Who doesn’t like saving money on home repairs? Calling professional help for maintenance or repair projects can often leave a hole in your pockets, and it might seem like a good idea to do it yourself. While DIY-ing is cost-effective, it can leave your house needing more repairs than it initially did if not carried out effectively. This guide sums up four projects you can easily DIY and four that you should never try your hand at.
DIY Projects
A successful DIY project depends equally on technique and tools. While the method can be learned over time, investing in good tools, like power saws, drills, and grinders, is crucial to ensure technical issues or safety hazards do not hinder your project. When searching for high-quality power tools for sale, you will find yourself faced with a multitude of options. Always look at customer reviews first and consult the buyer for safety and warranty-related queries.
Most importantly, buy safety equipment like gloves and goggles while you’re at it. Once the equipment is sorted, you can take on the following DIY projects.
Custom Headboard
A customized headboard can significantly enhance the aesthetic of your bedroom. Here’s all you need for this project:
- Plywood
- Power saw
- Sandpaper
- Screws
- Wood glue
- Paint or fabric
- Drill
Cut the plywood according to the width of your bed using the power saw, and smooth its edges with sandpaper. Now, paint it your chosen color or use wood glue to paste a fabric of choice over it and leave it to dry overnight. Finally, secure the headboard to the wall using screws and a drill.
Painting The Walls
Painting interior walls is one of the easiest repair projects you can handle. Here’s all you will need:
- Paint (primer and topcoat)
- Painter’s tape
- Paintbrush and paint rollers
- Paint tray
- Drop cloths
- Ladder
Use drop cloths to cover the entirety of your flooring to ensure paint splashes don’t ruin the floor, and use painter’s tape on wall edges and electrical sockets. Then, look for any holes in the wall and repair them (more on that later), and apply primer all over the walls. Pour paint into a tray and use a roller, brushing around corners and edges. Let the first coat dry for a few hours, then go in with a second coat.
Cracks, Holes, and Gaps
Holes and other kinds of minor damage to your walls ruin the appearance of your interiors. To fix cracks and gaps around doors or baseboards, this is what you need:
- Caulk gun
- Caulk
- Utility knife
- Cleaning supplies
Clean the area of any old caulk or dirt. Load the caulk into the gun and squeeze a bead-sized amount onto the crack. Then, use your finger to smooth out the caulk and wipe away any excess.
If you end up with a hole in your drywall, simply use a spackle knife to fill it in with lightweight putty. Use a scraping tool to scrape off the excess. Once the putty is dry, sand the spot down and use a primer to paint over it.
Projects Not to Do on Your Own
There is a limit to how much you can DIY for home repairs. This is because, in certain instances, a DIY project going sideways can have disastrous consequences for you and your property. The following are some home maintenance tasks that require professional assistance.
Electrical Wiring
Though electrical repairs are not pocket-friendly, they are still best left to professionals due to the complications and safety hazards involved. Inexperienced DIYs around electrical wiring can put you and your home in danger. So, call for professional assistance to install new lighting fixtures or fix an appliance.
Roofing
Why roofing projects don’t make for good DIYs is obvious: they involve working at uncomfortable heights and angles and require an expert skillset. One wrong move can lead to a hazardous fall or issues and leaks in your roof that will not be favorable for your budget. Professionals, on the other hand, know how to work safely and can spot underlying issues you won’t.
Plumbing Jobs
Fixing a clogged toilet, choked drain, or leaking taps might be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you can not resolve the issue, it is better to call a plumbing expert. Complex plumbing repairs involve central house pipes or sewer lines. Mistakes during DIY plumbing can lead to significant water damage, mold growth, or costly repairs.
Conclusion
Learning basic home repair DIY techniques is an excellent way to save money on home maintenance. However, knowing when to call for professional help is also essential. Regardless, all it takes is a little research, some practice, and good-quality power tools to fix your home yourself.
