DIY Home Repairs: Safe, Simple Wins
A dripping faucet or a drafty door might seem like small annoyances, but they also represent money leaking out of your budget. Learning to handle simple home repairs can save you the cost of a professional service call, which can easily exceed $100. Costco often sells tool kits, work gloves, and supplies like caulk and tape that can help you get the job done. Always prioritize safety: wear eye protection, turn off water or power before you begin, and never attempt a repair you are not comfortable with.
Fixing a Running Toilet
A constantly running toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water a year. The most common cause is a faulty flapper—the rubber seal at the bottom of the tank. Over time, it can degrade and fail to create a tight seal. To check, turn off the water supply valve behind the toilet. Mark the water level in the tank with a pencil. Wait 20 minutes. If the water level has dropped, the flapper is leaking. This is a five-dollar part and a ten-minute fix that requires no special tools besides your hands. If this does not solve the problem, it is time to call a plumber.
Clearing a Slow P-Trap
A slow-draining bathroom sink is usually caused by a clog in the curved pipe underneath, called the P-trap. Before using harsh chemicals, try this mechanical fix. Place a bucket under the pipe. Use a pair of channel-lock pliers (often found in basic home tool kits) to loosen the two large nuts holding the curved section of pipe in place. Once loose, you can unscrew them by hand. Remove the P-trap and clean out any debris into the bucket. Reassemble the pipe, making sure not to overtighten the nuts. This simple task can save you a service call and keep harsh chemicals out of your plumbing.
Sealing a Drafty Door
Drafts around an exterior door can make your heating and cooling systems work harder, driving up your energy bills. On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick near the edges of the door. Where the smoke wavers, you have a leak. The easiest fix is self-adhesive foam weatherstripping, which you can buy in rolls. Clean the inside of the door frame thoroughly, then cut the foam to length and press it into place. For a draft under the door, a simple “door sweep” that screws into the bottom of the door can create a tight seal. When working with doors, make sure your project does not interfere with its ability to lock securely. For product safety information, you can consult resources like the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Quieting a Squeaky Hinge
A squeaky door hinge is an annoyance you do not have to live with. All you need is a lubricant like household oil or white lithium grease. Close the door and tap out the hinge pin using a hammer and a nail or a small screwdriver. Once the pin is out, wipe it clean and apply a light coat of lubricant. Tap the pin back into the hinge and open and close the door a few times to spread the lubricant. This two-minute fix can bring quiet back to your home.
