7 Easy Essential Home Maintenance Tasks Every Homeowner Should Know

Looking to spruce up your home for the holidays?  Then you’ll need to familiarize yourself with these 7 easy home maintenance tasks every homeowner should know.  From basic repairs to carpentry 101 to easy plumbing fixes, on today’s blog we’re covering all the essentials for keeping your home in tip-top shape. 

Learning these easy DIY fixes means you can troubleshoot smaller problems and save a few more dollars for holiday gifting instead of contractors!  Plus, the basic tools covered in each category would make great holiday gift ideas for friends and family who are just starting their homeownership or renovation journey.

Let's explore the checklist of essential home maintenance tasks together!

Build a solid tool kit for basic home repairs. Your basic homeowner toolkit should at minimum include: a ladder, a utility knife, a variety set of screwdrivers, a claw hammer, an adjustable wrench, a variety set of pliers, a tape measure, a cordless drill, and a level.  Additional tools that can be helpful for minor home repair work include clamps, a circular saw, a sander, LED lights, an outlet tester, circuit tester,  a small handsaw, a multitool, a gas detector, a stud finder, an awl, wire strippers, needle nose pliers, a multimeter, a hacksaw, a variety pack of drain snakes etc.  Now that we’ve got all the active tools out of the way, let’s also make sure you’ve got plenty of safety gear: a headlamp, quality respirator, cutting gloves, safety goggles, and noise dampening ear protection. 

Know where the main cut-off valves are for the water supply, gas lines, and electrical panel.  If you’ve read our recent new homeowner guide, you’ll already have done this task, so well done you!  Otherwise, make sure you find the main switches for gas, electric, and water and make sure your family members also know how to access them in case of emergency.

For the DIYer this is vital if you decide to fix any issues with plumbing, changing out appliances, fixing electrical outlets/switches, swap out light fixtures In the event of a burst pipe or leak, shutting off the water supply is essential for flood prevention and reducingwater damage.  If you’re changing appliances for gas stoves or gas dryers, you’ll need to shut off the main gas line as well.

Hiring a professional for these tasks is of course perfectly valid, and in that case you can just show them where the shut-offs are as needed!  It’s also a great idea to make sure that the numbers for your utility companies and local fire department are within reach in case of emergency, especially in the area of the shut-offs.

Learn the basics of carpentry so you can tackle simple repair tasks.  In a culture obsessed with “replace and buy new”, understanding how to do basic carpentry repairs can save you money!   Once you know the basics of Woodworking 101, you will be able to do things like replace and repair cabinet doors, repair molding, repair furniture legs, etc. instead of having to purchase a replacement. Learning how to measure and mark height/width with tools like a level, tape measure, and T-Square will open up a world of tasks.  Remember, the goal is “measure twice, cut once”!

Next you’ll want to learn basic straight cut and cross cut techniques, as well as simple joinery; this will come in handy when fixing molding or adding trim!  Knowing how to identify the proper application between soft wood and hardwood, open grain and closed grain, and which wood varieties are best for low-moisture/high-moisture situations will do you well.

And last but not least, a good rule of thumb for any project or repair is to always buy a little extra lumber or material than you think you need, especially if you’re still learning. 

Familiarize yourself in basic drywall patching and repair.  Whether your kid dents the wall, you’re moving furniture and scratches it, or a door gets pushed too enthusiastically and puts a hole in the wall… knowing how to patch it can save you money Sometimes, life happens! Your new homeowner toolkit should include several grits of sandpaper, fast-curing spackle and drywall compound, a variety sized pack of putty knives, drywall joint tape, and self-adhesive fiberglass tape. Having these things on hand means you can fix those little “life happens” mopments with ease.

To cover small dents and dings, you’ll need some fast drying spackle and a putty knife.  Apply a thin, even layer of spackle over the area and allow it to dry for 24-hr or according to package instructions. Once the spackle is dry, you may paint over the area with the corresponding wall paint.

To fix small holes or thin cracks, you can use spackle and a patch-kit.  Using self-adhesive tape or self-adhesive patch squares, cover the hole.  Apply a thin coat of spackle or compound over the mesh and smooth it out so it’s as level to the wall as you’re able to make it.  Allow the compound to dry according to package directions. You can use very fine grit sandpaper to smooth the outer edges once it's dry, then apply a thin coat of wall paint over the area to protect the repair.

For medium sized holes up to 6in, you’ll use the “California Patch Method”.  Measure the hole in the wall, and cut a piece of drywall that is 2in larger in width and height from your measurements. Score the back of the drywall patch piece, and snap away the gypsum edges leaving the top paper layer behind.  Apply spackle or compound around the hole, and gently cover it with the piece and then add a thin layer of compound on the outside. Let it dry, and add more spackle/compound as needed.

