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27 DIY Home Repair Tips I Wish I knew Sooner

November 3, 2017 by Lisa Diaz 33 Comments

 

#9 Install Weatherstripping

weatherstrip doors and windows

(Source: truevalueprojects.com)

Don’t waste money trying to heat your home when you can easily apply weather stripping to your windows and doors.

What you need to do:
Apply weatherstripping that contains an adhesive that will stay permanently attached throughout the entire winter season. However, if your doors and windows will remain shut just use a temporary weatherstripping that can be easily peeled off.

#10 Stop the Squeaks

repair squeaky floor with baby powder

(Source: minimalisti.com)

Have you ever tried sneaking into the kitchen late at night for a midnight snack only to be caught with your hand in the leftover box of pizza because of squeaky floors? We have a solution to your problem, well, the squeaky floor problem, not the late night snacking one.

What you need to do:

Grab yourself some baby powder (Aka Talcum powder) and generously sprinkle onto the squeaky floor then sweep it into the cracks. Now you can enjoy sneaking that last slice of pizza before your spouse sneaks down for it.

#11 Squeaky Door Hinge

vaseline to remove squeaky door hinge

(Source: bobvilla.com)

Just like squeaky floors a squeaking door can aggravate a household. Nobody wants to make a grand entrance into every room they enter. Here’s a solution to this squeaky conundrum.

What you need to do:

You will need to fix the hinge pin by using pliers to pull out the pin and apply a thin coat of vaseline (petroleum jelly) and reinsert the hinge pin. Use a cloth to remove any excess vaseline. VoilĂ ! Squeak-free door.

#12 Unclogging the Garbage Disposal

how to fix a clogged garbage disposal

 

Too many times, people will treat their garbage disposal like a trash can instead of a shredder of dinner leftovers. Shoving other items, especially items with many fibers down the disposal causing it to clog up. Here are a few tips to dislodge your disposal.

What you need to do:

Place a stick down the drain to remove anything that can be removed easily. Please note: Some garbage disposal models have L-shaped hex wrench. If this is a model you have then turn off the power to your disposal insert the hex wrench in the opening of the disposals bottom and rotate back and forth until the impeller is free. Once the motor has cooled make sure to press the reset button and test out the garbage disposal to make sure it is running as it should.

#13 How To Fix Sticky Windows

repair sticky window

(Source: bobvilla.com)

The climate change can affect the functionality of a window due to temperature and humidity causing warping or expansion of the windows over time. Once this happens, the window will become stuck to the window frame making it hard to open and close.

What you need to do:

You will need a hammer and a block of wood for this project. Drive the block of wood between the track and the window. Rub some candle wax into the tracks and this will help keep the sashes from sliding.

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Comments

  1. Daniel says

    June 8, 2016 at 11:21 am

    As an HVAC professional I recommend against covering the thermostat. Its more than just a control pad. It has a temperature sensor in it that detects the temp of the air in the room its in. Covering it can limit air flow around the T-stat and cause the air in the room to be different from the air around the T-stat behind the cover. That will cause the system to come on/off based on the temp behind the cover regardless of the temp in the room/house.

    Reply
    • Mike says

      July 1, 2016 at 9:32 pm

      Excellent point of view, Daniel. However, if you’re swinging on a hinge described in the photo, you’re never really restricting the air-flow. A standard door hinge will out-kick 1/4 to 3/8th’s of an inch off of the wall — so we are not really restricting air-flow ( if anything, it’s minuscule). I do entirely agree about the point your trying to get across you’re absolutely right about never completely covering a T-stat.

      Reply
      • Sandra Shepard says

        July 21, 2016 at 9:53 pm

        What he is saying is that covering it up means that the thermostat will only make the temp behind the picture the temp you want. So when the temp behind the pic reaches 72 the air turns off which will mean the rest of the house will be colder or hotter. It will make your unit run more because it won’t accurately read the room temperature

        Reply
    • Scott says

      August 28, 2016 at 12:07 pm

      I agree with you. You should not cover the thermostat or impede airflow around it in any way.

      Reply
    • Kimberly says

      September 4, 2016 at 11:47 am

      That is alarm

      Reply
    • Richard says

      September 28, 2016 at 3:01 pm

      Daniel, the “tip” above was for covering a home security key pad not a thermostat, I agree 100% with your explanation for not covering a thermostat.

      Reply
  2. Raynette Kepa says

    June 11, 2016 at 1:31 am

    Thankyou trying out the food coloring drop right now, waiting 2 hours

    Reply
    • Mike says

      July 1, 2016 at 9:29 pm

      Awesome. This trick works great for detecting toilette leaks : ) Let me know how it goes.

