The Top 4 Home Repair Tricks To Add To Your Repair Repertoire

Taking a look at some great renovation ideas and home repair tricks that you may not have known. Seven amazing tips every home owner should know.

How much of your budget do you set aside for home repairs?

One recommendation is to follow the 1% rule. This means taking 1% of the purchase price of your home and using that as your yearly home repairs budget. So if you paid around $300,000 for your home, your annual budget for home repairs should be $3,000 or $250 per month.

The good news is it’s not a sure thing you’ll spend that $250 every month, especially if you master some home repair tricks. Don’t worry if you think you’re not handy with tools. These hacks are easy enough that just about anyone can do them.

1. Fixing a Clogged Showerhead

You don’t need to buy a new showerhead when your old one gets clogged. The trick is to give it a vinegar bath for at least 30 minutes, and it’ll be as good as new.

This will remove the mineral deposits and other grime from your showerhead. If it’s extra grimy though, try to soak it overnight.

2. Using Clear Nail Polish for Small Tears in a Screen

Clear nail polish doesn’t only stop a run in your tights. You can also use it to hide a chipped tile in your bathroom or kitchen, tighten loose screws, and fix a window screen.

That’s right! If you cover small holes in your window screen with a few layers of clear nail polish, those holes will stop getting bigger. Plus, you don’t have to worry about small insects coming through.

3. Removing Oil Stains from Carpet and Upholstery

If you read any home repair guide about stained carpets and upholstery, you’ll notice that the first advice is to avoid rubbing. This is because when you rub the oily surface, it will push the oil deeper into the fabric and make the stain bigger.

What you want to do is use cornstarch or talcum powder and sprinkle it on the stain. Let it sit for fifteen minutes or so, then use a dry cleaning solvent. For upholstery, you can use the same cleaning techniques.

4. Wiping Off Crayon Scribbles on Walls

This is one of those repair tricks that doesn’t require home construction supplies. You only need WD-40 and a piece of clean cloth.

Now, this hack works on crayon and marker scribbles. But you’ll need a different technique for latex and acrylic paint.

Some Things to Note Before Trying Home Repair Tricks

The hacks listed here are easy enough that anyone can do them. For other home repairs though, make sure you’re not taking on more than you can handle.

For example, anything to do with plumbing or electrical stuff are better off left to professionals. Think twice before attempting certain home renovation projects. Doing these improperly could end up costing you more or even double than your allotted home repairs budget.

And if that’s not enough to convince you to be more prudent when it comes to home repairs, think about what you went through when buying your home. You may have waited a long time just to buy your dream home and may have even gotten help from these brokers just to secure your home loan.

Don’t waste your efforts by being stubborn about doing your own home repairs. Be honest about your skills and work with a contractor when necessary.

Need More Tips on Home Repairs and Maintenance?

Now that you’ve learned about some easy home repair tricks, why not take this time to improve your home improvement smarts?