Maintaining your home can be a daunting task for anyone. It takes a lot of time and effort. But, even if your aren't the handiest of homeowners, you still can do some big fixes around your home!
Clean and Seal Tile Grout
- Grout is famous for holding dirt even if you clean your floors all the time! To really get your grout clean, use a stiff brush and grout cleaner from a flooring store. Once the grout is clean, buy a sealer for it and apply with a brush. Make sure to wipe any drips from the surface of the tile before they dry.
Hang Pictures Straight and Securely
- Crooked pictures can be very unsightly. Go to the hardware store and invest in a stud finder. This will help you find a wood stud in your wall, which is where the wall is thicker. Where you find wall stud is where you want to hang the picture. If what you are hanging requires more than one nail, then find two studs that are parallel to each other. Mark the spots where you want to hang your picture and then make sure your markings are even with a level. After, hammer in your nails and hang the picture!
Seal Granite Counter Tops
- Every year or so, your granite counter tops should be resealed and you can be the one to do it! You can buy sealer than comes premixed in bottles at your local hardware store. To begin, make sure the granite is clean. Then, soak a sponge in the sealer and flood your counter top surface with it. Don't allow the sealer to pool. Watch to see how long it takes for your the granite to absorb the sealer. If takes less than 5 minutes, apply more. After the sealer has sat on the granite for about 10 minutes, blot the remaining sealer and buff the stone dry with a terry cloth towel. Allow the granite to dry for about 12 hours.
Freshen Up Your Drain
- For the drain in your kitchen, pour a 1/2 cup of bleach down the drain and let it sit for a few minutes. Flush away the bleach with very hot water. For your bathroom, the smell in the drain is probably coming from your stopper. Pull the stopper out and soak in a bleach and water solution for about 30 minutes. After, rinse the stopper off and if it still looks dirty, then try scrubbing it with a toothbrush.
Fix a Leaky Washing Machine
- Check the water hoses on the back of your machine. There is probably a small crack somewhere. If so, you will need to go to the hardware store and buy a new hose. Before you take the old hose off, turn off your water. Unscrew and remove the old hose and then screw in and tighten the new hose.
Easy Refrigerator repair
- Does your refrigerator continuously run and doesn't stay at the proper temperature? Your refrigerator's coils are probably dirty. To clean, unplug your refrigerator and look for the coils, which are usually located on the back or bottom of the appliance. Loosen all of the dust and dirt with a brush and then vacuum up any remaining debris.
Toilet Lever Doesn't Work
- This is a fix that doesn't use any tools! The stopper-valve lifter (either a chain or a rod) is probably disconnected. Open your toilet tank and reconnect the rod or chain.
Squeaky Wood Floor Boards
- Walk to find which wood plank is squeaking. Sprinkle baby powder into the crack between the problem plank and the ones surrounding it. The baby powder will act as a buffer between the floor boards. Use your fingers to work the powder in. Step on the plank again to see if it still squeaks. If so, add some more powder until the squeak is gone.
Mold Spots on Wall
- Mold can be dangerous to your health, so it should be removed as soon as it is noticed. To remove the fungi, mix 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of bleach. Scrub the area with the mixture and then rinse with clean water. After the spot is dry, repaint.
Cracks in Driveway
- Sure, those cracks may look small now, but eventually they will get bigger and you'll have a major repair on your hands. Go to the hardware store and buy crack filler designed for asphalt. Spray the cracks with a the hose to clear any debris. Apply the filler and then let it dry. If you have really deep cracks, fill them first with sand and then put the asphalt filler on top of the sand.