#11 Fix or Replace a Broken Toilet Lever
Having a damaged toilet lever is not a serious issue as it is relatively simple to repair. In some cases, when you go to press the lever and discover that it doesn’t flush, then all you will have to do is remove the tank lid and re-attach the underwater chain.
Now, if this isn’t the problem then your toilet handle may be corroded, or the parts that connect to the handle may have broke, which again is not a serious issue as the parts are very affordable to replace. Check out this informative how-to video.
Tools/materials you’ll need: Adjustable Wrench
Video Source: HomeownerSeries
#12 Unclog a Toilet Drain
First, the trusty old toilet plunger should be the first attempt. If the toilet bowl is low on water, add some to replenish so that the head of the plunger gets submerged. Give it several downward thrusts (8-10) and watch it clear up and the water to begin moving freely again.
If the first method didn’t succeed, then try the second. Toilet augers can handle tougher clog jobs than the household plunger. Insert the auger in the toilet until it nears the end of the clog and turn the crank with a sturdy grip then pull out the clog. Wallah. For more instructions watch the video.
Tools/materials you’ll need: Toilet plunger – Toilet auger
Video Source: ThisOldHouse
#13 Fix a Leaky Bathroom or Kitchen Pipe
Pipe leaks commonly occur under the bathroom and kitchen sinks. The culprits tend to be a broken compression nut that is supposed to be sealing the pipe or a worn out washer. Now, to get this issue fixed, you will need to first turn off the water valve to the sink.
After you’ve turned off the water, grab a bucket and place it underneath the pipe. Next, twist off the compression nuts and rinse out the P-trap (curvy elbow) and replace the washer. Screw everything back together and turn on the water valve and test out the pipes for leakage.
Tools/materials you’ll need: Replacement washer – Bucket
Video Source: Tomahawk DIY
#14 Fixing Ceramic Shower Tile
Fixing the tile in a shower may seem intimidating, however, as difficult as it might look or expensive it isn’t. All you need to do is watch a video from someone experienced in repairing ceramic tile to achieve a better understanding of the process. Check out the clip.
Video Source: ehowathomechannel
#15 Fix a Window Jam
The winter has ended, and it’s time to open up the windows finally to bask in the cool fresh air, then you notice your window is stuck. It has accumulated dirt and debris from being closed for so long and is difficult to open.
Not a tough task, trust me. Watch the video for some guidance and you will be well on your way to smelling the fresh spring air.
Tools/materials you’ll need:
Putty Knife – WD40 – Rag – Cleaning supplies
Video Source: Howdini
#16 Fix a Sliding Door That Sticks
Many homeowners run into that annoying problem of a sticky sliding door. The first on-demand action is to grab some lubricant and lay it on the rollers and the track, and that’s great because it won’t collect dirt. However, this may only be a temporary solution.
The next solution is to pop the door out of its alignment and give the rollers and tracks a thorough cleaning then re-lubricate the rollers and tracks. Below is a how-to video that will show you how to loosen those sliding doors.
Tools/materials you’ll need: Lubricant/Silicone spray – Screwdriver (Philips or a flat)
Video Source: doublewide6
#17 How to Fix or Replace a Window Screen
Have you ever had a crochet blanket that became loose on one side (minor) then to have it spiral into a ball of yarn that no longer looks like a blanket? Well, that’s what will eventually happen when you notice a tear in your window screen. It starts off as a minuscule rip then escalates into a screen that flaps over entirely.
Before you start repairing your window screen do make sure to find out if your screen is made from metal or fiberglass. Fiberglass can be sewed up; meanwhile, metal gets fixed by household cement.
Check out the video below on how to fix or repair a broken window screen.
