Five Frugal Tips for Around the Home
Some homeowners call a professional whenever a repair needs to be done in the house. This can get expensive. Do-it-yourself (DIY) repairs around the home can often save money over calling a professional when a problem occurs. Five frugal tips will help with DIY repairs around the home.
Save Scraps from Repairs
There are usually always scraps after making a repair. This could be a short length of trim, extra screws or an almost empty can of paint. These scraps and leftovers should be organized kept for later. This can save money when just a small bit of paint or a two-inch piece of baseboard is needed for a repair in the future.
Rent Equipment and Tools
Many simple DIY repairs require a special tool or piece of equipment. Buying these items is usually very expensive. A frugal alternative is to rent specialized tools and equipment as needed. Most home improvement stores now rent items to customers. This can save money over buying equipment or paying a professional.
Fix Appliances Personally
The mechanisms inside of most appliances in the kitchen are actually very simple to repair. Temperature sensors in ovens, gears in dishwashers and leaking refrigerators can all be repaired very easily usually with just normal household tools and inexpensive parts. Learning how to fix the appliances in the kitchen can save the family a significant amount of money over time. Even if you feel like you need something obscure like 5 quart KitchenAid mixer parts, you can look to the Internet and likely find what you need to keep repairs cheap and avoid replacement.
Make Repairs Fast
Most homeowners can fix small problems like a cracked bathroom tile or a loose ceiling fan. These small repairs should be made fast in order to prevent problems. A cracked tile could let water into the walls where it rots floors and studs. A loose ceiling fan could fall and tear out the wiring. Fixing problems fast will help to keep home repair costs very low.
Perform Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance can eliminate costly repairs for things like central air conditioners, refrigerators and leaking pipes. Cleaning out ducts and air conditioners can stop dust from accumulating on the coils and compressor. Wrapping pipes and keeping them clean can stop corrosion. Defrosting a refrigerator and keeping the coolant charged can stop potential damage. Preventative maintenance should be performed regularly throughout the home.
It is important to know when a DIY repair is not appropriate. There are complex parts of a home like the water mains or foundation that really require the attention of professionals if serious problems arise. Knowing when to call a professional for help can save money that might have been wasted on an ineffective home repair.
Save Scraps from Repairs
There are usually always scraps after making a repair. This could be a short length of trim, extra screws or an almost empty can of paint. These scraps and leftovers should be organized kept for later. This can save money when just a small bit of paint or a two-inch piece of baseboard is needed for a repair in the future.
Rent Equipment and Tools
Many simple DIY repairs require a special tool or piece of equipment. Buying these items is usually very expensive. A frugal alternative is to rent specialized tools and equipment as needed. Most home improvement stores now rent items to customers. This can save money over buying equipment or paying a professional.
Fix Appliances Personally
The mechanisms inside of most appliances in the kitchen are actually very simple to repair. Temperature sensors in ovens, gears in dishwashers and leaking refrigerators can all be repaired very easily usually with just normal household tools and inexpensive parts. Learning how to fix the appliances in the kitchen can save the family a significant amount of money over time. Even if you feel like you need something obscure like 5 quart KitchenAid mixer parts, you can look to the Internet and likely find what you need to keep repairs cheap and avoid replacement.
Make Repairs Fast
Most homeowners can fix small problems like a cracked bathroom tile or a loose ceiling fan. These small repairs should be made fast in order to prevent problems. A cracked tile could let water into the walls where it rots floors and studs. A loose ceiling fan could fall and tear out the wiring. Fixing problems fast will help to keep home repair costs very low.
Perform Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance can eliminate costly repairs for things like central air conditioners, refrigerators and leaking pipes. Cleaning out ducts and air conditioners can stop dust from accumulating on the coils and compressor. Wrapping pipes and keeping them clean can stop corrosion. Defrosting a refrigerator and keeping the coolant charged can stop potential damage. Preventative maintenance should be performed regularly throughout the home.
It is important to know when a DIY repair is not appropriate. There are complex parts of a home like the water mains or foundation that really require the attention of professionals if serious problems arise. Knowing when to call a professional for help can save money that might have been wasted on an ineffective home repair.
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