Did you recently just become a homeowner?
Being a homeowner is a big responsibility. In addition to figuring out your finances, you also need to need to learn certain handyman skills.
By learning the right handyman skills, you’ll be able to fix things quickly and save money on home improvement costs.
What handyman skills do you need to know?
Check out this guide to discover the top handyman skills you should have as a homeowner.
1. Fixing a Leaky Faucet
One of the most important things to learn as a homeowner is how to fix a leaky faucet.
While the details of fixing your faucet will depend on the model, the basics are more or less the same:
The solution is almost always that you need to replace a worn-down or faulty O-ring, stem, or washer. Here’s what you need to do:
- Turn off your water both from the handles and from the mainline
- Use a flat-head screwdriver to gently remove the knob handles
- Use a wrench to loosen the packing nut
- Remove the stem and check for damage, and then do the same with the O-ring and washer
- Replace any damaged parts and then reassemble the sink
If this still doesn’t solve the problem, then you may need to call a plumber. You can also check out this guide to learn the top plumbing tips for homeowners to make sure your sink stays in good shape.
2. Stopping a Running Toilet
If there’s one home appliance that’s likely to break down, it’s your toilet. We use your toilets quite frequently, and because of this, it’s important to know some basic bathroom maintenance.
Here’s what you should do if your toilet won’t stop running:
- Turn the water off-typically, the faucet is located behind the toilet itself, but sometimes it’s located along the pipes
- Lift up the water tank top to see if the problem is being caused by the flapper or the flush valve
- If it is, all you need to do is adjust the arm or the float to ensure the tank gets plugged properly
- If the damage is extensive, you may need to replace the tank’s interior parts
Luckily, most spare parts only cost between $10 to $20 so it’s not an expensive fix.
3. Unclog a Drain
Clogged drains are another common problem that homeowners run into. Here are your options for fixing a clogged drain:
- Try clearing the drain with a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water
- If this doesn’t work, fill the sink half full with water then plunge it as you would a toilet (but with a different plunger than the one you use on your toilet!)
- If it’s still trapped after this, place a bucket under your pipes to check the trap
- Unscrew the trap using your hands or a pipe wrench
- Empty the water and clear out any clogs
- Return the trap to its place then reattach the pipes
You should then test by running some water to see if the drain is cleared. If there’s still a clog, then you’ll need to snake the drain using a drain auger.
Are You Ready to Put Your Handyman Skills to the Test?
Now that you’ve read this guide, it’s time to put your handyman skills to the test. Learning these skills will save you a lot of time and money, so it’s well worth it!
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more tips and tricks for homeowners.
