One of the best ways to save money is to do your own home repairs. You can save a lot of money by doing simple repairs yourself instead of hiring a professional. Below are some of the top home repairs that you can do yourself to save money.
Tightening a Faucet Handle
One of the easiest and most common repairs that can be done at home is tightening a faucet handle. This repair only requires a wrench and takes less than five minutes to complete. The first step is to identify which type of faucet you have. There are two types: compression and cartridge. If you are not sure, take off the cap on the top of the faucet and see if there is a small cartridge inside with Springs around it. If there is, then you have a cartridge faucet. If there is not, then you have a compression faucet. For compression faucets, turn the wrench counterclockwise until it feels tight; then give it another half turn (or one full turn if it’s very loose). For cartridge faucets, remove the retaining clip by pushing down on one end with a screwdriver and pulling up on the other end. Then twist the cartridge left or right until it comes out. Replace it with a new one by pushing it down into place and twisting it back into position. Finally, reattach the retaining clip by reversing these steps.
Repairing a Screen Door
Screen doors provide ventilation and security for your home. They can become damaged over time, however, and may need to be repaired. You can repair a screen door yourself to save money. The most common problem with screen doors is the mesh becoming loose or torn. To fix this, you will need some wire mesh, pliers, and a screwdriver. Remove the screws from the door frame that hold the mesh in place. Cut a piece of wire mesh that is slightly larger than the hole in the door using pliers. Bend the edges of the wire mesh around the hole so that it is flush with the door frame and reattach using screws. If you have a sliding screen door, it may become stuck partially open or closed due to debris or wear and tear. To fix this, spray lubricant on the tracks and move the door back and forth several times to loosen it up. If this does not work, you may need to replace the tracks or rollers on which the door moves.
Fixing a Toilet
There are a few things that you can do to fix a toilet without having to call a professional. If it is clogged, one way to try to clear it is to pour boiling water down the drain. You can also try using a plunger. If neither of those methods work, you may need to use a snake or auger to clear the clog. Another common problem is that they run constantly or overflow. To fix this, you may need to adjust the flapper or the chain. If neither of those solutions work, then you may need to replace the entire flush valve mechanism. Lastly, if it doesn’t seem to be draining properly, you may need to clean out the drainage trap or remove any blockages in the pipe
These are just a few of the most important household repairs that end up costing you money but you can do yourself. If you’re looking to make any repairs at home and need a ride, you can always call the Lyft for seniors phone number to get a ride for supplies you may need for the repairs. It’s a great way to guarantee reliable transportation when running any errands.
Overall, the top home repairs that you can do yourself to save money are relatively simple and inexpensive. By taking on some of these projects yourself, you can save yourself a lot of money in the long run.