      Reply
  3. Raynette Kepa says

    June 11, 2016 at 1:31 am

    Gonna buy Alka seltzer

    Reply
    • Mike says

      July 1, 2016 at 9:28 pm

      Let me know how it works for you, Raynette. It has been hit or miss with some. This could depend upon how bad the clog is. Worth a shot.

      Reply
  4. CARLA says

    June 12, 2016 at 7:40 pm

    What can you do about squeaky floors that have CARPET?

    Reply
    • Mike says

      July 1, 2016 at 9:27 pm

      Carla, one option you have, is to take a drywall screw and screw down into the flooring. One or two might do the trick. Try to locate the exact spot and spread the carpeting the best you can and drive a screw into the wood floor.

      Reply
  5. Judy says

    June 16, 2016 at 8:05 pm

    Can I receive these DYI ideas in my email

    Reply
    • Mike says

      July 1, 2016 at 9:24 pm

      Let me see what I can do, Judy. I might be able to include a printing option at the top of the article.

      Reply
  6. Sue says

    June 29, 2016 at 9:01 am

    Love your ideas

    Reply
    • Mike says

      July 1, 2016 at 9:22 pm

      Thank you, Sue.

      Reply
  7. Ginny says

    June 30, 2016 at 12:36 am

    Any tips of what to do with ceilings after removing the popcorn?

    Reply
    • Mike says

      July 1, 2016 at 9:22 pm

      You can smooth them out with a drywall sand-block and re-paint them

      Reply
    • T.A. Booty says

      December 14, 2016 at 7:58 pm

      I’ve never tried this, but read on another DIY site – cover entire room – contents & all – with painters plastic before you start to remove popcorn. ( Makes clean-up a breeze)
      Also, to make the ‘popcorn’ release from the wood it’s on – spray a fine mist of water on it & wait a few minutes. The popcorn will peel off with a spachalor or similar tool.

      Reply
  8. Tiffany says

    July 20, 2016 at 10:36 am

    Any ideas of how to get “white cloudy” stains out of wood furniture? Thanks in advance!

    Reply
  9. aimee says

    July 21, 2016 at 11:25 pm

    What can you do with a particle board dresser sir that’s all scratched up aside from just painting it is there another solution I bought it used and I know I need to sand it

    Reply
  10. Robin says

    July 25, 2016 at 9:32 am

    Hiding a thermostat behind something is a bad idea the thermostat is there in the open to sensor the air around it really doesn’t matter what it looks like it’s in the open for a purpose and we all have one

    Reply
  11. Gina says

    August 4, 2016 at 12:04 am

    FYI. You should know that popcorn ceilings can contain asbestos. It is harmless if undisturbed. Before removing it yourself, you should really have it tested to see what it is made up of. Breathing the particles in can cause lung cancer and should only be removed by a professional. That being said, It sure looks like a “neat” way to remove it.

    Reply
  12. Eric Edwards says

    August 5, 2016 at 1:24 pm

    The Vasilene idea is really bad! Better to use a dab of axle grease, won’t dry out like Vasilene will.

    Reply
  13. Vance says

    August 11, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    Please remove tip number 1 regarding removing popcorn ceilings! Especially in older homes, popcorn texture may contain asbestos fibers. Typical shop vacuums, even with HEPA filters, cannot filter out the extremely small fibers of asbestos generated when it is disturbed. The vacuum then blows these fibers out, spreading them throughout the house. Anyone removing popcorn ceiling should have it tested for asbestos prior to beginning work. Removing texture containing asbestos safely requires special equipment and training, and the consequences of improper procedure can be fatal to you or your family members.

    Reply
  14. connie says

    August 15, 2016 at 7:57 am

    Hints on fixing the edgeing of wood floors. Not just edges of floor but everywhere at some of the corners lufting just enough to be seen

    Reply
  15. Rhita Taylor says

    August 19, 2016 at 10:46 am

    I use golf tees to fix stripped screw holes. Just apply a little glue on the tee, insert it in the hole, let dry. Cut off the tee flush with the framing and replace the screw.

    Reply
  16. Rhita Taylor says

    August 19, 2016 at 10:48 am

    Baking soda and vinegar, followed by boiling water works great to unclog a sink drain too.

    Reply
    • AnneS says

      September 1, 2016 at 2:12 pm

      How much of baking soda per how much of vinegar? What is the ratio of the two ingredients?

      Reply
  17. Karla says

    September 7, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    How can you find out if your popcorn ceiling has asbestos in it? The house was built in 1986.

    Reply
    • Mike says

      September 14, 2016 at 6:35 pm

      Hi Karla, it’s best you consult with a home inspector to have a sample tested.

      Reply
  18. Regina carroll says

    September 8, 2016 at 5:23 pm

    How can I clean my car seats? They are stained n dirty?

    Reply
  19. Nichole says

    October 20, 2016 at 4:15 pm

    Great information. The coloring in the toilet worked wonders.

    Reply

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