Page 25 - Real Estate Now Sept-Oct 2021

Easy Must-Know DIY Home Repairs types. If you’re choosing to take the windows out on your own, be sure to monitor window openings during this task,
especially if you have young children in the house. This is more of an advanced fix, so we’d recommend leaving this to
a professional or someone with more experience. Replacing windows is not quite a beginner’s activity.
Gord Brown courtesy REALTOR.ca
hether it’s a hole from mounting hardware, or discovering a torn screen, minor damage and everyday wear- Fix a leaky showerhead
and-tear in our homes is a fact of life. Despite the rising popularity of DIY, not everyone feels comfortable If your showerhead leaks where it attaches to the fixture, it’s
Wmaking their own repairs, opting to employ professionals or family and friends, instead. Before starting time to refresh the teflon plumber’s tape—at a cost of a few
your online search for a “local handyperson,” let’s look at eight easy repairs you can do around your home. dollars. Remove the shower head, clean off any excess grime

Repair or replace window screens and tape using steel wool, then apply a few layers (three to five
full wraps) of teflon tape in a clockwise direction (this is key so
Small holes in a screen can be corrected in moments using a screen the tape won’t bunch up when you screw the showerhead back
patch kit, while larger tears require a screen replacement kit. Nylon on). Then screw on your showerhead until it is hand-tight—
screen replacement kits are the easiest to install and contain a roll of don’t use tools to tighten as over-tightening can damage the
nylon screen, spline (the vinyl cord which secures the screen inside the shower attachment, causing further leaking.
frame), and a spline roller (used to push the spline and screen into place).
Refresh bathroom caulking
Click to watch a video by Ace Hardware as they walk you through both a
screen patch and replacement. Deteriorating or peeling caulking in your bathroom should be replaced promptly to
avoid moisture incursion and mould. A utility knife can be used to peel and clean off
Fix squeaky hinges any old caulking, then apply silicone bathroom caulking using a caulking gun.
A few drops—or sprays—of lubricating oil makes a quick fix for noisy door hinges. But, if that doesn’t NOTE: Caulking requires 24 hours to fully cure, so plan accordingly before resuming
do the trick, place a shim or wedge under the door for stability, and remove the hinge pins. Wipe each use of the respective sink, bathtub, or toilet.
pin with steel wool, then replace and apply oil. Your door should operate smoothly (and silently) again.
Silence a squeaky floor
Replace door knobs and locks There are a few ways to correct creaky floors, which occur when the subfloor separates from the floor joists and rubs

Damaged or aging door knobs can be replaced with a new one using a screwdriver or electric driver against the nails.
in about five minutes. While new knobs come with detailed installation instructions, click to watch the
video by Pretty Handy Girl and see just how quick and easy this job is. For wood floors, locate the joist where it squeaks
(using a stud-finder), and drive two finishing
Patch drywall holes nails at opposing 45 degree angles into the joist
through the subfloor, ensuring they are flush. If
Small holes (¼ inch or less) in drywall (also called gypsum board) from old
hooks, or small dents from furniture on moving day can quickly be corrected you can access the joists from underneath (from
using a putty knife and spackle. Fill the hole using the putty knife and spackle, your basement for example), affixing a shim
then allow it to dry completely. Sand it down lightly and repaint the area (if between the subfloor and joist with carpenter’s
necessary). glue will correct this.
For carpet, cut a small hole in the carpet mesh
A drywall patch kit is best to handle larger holes up to 4 inches (10 cm) and
typically cost less than $15. Larger holes require a sturdier material to actually using a utility knife, then drive a flooring screw
bridge the gap and hold the repair for a long period of time. Follow the into the subfloor and joist beneath. DIY Network
instructions included with the kit for the best results. provides a visual step-by-step guide to making
these quick flooring fixes.
Replace weather stripping
The weather stripping around doors and windows deteriorates over time, so it’s important to replace them before When to call a professional
they affect heating and cooling costs. You’ll generally need a flathead screwdriver and a utility knife or scissors, along Of course, when it’s a matter of scope or safety, there are times when the best thing to do is call a professional. Shoddy
with the replacement stripping. electrical wiring, mould incursion, basement foundation cracks, and DIY renovation foul-ups are just some of the
many scenarios that are best managed by the pros.
Click to watch a video from House Improvements and see how you can replace your door’s weather stripping with
ease. Whether it’s your first home, an older model, or your first downsize from an empty nest, tackling your own home
improvement tasks—even the simplest of repairs—can open the door to a whole new world of skills—and
Windows require a little more work as they need to be removed altogether and may have one of a variety of stripping
confidence—you never thought you had. g

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