities can save you a lot of time, grief, and money! If a pipe breaks or bursts, shutting off the water supply at the source can prevent significant flooding or water damage. If you’re replacing or performing repairs on gas or electric appliances, it’s important to shut off both the electricity and gas to those objects to prevent fires or leaks. If you smell gas in your home, you may have a leak; for fire safety it is improtant to cut off the gas supply and call the local gas company.
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