10 Repairs You Can Do Yourself
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Not born with the "handy gene?" Not to worry. Most home improvement gurus got their education through on-the-job experience.
Many home repairs are surprisingly simple. Here's a list of 10 basic fix-it jobs suitable for most beginners:
- Exterior landscaping - A local nursery or home improvement store can point you to easy-care plants that thrive in your region.
- Spackling - A little dab does the trick; simply fill those pesky wall holes and sand until smooth.
- Repainting a room - Just choose your color and roll away! But don't skimp on equipment; go for a quality brush and roller cover.
- Changing a door lock - Most door sets require just four simple screws. For older homes, make sure you buy a model that will fit your existing door configuration. When in doubt, bring the old door set along.
- Fixing a squeaky hinge - Choose graphite or another dry lubricant especially made for doors; don't use oils, which will only attract dirt.
- Repairing a broken sprinkler head - Most plastic sprinkler parts are easily interchangeable; just screw off the old head and/or riser, and replace the broken part. If the water line itself is cracked or broken, cut and repair using couplings and PVC glue.
- Patching or replacing a screen - Most hardware or home improvement stores sell replacement screen fabric. For tiny holes, try a simple hook-in-place patch.
- Adding a dimmer switch - Always shut off power to the circuit before you begin! Follow directions on the package carefully. If this is your first time dealing with electricity, ask a knowledgeable friend to help.
- Replacing a cracked tile - Carefully chip out the damaged tile; use mastic or thin set mortar to set a replacement tile and then grout. No exact duplicates on hand? Consider a patterned tile or contrasting color.
- Re-caulking a bath tub - Cut and gently scrape away old caulking; apply new tub-and-tile caulk using a squeeze tube or caulking gun.
Before tackling any project, take time to read up on the subject before you begin -- there's a wide selection of helpful home repair books as close as your neighborhood bookstore. Free brochures and even how-to classes are also available at many "big box" home improvement stores.
EXTRA TIP: Allow yourself plenty of time when tackling a home repair project for the first time. Try not to start something big just before relatives arrive, for example.
EXTRA TIP: Nervous about diving in? Ask a handy friend or relative to help you through a new project, or offer to help them with a home improvement job so you can learn how.
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