Easy Home Repair Tips
There are some things a homeowner just must be
able to do for themselves. So here are 5 skills everyone should know how to do. Most can be done with simple hand tools. You probably already
own them or can pick them up for under $10. And the only power tool recommended
is a variable-speed drill.
Replacing a Door Lock - If you have purchased a formerly owned home, you should replace all of the exterior door locks. If the door handle or lock appears loose, even if you bought the lock yourself, it's time
to replace it. And while you're at it, throw away all those old keys floating around that no one knows anything about. When you get your new keys, label the spare set and keep in an envelope labeled appropriately. From the inside of the door, remove the
two long bolts holding the front and back of the lock together. Then remove the front and the back of the lock itself. On the edge of the door, remove the screws holding the latch in its place and pull the latch out. To replace the lock, you just reverse
the order of how you removed the old lock. Other benefits to understanding this procedure are: you'll know how to tighten and lubricate the lock later when it needs one or the other servicing.
Before you buy the new lock, make sure it is the same measurements as the old one (or at least one that is adjustable). Once you have the lock purchased and working properly, visit a key making place and have extra sets made. Most hardware stores have
key making abilities.
Changing Furnace and Air Condition Filters - Know where the filters are located. Keep a note handy as to the sizes you need and keep an extra filter on hand at all times.
Ask your local gas company to send someone out to show you how to change the
filters and how to re-ignite your furnace pilot light.
During a cooling season, learn how to
clear the pipe that carries condensation from the air handler. Pipes can get clogged with mold and algae. This can cause the water to back up and drip from your ceiling. You should have two drains if your air handler is in the attic or a utility room.
One should come from the unit itself and one from the safety pan under the unit.
Know Where the Main Water Cutoff is Located - You don't want to have to hunt for the water cutoff valve after a pipe bursts. Know where it is located in advance - probably in a utility room, a closet, at the
water tank or near the meter. Also know where the cutoffs are for your dishwasher, ice-maker, washing machine and so forth. Learn how to turn off the gas in an emergency. A gas valve (whether it is indoors or at the meter) is open when it is parallel
to the line and closed when it is perpendicular to the line.
Know How to Find Studs in Your Walls - Knowing where your studs are located is important when: you're installing cabinets; installing molding; hanging a very heavy object. Most of the time you can use the
"tap-tap-tap" method. When tapping on a stud, you'll hear a solid "thunk". When tapping between studs, you'll hear a "hollow" sound. The centers of studs are 16" apart. Find the first one and the rest are easy. You can also look for finishing nails
near the top edge of the baseboard. Those nails will be in the studs. Or you can hold a flashlight against the wall, shining the light parallel to the wall. Turn the flashlight slowly to sweep the wall with the light. You should be able to spot the
patches over drywall nail heads or screw heads that aren't visible in any other method.
Hanging Items Between Studs - Wall anchors are recommended when hanging anything between the studs, such as towel bars, drapery rods, light weight pictures and so forth. Be sure to choose anchors that match
the weight of the item being hung. Make small holes in the wall with an awl or sharp nail, but use a drill for larger holes. Anchors can include: plastic expansion anchors, threaded drywall anchors, winged plastic anchors, molly bolts and toggle bolts.
Anchors can leave significant holes in the drywall when you want to remove them. It is often better to just remove the bolt or screw. Then tap the anchor lightly with a hammer until it's below the surface of the drywall. Cover the hole with spackle and
sand it to blend and disappear.
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 Start Your Own Home Staging Business as a Hedge Against a Recession
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Barbara Jennings is author of 10 decorating books: Decor Secrets Revealed, Rearrange It, Home Staging for Profit, Home Staging for Yourself,
Arrange Your Stuff, Advanced Redesign, Pro Art Consulting, Where There's a Wall - There's a Way, The Art of Hanging Art, Great Parties! Great Homes!
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