Owning a home comes with the responsibility of taking care of your home. A little regular care and maintenance, like checking plumbing, heating, and air conditioning annually, can avoid most major home repairs. While it’s best to call in an expert when you’re unsure, there are many common home repairs that are fairly easy for homeowners to perform.
Clogged drain. If you experience a clogged drain, remove and clean the sink stopper. If you still have a clog, turn off the water supply under the sink. Avoid using chemicals to remove the clog as they are harmful to pipes and are rarely effective. Call a plumber if nothing seems to be working.
Electrical fault. An electrical failure could result from a blown fuse or circuit breaker. Find your fuse box that is often found in the garage, basement, or outside your home. Return tripped breaker to “on” position or replace blown fuse. Before replacing a fuse, unplug everything connected to that circuit and turn off the main power. Remove the blown fuse and replace it with the exact same amperage fuse. If you still have no power after following these steps, call an electrician.
Leaky faucet. Leaky faucets require immediate attention. Not only are they annoying, but they waste quite a bit of water. To fix a leaky faucet, turn off the water under the sink. Remove the handle from the faucet by loosening the screw at the top. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the packing nut and remove the stem. Find a screw with a washer on the bottom of the stem. Buy a new washing machine at any hardware store. Once the washer is replaced, tighten everything again. Turn the water back on and the drip should disappear.
Broken garbage disposal. Always use cold water when grinding food to move it through the drain lines. Fats and grease solidify in cold water, making it easy to wash through the lines, while hot water causes grease and grease to accumulate in the drain line. Do not throw away items other than food. Try grinding ice from time to time to clean deposits and odors.
Although the homeowner can handle many repairs, there will be times when hiring an expert is unavoidable. Consider preparing a list of telephone numbers for plumbers and electricians. Ask your friends and neighbors for references.
