Homeowners know all too well the financial strain of unexpected repairs and lingering household problems. Instead of springing for an expensive contractor or repairperson, you can often fix issues yourself in an effortless and budget-friendly way. Continue reading to discover some simple DIY fixes for common household problems.
Toilet Won’t Stop Running
If you notice your toilet continues to run long after you’ve flushed it, the culprit is most likely a leaky rubber flapper. A rubber flapper enables the water to flow from your tank to the bowl when you flush, but when it’s broken, your water will continue to run and drive up your utility bills.
You can figure out whether this is the problem with some simple food coloring. Add a few drops to the tank and wait for 15 minutes. If you see the dye in the toilet bowl, you’ve got a leak. You can pick up a new flapper for a few bucks at any local hardware store.
Repurpose Foam Pool Noodles
You can use any pool noodles you have sitting around for a variety of fun handyperson projects around the house. For example, if you’re constantly scraping your knees while up on a ladder, you can use clamp-on noodles for each rung. Just make sure you only attach them to the steps you won’t use as a foothold, or you could slip.
In the winter, you can also use insulating foam noodles to keep your pipes from freezing. Simply run heating cables along your pipes and secure them with electrical tape every few inches. Then, using the foam insulation, wrap them and plug the cords in.
Clean Out Musty Washer Smells
The best way to prevent foul odors inside your washing machine is to move wet clothes to the dryer as soon as possible. You should also leave the door open in between loads. However, if you forget to take your damp clothing out or notice musty smells building up, you can take a few measures.
First, you can wipe down the rubber seal inside the door with a half-and-half mixture of water and vinegar. Then, you can run a cycle on the hottest setting with nothing inside the drum but a cup of baking soda and distilled white vinegar where the detergent goes. Every month, you should also clear out your drain pump filter.
With these simple DIY fixes for common household problems, you can tackle issues in a quick and convenient way. It’ll save you a lot of headaches in the future and save you plenty of time, too.
