6 Common DIY Home Repair Projects and When to Call in the Pros

Want to take on a diy home repair project but don’t have the know-how? You have information at your fingertips! You can learn how to do almost anything simply by browsing through YouTube videos that give specific instructions on any number of projects that need doing.

But is doing it yourself always the best idea?

Within reason, we think it definitely is! The next time you notice something amiss in your home, there will be no reason to get stressed about the money you’ll have to spend. Perhaps you don’t have to call the pros yet.

When it comes to home maintenance, it’s worth educating yourself. With enough knowledge—which we can provide you with—and the right tools, you can save a lot of cash. Apart from not paying others to do the work, regular DIY maintenance often prevent more serious problems from ever happening.

So let’s show you what you can do to keep your home in top condition. And we’ll also mention when it’s safer to call the experts.

6 Common DIY Home Repair Projects

1. Upgrading Windows

If you’re looking for some motivation to do some maintenance, remember that simple fixes can save you a lot of money. Fixing, cleaning and maintaining windows is an excellent example.

You’ll notice the need for this DIY tip if your rooms feel drafty while all doors and windows are closed. That means your air conditioning must work harder to maintain comfortable temperatures, so you’re using more power. So get it fixed fast!

It could be that the caulk on the windows are old. Don’t fear; there’s no need for new windows. Upgrading simply requires removing the old caulk and applying a new layer.

If you want to take this DIY process one step further, save more on utility bills by adding more insulation: cover the glass with window film designed for insulation.

2. Solving Roof Leak Problems

When it comes to your roof there’s a lot that can go wrong:

• Damaged gutters
• Cracked chimneys
• Skylights and the shingles around them can be broken
• Water damage to the structure such as trusses

These problems can lead to large expenses, and you’ll need experts such as cityseamlessroofing.com to assist. But you can prevent a considerable amount of damage by nailing loose roof components back into place, cleaning gutters, and keeping an eye on the condition of your roof with regular DIY checks. Call the pros the moment you see a leak, crack, or other problem to prevent further damage.

3. Dealing with Drains

A blocked drain sparks thoughts of drain cleaning rods and huge bills. But did you know you can hire a drain cleaning machine and do much of the work yourself? And don’t underestimate the efficiency of a plunger, or even sucking the dirt and grime out with your vacuum cleaner.

Tip: if a sewer jet is needed to unclog your plumbing, you may need to use a hydrostatic line tester to make sure the integrity of your sewer system is still intact. If this test shows, there are leaks you must fix them before damage occurs. For that task, you may need a pro’s help.

4. Can You Prevent Water damage?

Much of your expenses this year may have been to replace or repair certain items in your home after it underwent water damage. This is a common occurrence, but often totally unnecessary. Problems like leaky water lines can be noticed long before it results in a crisis.

Much of the maintenance to curb the problem you can do yourself, such as replacing the washing machine’s supply line. Or replace metal parts in that supply line as soon as they get rusty, so they don’t start loosening or leaking.

As you can see, this simply requires you to do regular checks. Why not make a to-do list, add it to your calendar to get reminders every few months? It can help you stay on top of the checks and maintenance you need to make.

Handy tip: many pipes and supply lines need replacement once every three years. Don’t risk more damage by trying to extend that timeline.

5. Appropriate Appliance Care

While we’re on the subject, the problems of leaking water or faulty lines—or faulty electric cabling—can affect many of your appliances in the home. Over time it can cause damage which means you’ll have to replace them those items.

Be a vigilant DIY home owner and regularly check whether all your appliances are still working the way they should:

• Filters should be cleaned or replaced
• All electrical supply should be tested because when something shorts it can hurt the device itself.
• Make sure there are no leakages that can cause water damage to the appliances.
• Any dust or grime must be cleared so the appliance doesn’t have to work harder to produce the same results as when it was new.
• These types of checks apply to many different appliances from air filters to coffee machines, washing machines and even TVs.

6. Looking After an Air Conditioner

This brings us to an important installation that you probably spend a lot of money on: your air conditioning system. Of course, you need to use pros if there are serious problems, but once again you may be able to prevent some of those problems with a little DIY work:

• Look at the outside of your air conditioning unit. If you see any debris sticking to it, remove it because it can block air flow and affect how well the unit works. As mentioned earlier, you don’t want appliances working harder than they should, because then they wear out faster.
• Walk to where the unit drains the moisture from the condensation line. Make sure the water doesn’t dam up there. Dig a small trench to lead the water away from the building and line the trench with gravel. This also has health benefits because you’re making sure algae doesn’t form near the unit. You don’t want spores getting sucked back into the system!

Ready to DIY?

Instead of having nightmares about home maintenance, educate yourself to carry out diy home repair projects and put yourself back in control of the situation.

With some background information you can save some money on call-out fees. Or at least you can prevent more damage by managing the situation until the expert roofers, plumbers or handyman arrives. If you have tips for other homeowners, please comment below.