5 Simple Home Maintenance Tasks that you Can DIY

by Julian Lane www.thefixitchamp.com

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Every homeowner is well-acquainted with paying a down payment, mortgage, and insurance. In fact, most people even know to expect certain costs for remodeling and major home repairs at some point down the road. One aspect that eludes many homeowners at the outset, however, is the cost of keeping their home in shape.
 
Home maintenance is an expense that all homeowners can expect, but it seems to sneak up on us every time a minor repair is needed. Since bringing in a professional for every little thing can quickly get expensive, we’ve listed five simple home maintenance tasks that can be done DIY, which will ultimately save you some serious money.
 
That Dragging HVAC System
 
HVAC systems are complex, and there isn’t a lot that can be done DIY to fix them. One thing you can do, however, is to change the air filter regularly. Many times, when the HVAC is dragging or seems not to be working normally, it’s only because the filter is dirty or clogged. When changing the filter, you want to ensure you get the right size. Look on the side of the filter to see what size you need to replace it with, and if you need a custom-sized filter, an online tool like this one can help you find the right one.
 
That Hole in the Wall from Your Doorknob
 
Have you ever slammed the door into the wall and created a nice hole? This can usually be fixed quite easily. Purchase a drywall patch that will fit the hole with at least an inch of excess around the area. Place the patch around the hole, cover it with spackling, allow it to dry, and sand it smooth. You may need to do this a few times to get the patched area flush with the surrounding area. Once flush, prime and paint to blend it in with the rest of the wall.
 
That Broken Drawer/Cabinet Handle
 
When a drawer or cabinet handle is loose, it’s usually because the screw holes in the wood are stripped out. To fix this problem, you just need wood glue, toothpicks, and a screwdriver. Remove the handle and stick a toothpick into the screw hole to see how deep it is. Then, apply the necessary amount of glue to the toothpick, and insert the toothpick into the screw hole. Use as many toothpicks as it takes to fill the hole. Once the glue dries, break off the exposed ends and screw the handle back on. Problem solved!
 
That Leaky Faucet
 
A leaky faucet is one of the sneakiest wallet killers in your home, as it can raise your water bill significantly. In most cases, it’s simply a loose packing nut. Try removing the faucet handle and tightening the packing nut underneath with a wrench.
 
If that doesn’t stop the leak, try these steps:
 

• Turn off the water.
• Take off the stem assembly under the handle.
• Replace the old washer at the base with a new one.
• Put the stem assembly back on.
• Turn on the water.

 
Those Elusive Studs in the Wall
 
Knowing how to locate studs is essential for any kind of work or decorating that involve the walls in your home. The easiest way to find a stud is to use an electric stud-finder, which you glide along the wall, and it alerts you when it runs across a stud. If you don’t have a stud-finder available, you’ll need to tap on the wall to find the studs. Drywall should sound hollow when there is no stud and more solid when there is a stud. To give you a starting point, know that studs are typically about 16 inches apart from one another.
 
You can cut down on the sneaky home maintenance costs that rack up over time. These common home repairs are a good place to start, but it’s important to do your research so you can become equipped to handle a variety of issues that arise. The more you learn how to do maintenance projects yourself, the more money you will save.