If you live in a property long term you will understand about the common home maintenance issues that reoccur with regularity. By a certain stage of home ownership most of us maintain a weekly, monthly yearly home maintenance checklist. In this article we offer homeowners some great DIY solutions to help with these regularly occurring domestic challenges.

Common home maintenance issues and their DIY solutions

Do you have a leaky faucet, a broken light switch, or a door that won’t stay closed? Homeowners often face minor repair and a myriad of common home maintenance issues.

DIY grit and resolve

While it can be tempting to call in an expert for even the smallest of problems, there are many household repairs and fixes that you can do yourself with minimal effort. From repairing leaks to replacing lights and more, these tips will help you tackle common house issues without breaking the bank or having to wait for professional assistance.

What type of maintenance would be common in homes?

In this article we offer you a practical all you need to know for DIY in these 6 common maintenance fixes.

1. Leaky Faucets: 

A leaky faucet or tap can be both annoying and costly. It wastes water and increases your monthly utility bill. Most importantly it is a really common household maintenance task. To fix a leaky faucet, start by turning off the water supply to the faucet. Then, remove the handle and use a wrench or pliers to unscrew the stem nut that holds down the washer inside of the valve seat.

Putting it all back together

Replace any worn-out parts before reassembling them all back together. Additionally, use a layer of plumber’s tape around the stem to ensure a tight seal. This should fix the problem. Also, consider upgrading to a low-flow faucet aerator to save even more water.

2. Broken Light Switch: 

A broken light switch is another common house issue that can be quickly fixed with the right tools and knowledge. To fix it, start by turning off the power at the breaker box and unscrewing the switch from the wall.

Inspect it for any exposed wires or damage before replacing it with a new one of the same type. Reconnect all of your wirings, attach the cover plate, and then turn on the power again to test it out.

Check the legal requirements

If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, hire an electrician for help. This should fix your broken light switch. For instance, if you have a 3-way light switch, make sure when replacing it that you got the same type.

3. Toilet That Won’t Flush:  

A toilet that won’t flush is another common home maintenance issue. To remedy this problem, start by checking the handle for any blockages or damage. If the handle appears to be fine, check the lift chain inside the tank to ensure it isn’t broken or tangled. Next, make sure the water level in the tank is high enough and that there are no clogs in the drain pipe.

Check before you ask a plumber to help

If all else fails, replace the flapper valve at the bottom of your tank. This may need replacing from time to time due to wear and tear. Replacing this part should get your toilet up and running again in no time. Also, make sure to replace the entire flapper valve and not just the rubber seal. 

4. Doors That Won’t Stay Closed: 

If your doors won’t stay closed, it could be due to an issue with the hinges or strike plates. To fix a door that won’t close properly, start by inspecting the door and its frame for any damage or misalignment. Then, check the hinges and adjust them as needed before reattaching them to the door frame.

Finally, replace any worn-out strike plates with new ones before testing out your repair job.

Doors and cupboard doors

If you still find that your doors won’t stay closed, contact a professional carpenter for assistance. For a cupboard door that simply wont shut consider buying thin matching magnets to put on opposite surfaces. It is a pretty common home maintenance issue and the professional will find a quick fix.

5. Gaps Around Windows and Doors: 

Gaps around windows and doors can make your home drafty and uncomfortable, as well as increase your energy bills. To fix this issue, start by adding weatherstripping to the frames of your windows and doors. Also, use caulk or expandable foam insulation to seal any large gaps in your window and door frames.

This should help keep the air inside your home instead of letting it out through these drafts.

Energy saving tips and touches

Additionally, consider installing storm windows for extra protection from the elements. For instance, you may want to choose windows with a Low-E coating for extra insulation.  Many DIY homeowners  put these tips on their list for maintenance tasks and repairs before Winter every year.

6. Dripping Showerhead:

If your showerhead is dripping water, start by removing it from the wall and replacing the old washer with a new one. This is a really common home maintenance challenge many people face. For best results, use a wrench to remove and replace the washer as it will be easier than trying to do so with your fingers.

Top tip to stop that drip

Additionally, make sure to use the plumber’s tape around the threads of the showerhead before reattaching it to the wall. This should stop any water from leaking out of your showerhead. If this doesn’t work, contact a professional plumber for assistance. 

If you have experienced extensive damp because of a neglected leak then you need to consider damp treatment. Also consider introducing a heater on a temporary basis to your circulate warm air around the room. This will accelerate and help the plaster drying from damp.

Final thoughts on common home maintenance tasks

No matter what the common home maintenance issue, there are many easy-to-follow DIY solutions that can help you repair common household problems. From fixing a dripping showerhead to sealing gaps around windows and doors, these tips should get your home running better in no time.

If you feel uncomfortable doing any of this work yourself or if it doesn’t seem to be working correctly, don’t hesitate to call a professional for assistance.

With some patience and dedication, even novice homeowners can do simple repairs with just a few tools on hand! Make sure you keep these six DIY solutions on your common home maintenance services list. You may even want to prepare a home maintenance planner. This can help you to ensure you anticipate seasonal issues.

FURTHER READING ON HOME MAINTENANCE

At Housesitmatch.com we like to share useful blogs and practical advice about home maintenance, housesitters and house sitting for spring summer fall winter. We hope you find this small selection of our blogs useful.

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