Basic Home Maintenance Skills and Repairs the Average Homeowner Should Know

When embarking on the journey of homeownership, there’s a lot of things to consider.  If you’re moving into your first home after renting or living with family, chances are you may encounter a lot of unexpected hiccups such as repairs and renovations.  While it might seem smart to call in the pros for every little thing, that might not always be the friendliest option to your wallet.  Sometimes, a little elbow grease and some DIY energy can save you a lot of money!  As you go along, you’ll learn when it is best to call in the pros and when the situation can be remedied by a google search, youtube video, and trip to your local hardware store.  Today on the blog, we’re going to discuss some of the key skills every homeowner should know for convenient home maintenance savings.

Build a solid tool kit for basic home repairs.  First, we’ll discuss safety gear: you’ll want to invest in a headlamp, quality respirator, cutting gloves, safety goggles, and noise dampening ear protection. Beyond that, 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.

Know where the cut-off valves are for the water supply, how to turn off the gas, and flip the circuit breakers to various rooms/the whole house.   If you are working on any issues with plumbing, changing out appliances, fixing light switches, or even swapping out light fixtures, you’ll need to know how to turn the utilities on and off in the home for safety. In the event of a burst pipe or leak, shutting off the water supply can also prevent further costly repair and long-term water damage.  In the event of a leak or damaged pipe, shutting off gas and electricity can be a safety precaution.  You should also make sure that the numbers for your utility companies and local fire department are within reach and visuals for all household members, in case of emergency.

Understanding the basics of carpentry skills can help reduce costs in home repairs.   Take the time to learn how to properly measure and mark height, width, and depth with things like a level, tape measure, and T-square – there’s a reason the mantra measure twice, cut once is so ingrained!  Learn how to make a straight cut and cross cut, as well as basic joinery techniques.  Always buy a little extra lumber and material than you think you’ll need, allowing room for mistakes (we’re only human!) and have a little extra left for repairs. Learn the difference between softwoods and hardwoods, as well as open grain and closed-grain wood, and the proper application for each of these types of materials. Consider taking a basic woodworking class to improve your skills.  In a culture obsessed with “replace and buy new”, understanding how to do basic carpentry repairs can save you money!  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.  There are even furniture and woodworking classes you can take to learn about specific item construction!

Familiarize yourself in basic drywall patching and repair.  Sometimes, life happens!  Learn how to fix the dings, dents, scratches, and holes in your wall with ease.  Make sure to stock your homeowner repair cabinet with additional supplies such as several different grits of sandpaper, fast-curing spackle and drywall compound, several sized putty knives, drywall joint tape, and self-adhesive fiberglass tape.  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 its 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.

Learn how to remove a small clog in drains and pipes and do basic plumbing maintenance.  Clogged sinks and shower drains are a common household malady.  You can avoid a costly charge of calling the plumber by understanding a few key household tools.  Your homeowner toolkit should include a plumbing auger or drain snake, a toilet auger, a cup plunger, a flange plunger or beehive plunger, accordion plunger, and eco-safe chemical drain clearing liquids.  It’s also recommended you use a drain-catch or drain plug to prevent hair, debris, and pet fur from clogging sinks and tub drains.  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!

Learn how to properly hang and install curtain rods, towel racks, picture frames, decor, and floating shelves.  Using a level, stud finder, picture hooks and nails, and drywall screws with anchors, you can easily get professional looking results for your wall art. Things like clocks, paintings, family photos, canvasses, and even plant racks or small shelves will be a breeze.  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.  If the drywall anchor is not strong enough to support the weight of the fram + glass or decor item, you may risk significant damage to your drywall and home.

Know when and how to prime a wall and how to properly apply interior paint.  When you’re planning to paint your home, you’ll want to pick up a few things: a good quality drop-cloth, the best quality paint rollers you can afford, good quality paint brushes for cleaning up edges, paint roller trays, and the proper amoutn of paint per room.  The minimum amount of coverage you’ll get out of most cans of paint is an average of 400 square feet. To properly determin 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.  Next, you’ll need to decide what finish of paint will be appropriate for the room: 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.

Once you’ve secured the type of paint and correct amount of gallons, you’ll need to prepare the room for painting. You’ll want to 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 and furniture you don’t want to get messy. Ready your brushes and rollers, and make sure to have some plastic wrap and 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 eding. Let each coat dry to the touch over the course of a few hours, or follow the dry time directions on the paint can for best practice.

Once you’re able to conquer these basic home maintenance skills and repairs, you can save yourself a lot of headache and money in costly repairs.  Grant it is good to note that there will always be cases in which a professional is better suited for the job, so be mindful of your personal limitations, and rest easy knowing there’s no shame in acknowledging when a project is in need of an experienced pro to complete the job!

One of the things we don’t recommend for the average homeowner to DIY repairs on are railings and stairs.  With more than 20 years of industry experience, we’ve seen quite a lot of unique repair attempts and owner-built contraptions that certainly aren’t to code.  If your home or business are in need of updated indoor handrails or repairs to your stair treads, you can count on the professionals here at Pinto Carpentry to get the job done!  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 knowledgable staff will be able to guide you to quality, affordable solutions that meet your project needs and budget.  We can’t wait to work with you!