You can save money on home repairs by learning how to do them yourself. There are so many ways to save money on home repairs. You’ll be surprised at how much you can learn about repairing your home without spending any money.
If you’re not sure where to start, this article will show you all of the most common problems and what they entail. It’s like getting an expert opinion for free.
1. Check for energy efficiency issues around the home
If you haven’t had your insulation and windows checked, for example, this is a great way to save on home repairs. Start by getting some weather stripping and some caulk. The caulking around windows and doors is often the first place that cool air escapes from your home (thereby wasting energy). Also, add weather stripping on outside doors that lead into the house. For windows, use weather stripping on all of the seams visible from the outside.
2. Replace any old windows you have with newer ones
Windows are a major source of energy loss, so it’s vital to upgrade them if you can. In addition to being more energy-efficient, newer windows will also help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
3. Pay attention to your furnace filters
Check and change them regularly, or have them cleaned by a professional if need be. Not only are dirty furnace filters an eyesore, but they can also cause your furnace to work harder than it should have. If upgrading your furnace is too expensive for you right now, at least pay attention to the condition of its filters.
4. Call a plumber to repair any running toilets or clogged pipes
If you notice that your toilet is running, fix it as soon as possible before the problem gets worse. If a small amount of water trickles out every few minutes, there’s a good chance you have a leaky flapper inside the tank. Replacing this will usually cost less than $20 and take less than 30 minutes to do.
5. Fix leaky faucets or cracked water lines as soon as you notice them
Doing so can prevent them from becoming bigger problems down the line. Also, don’t wait to replace any worn-out gaskets. This might run the cost up a bit at first, but it will help keep your water bills low and prevent future leaks.
6. Get rid of your unused stuff
Eliminating unused items at home can stop you from paying for storage space that isn’t being used. Additionally, you can store things in boxes. These can be kept in the attic, the basement, or even in a crawl space.
7. Put off that home renovation for now
Renovations cost a ton of money, and there will be no huge difference in your house value if you do them soon. And, what’s worse, paying to renovate means you won’t have very much cash left over. Wait until you have a little more money saved up, and then do the renovation all at once. This will save you time and money in the long run.
8. Get rid of any clutter so that it doesn’t become an annoyance or a hazard
Not only will this save you space, but it will also make your home look and feel a lot cleaner. Clutter can also affect a person’s mental state, so eliminating it can end up improving one’s mood.
9. Keep an eye on your home’s humidity levels
If the humidity in your home is too high, it can cause wood floors to buckle and walls to warp. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can buy one for less than $50. Check your dryer vents, too. These tend to get blocked by lint, which leads to humidity problems. Hire dryer vent cleaning services if needed, especially when the blockage is severe. The cost will be worth it in the long run.
10. Make sure the gutters on your house are cleaned regularly
If the gutters on your house are clogged, the water will overflow and seep into the foundation of your home, which can cause a lot of damage over time. A professional gutter cleaning service can clean them for you for around $100. If you’re feeling DIY-ish, you can also try cleaning them yourself (make sure you’re using the right tools).
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on home repairs. You can fix some common issues with little or no cost and save time in the long run by following these easy tips. As you go through them, think about how they will affect your life and what sort of impact each one may have on your wallet. Then make sure that when something is broken, you get it fixed as soon as possible before it turns into another expensive problem down the road.