Perform basic plumbing tasks like unclogging shower and sink drains, and clearing a clog from a toilet or drainage pipe.  Clogged sinks and shower drains are a common household malady.  Avoid having to call the plumber for small clogs by keeping a few simple tools on hand!   Head off to the hardware store and pick up the following: plumbing auger or drain snake, a toilet auger, a cup plunger, a flange plunger or beehive plunger, accordion plunger, as well as some eco-safe chemical drain clearing liquids.  Grabbing a drain-catch or drain plug to prevent hair, debris, and pet fur from clogging sinks and tub drains is also a smart move.

If you notice your sink or shower/tub drain are not emptying quickly and water is pooling, it may be time to use a plumbing auger or “drain snake” to remove hair and debris plugs. There are several types of drain snakes on the market, so follow the directions on the packaging for how to insert and use the product.

If manually clearing the drain is not working, you can pour in an eco-safe drain cleaner; avoid harsh chemical options as these can lead to damaging the pipes over time with repeated use. After you’ve followed the manufacturer timelines on the drain cleaner liquid or gel, if the water is still not flowing freely, you can attempt to snake the pipes again.

If you’ve attempted these steps at least 3 times to no avail, it’s definitely time to call in the professional plumber!

Discover the art of properly hanging a gallery wall or putting up wall decor that won’t fall down.  To create a gallery wall or hang artwork, you’ll need the following: a level, stud finder, picture hooks and nails, drywall screws with anchors, adhesive strips.  With just a few short steps you can easily get professional looking results for your wall art.

You’ll first use the stud finder to look for wood studs and beams behind the wall; this will be your first choice in the area to mount your artwork without wall damage, as they’re very strong and sturdy.  If you’re not able to find one, using a screw with drywall anchors and specialty picture-hanging hooks will be a great alternative; choose your drywall anchor based on the weight of hte object you wish to hang – the maximum weight capacity will be listed on the packaging.

When in doubt, it’s better to over-estimate the weight of an item and select a drywall anchor that’s a little heftier.  In the worst case scenario, something might fall and hit a family member or pet – so err on the side of caution to avoid injury!  If the drywall anchor is not strong enough to support the weight of the fram + glass or decor item, you may risk significant damage like cracks and holes in the wall.

Understand how to apply paint primer, properly select paint finishes, and how to prep a space for a clean painting session.  To complete a painting job properly you’ll need the following: green painters tape in various widths, high-quality paint rollers (the best you can afford!), synthetic taklon paint brushes in varying widths, natural bristle paint brushes in varying widths, paint roller trays, a drop cloth or plastic sheeting, and the proper amount of paint per room.  The minimum amount of coverage for most gallon cans of paint is an average of 400 square feet. To properly determine the amount of paint required to complete your project, you’ll need to multiply the height and width of each wall and determine the square footage.

Selecting the proper paint finish for the environment will prevent having to repaint or repair walls! In high humidity areas liek a kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom generally need high gloss, semi gloss, or eggshell; flat and matte paints, satin paints, and eggshell work well in living rooms, offices, and bedrooms; if painting a kids room, it’s recommended to have an easily washable surfaces such as semi-gloss or eggshell.

To prep a room for painting, tape off the edges of the ceiling, molding around doorways and windows, and along the floor to prevent over painting and drips. Next, lay out a drop cloth on the floor and cover any surfaces, furniture, and electronics you don’t want to accidentally get dripped on. Ready your brushes and rollers, and make sure to have some plastic wrap or plastic bags on hand to keep wet brushes and rollers protected in between coats.When you start painting, aply the paint in thin, even layers and remember to work top to bottom and use long strokes in a “W” pattern to prevent roller marks. For corners, we recommend using a paint brush for more precise edges. Let each coat dry to the touch, anywhere from 2 to 6 hours but always follow the dry time directions on the paint can for best practice.

Did we leave an essential home maintenance task off the list that you’d like to see us cover in the future? Let us know in the comments here or on our social media at @PintoCarpentryNJ on Facebook and Instagram!  And be sure to check out the rest of our blog content to learn more about important homeownership tips and tricks to save you money on maintenance and repairs.

One of the things we don’t recommend for the average homeowner to DIY repairs on are railings and stairs.  Pinto Carpentry is ready to help you with your handrail repair or replacement, staircase tread repair or full staircase replacement, just give us a shout!  Stairs and rails are an essential home safety feature, and it’s vital they’re kept within local building code.  With more than two decades of experience and plenty of calls to fix a past “DIY”, we’ve seen enough to know that most owner fixes on stairs and rails should’ve been a call to the pros.  Let us take the stress out of it for you, so it’s done right the first time with ease!

We’re available for both residential and commercial construction projects in regards to handrail installation and repair, staircase installation and repair, and related carpentry work.  Give us a call to request a free consultation and receive a customized estimate!  Our knowledgeable staff will be able to guide you to quality, affordable solutions that meet your style choices, project needs, and budget.  We can’t wait to work with you!  New appointments for 2027 will be opening soon.