Homes are peculiar places. When things go wrong with them, they are either very simple or incredibly complex. Knowing the difference is important. There are some home repairs that you should feel confident you can do with ease. But others are a little trickier. Not to worry though because we are going to walk you through both kinds. That way when something does go wrong with your house you will know whether to get the tool kit or call in a professional.
You Should Be Able To…
Fix a leaky tap. Fixing a tap is simple. It is usually to do with a build up of water underneath. Be sure to turn the water valve off first. Then fetch your tool kit. Have a look at the pipe underneath the tap. There should be a u-shape with two large bolts at either side. Get a bucket and put it underneath the U. Then unscrew it carefully. Chances are the washer inside needs replacing. But you may need to replace the whole section of this pipe. Either way you should have no problem finding a replacement.
You Should Not Attempt to…
Alter your plumbing system alone. This can lead to serious issues. What do we mean by alter your plumbing system? This usually means that you are building an extension and trying to add a system on to that new area of the house. The reason we suggest you do not attempt this one is that it will probably involve welding and a blow torch. You can see why we would be a bit nervous about doing this ourselves. But there is another reason. If it goes wrong, it will cost an absolute fortune and could flood your home.
You Should Be Able To…
Unstick a window. We mean unsticking it without breaking it. Simply get a block of wood and wrap a cloth around it. Put it against the window frame and lightly tap it with a hammer. Do this at both sides and you will have carefully broken the seal.
Do Not Try To…
Fix your air conditioning system alone. Air conditioning repair usually means emptying a buildup of gas. These gasses can be harmful and are not something that you want to release into your home. Protect your family and hire a professional instead.
You Should Know How To…
Change a lightbulb. You would be right to think this is silly, but you should pay attention. If you are changing a lightbulb, please remember to tell anyone in the house you are doing so. Messing with electricity while this is going on should not hurt. But it will give you a nasty shock. Wait for the bulb to cool down and then unscrew it carefully. Replace it with a new one and you are done.
Do Not Attempt…
Big electrical changes. While unsafe that is not the main raise you should be aware of electricity. Extending an electricity line usually means you need the appropriate permits. If you do not have these and make changes you can make your house unsellable. However, we should also mention that making a mistake with an electricity can start fires.
Heed this advice and you can feel reassured that any home repairs you do will be safe.
