If you own a home, taking good care of it is essential. Regular maintenance helps you avoid costly repairs and maintain the property value. Luckily, there are many simple tasks you can quickly complete on your own. Here are a few DIY home maintenance projects you can tackle in a day or weekend.
Paint a Room
Painting is a simple project that can completely transform your space. Purchase high-quality paint, rollers, and brushes online or at your nearest hardware store. If your walls have nail holes, repair them first. You’ll need to add a putty knife, fine-grit sandpaper, and spackle to your shopping list. Before you begin painting, move furniture away from the walls and cover it with plastic to protect it from paint. Clean and repair the walls, and then you’re ready to paint.
DIY Home Maintenance: Fix a Leaking Faucet
A dripping faucet can often be repaired by replacing the rubber washer inside the handle. This task takes about an hour to complete. Turn off the water supply, remove the handle, and install a new washer. It’s a quick and easy fix, and you’ll save the money you would’ve spent hiring a professional.
Replace HVAC Filters
Changing the air filters is a minor task many homeowners overlook. A clean filter increases the longevity of your HVAC unit, enhances indoor air quality, and improves your home’s energy efficiency. Replace the HVAC filters every 30 to 90 days, or as the manufacturer recommends, to keep the system running smoothly. If you share a home with allergy-sufferers or pets, replace the filter monthly.
DIY Home Maintenance Tasks for the Gutters
Gutters funnel rainwater away from your property. When they become clogged and overflowing, the water can significantly damage your roof and lead to mold growth. Overflowing gutters can also lead to basement flooding and damage to the landscaping.
Clean your gutters at least twice yearly, in the spring and fall. However, if trees surround your home, clean the guttering more often. Use a ladder to access the channels and remove leaves, twigs, and other debris with a gloved hand. Afterward, rinse the gutters with the garden hose. Have a friend or family member steady the ladder for safety.
Inspect the Roof
While cleaning gutters on the ladder, look for cracked, damaged, or missing shingles. If you see signs of damage, make repairs immediately. If you don’t have a ladder, hire a roofing expert for the inspection. They will inform you about the current condition of your roof and whether you need to replace shingles and make minor repairs or install a new roof.
Check the Toilet for Leaks
A running toilet can significantly increase your water bill. Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait an hour or two to see if the color seeps into the bowl. If water leaks from the tank to the bowl, replace the flapper inside your tank. You may need to replace the toilet if the water leak is near the base.
The above home maintenance tasks are manageable for the average homeowner. However, this doesn’t mean everyone can tackle every task. Evaluate any project’s time, expense, and risks before deciding to do it yourself.
Low Keys Home Inspections offers home inspections to homebuyers and sellers in the Florida Keys. Contact us to request an appointment.