by Vickie Gross

Created on: November 25, 2009   Last Updated: November 26, 2009

When it comes to home repair, the good news is in the word "repair". Thankfully, most home repairs are not complex and can be easily accomplished by the do-it-yourself homeowner.

For the do-it-yourself individual, there is one catchy little phrase to keep in mind when it comes to twisting knobs, nuts, bolts, and screws: "Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey."

Repair A Leaking Faucet:

- The No Cost Repair: Many home faucets have plastic or metal grip handles. A removable cover is located on the top center of the handle. There should be a very tiny gap located along the outer lip of the lid in order to insert the tip-point of a Phillip screwdriver to pry, and lift, this lid off. Lightly tighten the one and only screw that is under this lid. In most cases, the leak should now be fixed.

- The Small Cost Repair: If the screw tightened but the faucet is still leaking, do you have two separate faucets handles? If so, check and tighten the second faucet handle. If the leak is still not fixed, note whether or not if the screw is rusted and/or will not tighten.

In either case, locate and turn off the two shut off valves under the sink. Purchase a new handle faucet(s) set and follow the simple package directions for replacing your old one(s). Turn the water valves back on and check your work before placing the top lid cover(s) back onto the handle(s).

- The Call A Plumber Repair: If the faucet still leaks after you have turned off the water valves, then most likely the water pressure coming into your home has, over time, caused a forced stripping or corrosion of the pipes and fittings. Make sure the plumber performs a complete check on all your water pipes and valves if time, pressure, and corrosion are indeed the culprits.

Repair Sagging and Sticking, or Squeaky, Doors:

- Squeaky doors are an extremely easy repair. Simply pick up a tube of graphite and squirt the black powder on to the door hinges. Open and shut the door to work the graphite in between the hinges until the squeaking stops. This includes cabinet door hinges as well.

- Sagging and sticking doors are caused by the loosening of screws that attach the hinges onto the door and doorframe. When a door first begins to sag, there will be an issue with the doorknob not sliding properly into its lock slot in the doorframe. The doorknob and lock slot is not the actual issue to be worked over, but alas, how many of us have done just that?

To fix the door and the real repair issue, check to make sure that all the screws are

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next Page >>