When something in the house gets broken or stops working, the first reaction is to call a professional to fix it. However, this can take time and cost money. Fortunately, there are select repairs around the house that residents can do themselves and save pounds.
Leaky faucets
If you’re tempted to leave this job until the last minute, just remind yourself that those wasted drops of water add up to your bill, and it is far too easy to fix this to let it get that far.
Once you’ve turned off the water supply, the first thing to do is use a flathead screwdriver to remove any decorative parts of the tap. Underneath each knob, there is a screw that secures the handle to the stem. Unscrew, then gently remove the handle with your flat-head. Loosen it using WD40 or other penetrating oil, and then you will be able to take the faucet handle off the stem. Use your wrench to loosen the packing nut. From there you should notice the stem. Remove that as well. Depending on the faucet, some stems pop right off, while others twist off from the valve. Check the removed parts for any damage. If everything is intact at this point, inspect the O-ring and washer inside the valve seat—they could be the reason for your leak. Remove the washer and put a replacement inside the seat.
If the problem persists, even after you’ve called in an expert, maybe it’s a sign that your sink needs upgrading. You can find essential items for the kitchen at Tap Warehouse.
Blocked drains
The first solution to a blocked drain is usually a plunger. Make sure there’s enough water in the sink to submerge the head of the plunger. Give between eight and ten good downward thrusts, and this should be enough to sort out minor repairs. If not, it’s time to get out the auger snake. Run the auger into the toilet until it finds the clog, then start turning the crank. With a good grip, you should be able to pull the clog right out. The same method can be used to repair blocked toilets.
If this still doesn’t work, turn of the water supply and manually remove the pipe under the sink. If the clog is there, it will have settled in the curved area. Remove the clog, replace the pipe securely, then turn the water back on.
Light Switches
To fix a light switch, first, make sure the circuit breaker is turned off. Using a flathead screwdriver, remove the faceplate covering the switch, then use a voltage tester to make doubly sure the circuit is not active.
Next, use a phillips head screwdriver to pull the switch off the wall. You will see two wires still attached to the switch. Disconnect the wires, one at a time, and attach them to the corresponding location on the new switch. Now, simply put everything back together.
It should go without saying that more complicated repairs should be left to professionals.