As a homeowner, there may come a time when you need to do some repairs around the house. Rather than waiting for a repairman to come and fix whatever needs attention, you can save yourself some money by doing the repairs yourself.
Here are six tips on how to be a handy repairman on your own.
Having all the tools
The first step to being a handy repairman is making sure you have a basic toolkit that includes a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, and a utility knife. These four should cover most of what you’ll need to do around the house.
However, if you have more complex repairs to do, you may need additional tools. If you’re doing plumbing repairs, on this site, you can see the basic tools you’ll need, such as pipe cutters and pipe wrenches, as well as some safety gear. On the other hand, if you’re doing electrical repairs, you’ll need different tools, such as a voltage tester and wire strippers. In any case, before starting any repair, make sure you have the right tools for the job.
Being familiar with how your house works
Before attempting any repairs, you must understand how your house works, which means knowing where the water shutoff valve is located in case of a leak and being familiar with the electrical system, so you don’t accidentally electrocute yourself. This also means knowing which walls are load-bearing, so you don’t accidentally take one down while trying to repair.
If you’re not familiar with the inner workings of your house, it’s best to consult with a professional before attempting any repairs. They can give you a tour of the house and show you how everything works, as well as answer any questions you may have.
Following your city’s building codes
When making repairs to your home, you must follow your city’s building codes, which are in place to ensure that all homes are up to a certain standard. For example, if you’re doing electrical work, you’ll need to make sure that all the wiring is up to code, so it doesn’t pose a fire hazard. Or if you’re doing plumbing work, you’ll need to make sure that the pipes are properly installed so there aren’t any leaks.
Building codes can be complex, so if you’re unsure about anything, it’s best to consult with a professional or your city’s building department.
Getting help when needed
Some repairs are simply too complex or dangerous to do on your own, and in these cases, it’s best to get help from a professional. For example, if you need to replace a gas line or work on the electrical panel, it’s best to leave these repairs to the professionals.
Additionally, if you’re not confident in your abilities to repair, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get help. Not only will this ensure that the repair is done correctly, but it will also save you from any potential injuries.
Taking your time
When doing repairs yourself, it’s important to take your time and don’t rush the job because rushing a repair can often lead to mistakes being made which can be costly to fix. So, if you need to replace a piece of drywall, for example, take your time measuring and cutting the drywall, so it fits correctly. Or if you’re painting a room, take your time with the prep work so the paint job turns out looking professional.
On the other hand, if you’re pressed for time, it’s always best to hire a professional to repair it. This way, you can be sure that the job will be done correctly and on time.
Once the repair is complete, it’s important to clean up any tools or materials that you used, so your home is left clean and tidy. This includes sweeping up any dust, disposing of any garbage, and putting away any tools that you used.
Cleaning up after a repair may seem like an obvious step, but it’s often overlooked, which can lead to a messy home.
Keeping a repair journal
Lastly, it’s a good idea to keep a repair journal, which is simply a document where you record all the repairs that you make to your home. This can be helpful if you ever need to reference back to a previous repair, or if you sell your home and the new owners need to know what work has been done.
A repair journal is also helpful for keeping track of warranties and receipts for the materials and tools that you used for a repair. This can come in handy if you ever need to return or exchange anything.
It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any repairs that may need to be done on your home. By following the tips provided, you’ll have the knowledge and skills necessary to do most repairs yourself.
However, some repairs are best left to the professionals, so it’s important to know when to call in reinforcements.
