Skip to Body

Blog Posts By Date: October 2017

10/24/2017

10 Common Repairs You Need to Remember

10 Common Repairs You Need to Remember

Owning a home means performing repairs – it’s part and parcel of the job. We’ve gathered a list of 10 typical repairs that you’ll want to remember if you’re looking to keep your property in top shape. Tackle That Toilet Don’t automatically blame the water pressure. If your toilet isn’t flushing up to your standards, it’s almost certainly sediment and calcium clogging the holes under the rim. You can fix this by scrubbing the area with a stiff-bristled brush. Paint Has Power For effects large and small, you can’t beat a simple paint job. Keep in mind, however, that when you haul out your brushes and rollers, sloppy paint jobs are as detrimental as sharp ones are beneficial. Good preparation – removal of fixtures or hardware that may impede your paint job, clean walls, and masking built-ins, baseboards, and moldings – is key. Give Grout New Life It happens: good grout goes bad. Take heart: using a grout-removal attachment on a rotary tool can help you remove all the grout from a shower in just a few hours. Replacing it with new color-coordinated grout can offer new life in place of that old look. Count on Caulk That sealant known as caulk is a heroic protector of floors and walls – but over the years it can deteriorate or discolor, exposing your home to the perils of moisture and mold. It’s time to install new stuff – but make sure that you completely remove the old caulk first or the new bead won’t stick. As with painting, preparation here is particularly important. Those Darn Doors Squeaking? Sticking? Don’t worry – fixing crazy-making doors can be made easy with a rotary tool and the correct attachment. If your door is sticking, use a Dremel XPR to shave the edge; if it’s squeaking, rub petroleum jelly on the hinges. Fix That Faucet The average home wastes a jaw-dropping 11,000 gallons of water each year due to drips and leaks, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. You can start the repair process by simply shutting off the faucet’s water supply – the shutoff valve is never far – and then determine your type of faucet. Compression-style faucets are most common, but keep in mind that repair procedures will differ depending on your specific brand. Shore Up Water Heaters Leaking water heaters can usually be traced to rusting at the bottom; since there is no efficient repair for this, you’ll need to replace the unit. Consider doing so with a newer, more energy-efficient model. Care for Climate Control No one wants their air conditioning conking out in the middle of summer, or their heating system faltering in the dead of winter. Before weather becomes extreme, be certain that your climate control is working properly – or stock up on fans, blankets, and patience. Don’t Dither with the Disposal Keep garbage disposals in good condition by running cold water while in use in order to move the waste down the drain; this will help grease and fats harden and congeal. Since hot water does just the opposite, avoid using it. Refine Your Floorboards It makes sense that what’s underfoot is going to get scratched. You can handle light scratches with steel wool, but break out the sandpaper for the bigger jobs.   more...