6 LOW-COST DIY SOLUTIONS FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT

Not All Homeowners Are DIY Experts! Are you?

Homeowners are, no doubt, all too aware that home repairs are something they need to keep on top of! Dripping taps, loose door handles, and blocked sinks are just some of the ongoing maintenance jobs that you need to deal with to keep your home in fully operational condition.

While some homeowners have plenty of DIY expertise, others struggle to find their way around a toolbox; however, hiring a tradesperson can be costly.

With this in mind, our team at Scoffield Stone has come up with six of our favourite low-cost DIY fixes that you can try at home to save money while keeping your house in good working order.

1. How To Bleed A Radiator

If your radiators aren’t heating up properly, it can be tempting to call an engineer out. However, there’s a quick DIY fix that you can try first to see if it fixes the problem. When the air gets trapped in radiators, the heating system stops working efficiently, wasting energy as your home won’t heat up effectively.

Even worse, if air remains trapped long-term, it can damage your boiler, leading to even more costly repairs. Bleeding your radiators will remove the trapped air, allowing them to warm up properly and reduce your energy bills.

Here's what to do: Find the valve on the side of the radiator at the top, and use a bleed key to turn it anti-clockwise. You’ll soon hear a hissing sound as the trapped air is released. Ensure you’ve put down some towels, as some water may leak during the process. Once bled, retighten the valve.

2. How To Replace A Tap Washer

If you have traditional pillar taps in your kitchen or bathroom, you may find that you can fix any dripping by replacing the washers. When washers wear out, they become ineffective, and water leaks out of the tap, even when turned off.

Here's what to do: Turn off the water at the mains and put a plug in the sink to prevent small components from disappearing down the plug hole! Then unscrew the taps using a wrench. Release the washers with a small screwdriver and replace them with new washers. Finally, screw the taps back into place.

3. How To Unblock A Frozen Pipe

During colder weather, your condensate pipes that connect the boiler to the outside wall can freeze, stopping your heating from working. Luckily, it isn’t too difficult to defrost this pipe yourself.

Here's what to do: Make sure your boiler is switched off, then pour some warm (not boiling) water over the pipe’s exposed end. This will cause the frozen water to melt, removing the blockage. Once you’ve done this, restart the boiler.

4. How To Fix A Leaky Showerhead

Constant dripping from your showerhead can be an irritation and a cause of high water bills. Luckily, fixing your leaky showerhead is something you can do yourself! In many cases, simply replacing the washer will resolve the issue.

Here's what to do: Loosen up the collar nut with a wrench to access the washer and swap it with a new one. It’s also worth checking whether the nozzles have become clogged with limescale build-up and debris, as cleaning may fix your leaky showerhead effortlessly.

5. How To Fix A Sticking Door

If your door is sticking, there are a few DIY fixes you can try to resolve the problem.

Here's what to do: Clean any debris (dust, fluff, grime and old paint) from around the frame and hinges, then add some oil or WD40 to lubricate them. If this doesn’t help, try tightening the hinges and lightly sanding down the door frame.

6. How To Clear A Blocked Plughole

If water isn’t draining from your sink or bath, you'll need to unblock the plughole. While this can be an unpleasant task, it isn’t difficult.

Here's what to do: Place a plunger over the plughole and push down and up sharply several times to break up and dissolve clogs, hairballs and other blockages. Once you’ve done this, pour a solution of bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar into the sink or bath, followed by a jug of boiling water. This will dissolve any grime and limescale and restore your plughole to its former shiny glory!

*These home DIY tips are for informational purposes only. If you have any doubt about your appliances' safety, call a professional, qualified tradesperson to investigate the cause.

If you’re carrying out DIY fixes on your home before listing your property for sale, get in touch with our team at Scoffield Stone. We’re local property experts and are on hand to help you find the perfect buyer, so call us now on 01283 777100 to learn more about how we can help you.