Tools/materials you’ll need if fixing a screen:
Screwdriver (Phillips or flat) – Household cement or superglue (for small fixes on metal screens) – Sewing kit (for small repairs on fiberglass screens) – Utility knife – Tape measure – Screen Patches (for hole up to 3″ inches in diameter) – Needle nosed pliers
If you’re replacing the screen you will need these materials:
Roll of screen – Spline – Spline tool
Video Source: DoitBest
#18 Repair Minor Scratches on Wood Furniture
Repairing minor scratches on wood furniture is not a difficult task. You will just need to apply a matching stain to the scratch and rub it in with an old towel rag. Apply some polyurethane that is the same as what is used on the furniture. Just do make sure to remove any excess stain to avoid ruining the appearance of the furniture.
Materials you may need: Stain that matches the wood furniture – A finish (polyurethane) that is the same as what was used on the furniture – Old towel rage – Paintbrush (small)
Video Source: ehowathomechannel
#19 Fix a Door That Won’t Stay Closed
There you have it, a door that you have to lift strategically for it to close properly or open. Three things could be going on here.
The fit between the door and the jamb is way too tight: If there isn’t enough gap space in-between, the door can’t close and will need to be re-positioned.
The stop molding is not properly aligned or out of shape: If you’re wondering, the stop trim is what the door rest against while closed shut. You might need to a. sand down the door and refinish the molding or b. Striking the molding into a better position with a hammer.
The strike plate might have to be re-adjusted: Instead of latching the latch might be touching the strike plate which will interfere with the door shutting. Before you fix the strike plate check to see if the screws are loose and tighten them to see if this may have been the issue. If the screws weren’t loose, proceed to the next step. Grind out the striking plate with a rotary tool or metal file.
Check out the video.
Video Source: MonkeySee
#20 Fix a Door That Sticks
Now that we covered the door that won’t close properly it is time to dive into the topic of the door that wants to stay closed. Yes, the sticky door predicament. The reason for a door becoming sticky is usually because of a hinge screw becoming too loose. Tighten up the loose screw to see if that will help matters, any.
If that method didn’t work, you could then try to find a stripped screw hole. If this was not the case, then check out the video on how to repair that issue.
Now if the hinges weren’t the factor here, then it may be that the door needs to be sanded and refinished.
Video Source: MonkeySee
#21 Fix or Replace a Casement Window
Casement windows are wildly known for the problem with stopping before the window is fully cranked causing homeowners to push the window back in from the outside – who needs that?
The casement window operator is to blame for all the aggravation you’re suffering because the mechanism that closes the window needs to be replaced or fixed. Check out the video for further information.
Video Source: SWISCO
#22 Fix a Wood Drawer That Sticks
Wooden drawers become sticky when the paint that is on the drawer begins to rub against the wood inside. If you open up the drawer and see that there’s paint on the edge, it could be preventing the drawer to slide as it should. Remove the paint. If the paint is latex, then you can use a heat gun (or blow dryer) followed by stripping the paint with a putting knife.
If those as mentioned above wasn’t the problem, check to see if the frame is being rubbed against by the drawer. Sand it down with sandpaper at the areas where the rubbing takes place.
Check out the video.
Video Source: Ron Hazelton
#23 Repair a Leaky Outdoor Faucet
It’s time to reduce the water bill folks, and that entails fixing that outdoor leaking faucet. Don’t worry – it’s easy!
There are only two places the leaks could originate from, and those two sweet spots are the spout or the handle. If the handle is causing the leakage, then get a wrench and tighten the packing nut (located behind the handle).
If it wasn’t the packing nut, the leak might be coming from the faucet itself and so the handle will have to be taken apart – make sure the water source is turned off. Please check out the video for further information.
Video Source: A4WE
#24 Repair a Garden Hose
There usually tends to be two troubleshooting methods when it comes to a leaking garden hose because it is either a tear in the hose or the point of connection with a sprayer and a replacement washer will do the trick.
If it’s a tear, then a patch job is in order. For small tears, a tiny amount of duct tape is all that is needed but for larger cuts then you will need to cut the section that has the tear then attach the remaining ends together using a mender insert along with two hose clamps. For more information please watch the video below.
Video Source: Your Own Victory Garden