No one wants to come home to a leaky faucet or a faulty air-conditioning unit. But before you reach for your handset and dial your go-to plumber’s phone number, it helps to check if you can resolve the problem using the tools you have at home. Because the truth is, most deceptively complex home repair issues are easy to solve. Here are some quick solutions that homeowners need to remember:
Screeching Door Hinges
The screeching noise of loose cabinet doors can quickly drive anyone mad, especially those who long for a night of peaceful, uninterrupted sleep. It could be that the structure is tight or loose because of poor installation, or the hinges got mucked up with so much dirt that they are now difficult to open. Either way, it’s pretty easy to fix.
Possible Quick Fixes: First, try lubricating the door hinges with motor oil or WD-40. If this doesn’t stop the door from making screeching noises, remove the hinges and then coat the hinge pins in a lubricant. You can also use melted paraffin wax, petroleum jelly, white grease, or olive oil if you don’t have WD-40 at home.
Tip: This quick-fix hack can also be applied to stuck windows. If you’re dealing with more complex issues, like misted double-glazed windows, it’s best to leave the task to window repair professionals in Seven Oaks for your safety.
Squeaky Floorboards
Floorboards make a squeaky sound when they chafe against the nails or rub against the underlying plywood subfloor. Luckily, stopping the irritating sound is pretty straightforward.
Possible Quick Fixes: The easiest hack is to sweep a thin layer of generic baby powder across the floorboards. If this doesn’t silence the villain, it’s time to experiment with other tools. First, go to the basement and have someone walk across the floor to pinpoint the exact location of the squeak. Once you find the spot, insert wood shims into the gaps. You can also install wood blocks to noisy joists to stop the squeaking.
Tip: This quick-fix hack can also be applied to squeaky stairs.
Clogged Drain
Every homeowner has probably dealt with a clogged or slow-draining sink. While the thought of fishing nasty stuff out of the drain is disgusting, repairing this issue by yourself will save you lots of time and money.
Possible Quick Fixes: There’s an all-natural and environment-friendly solution to this common household woe, and the tools you need can be found in your pantry. All you need are equal parts of baking soda and white vinegar and patience. Pour the mixture into the drain, and the fizz will remove the gunk and grime that are causing the clog. Let it sit overnight for full effect and then flush with hot water. If this hack did not work, call your plumber for help.
Although it’s tempting to call in reinforcement whenever something goes wrong in your house, it’s not always necessary. With a simple Google consultation and a few supplies you can buy from a hardware store nearby, you can fix a good deal of faulty things in your home. Of course, where your safety is concerned, don’t hesitate to call a professional. Pay the fees or pay the price—your choice.
