8 Home Repair Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Earlier

Often, the list of things we need to do around the home seems endless. There are holes in the walls to patch, clogged toilets to fix, foundation cracks to repair, broken floor tiles to replace, nail holes to fill, squeaky doors to fix, and so on.

But if you know some simple tricks, you can easily breeze through your to-do list like a pro. Here are 8 simple home repair hacks we want you to know before you consider hiring a pro.

That said, if you’re unsure of your abilities, call in a professional. The only thing costlier than hiring a pro is bringing in a pro to sort out amateur mistakes. And remember to wear safety equipment!

Unclog Your Toilet with Hot Water and Dish Soap

The first person you probably call when you have a clogged toilet is the plumber. Well, you can take care of this mega emergency with something you keep near the kitchen sink. All you have to do is shoot some dish soap into the blocked toilet and pour a pail of hot water. Give it time, and observe this super easy combination work its magic.

Say No to Fruit Flies with Apple Cider Vinegar

Plenty has been written and said about the all-powerful apple cider vinegar. However, this is a claim we’re standing by. We all know how much of an irritant fruit flies are. You leave one peach on the counter, and all of a sudden your kitchen is filled with pesky insects. But you don’t have to use that fly swatter anymore because there’s a much simpler, quicker method.

Simply add unfiltered apple cider vinegar to some water in a bowl. Cover this mixture with clear plastic wrapping, and poke little holes in it. Those pesky flies will be all over it. They’ll get in but won’t be able to get out. Probably harsh but it’s no less than they deserve!

Fill a Hole in the Window with Nail Polish

Found a little hole in the glass window? Applying clear nail polish can help fix it. Apply one coat and give it some time to dry. Repeat this step until the glass surface is flush with layers of transparent nail polish.

You can also use clear nail polish to repair torn window screens. Since fingernail paint is often full of toxins, it’s unsurprising that it can fix a tear. You don’t want bugs getting in through the window, either. So, just slather a thick layer of transparent nail polish on the torn area and congratulate yourself. It’ll create a nice clear barrier.

Stop Rust in Your Toolbox with Chalk

You can prevent rust in your toolbox with chalk. How so? Blackboard chalk is a material that sucks moisture, trapping dampness. When you put several pieces of chalk all over your toolbox, their absorbent nature will protect objects prone to rusting. The less moisture your toolbox has, the less you have to worry about rust.

Have a moldy closet?  Fill up your little cheesecloth or muslin bag with chalk, then hang it in the closet. It’ll soak up the humidity and reeking odor.

Seal Foundation Cracks

Concrete contracts and expands naturally in cool and warm weather respectively, so it’s natural that some cracking can occur over time. If you do notice some cracks, don’t worry. Mark them and examine them closely. If they’re not expanding, you can be able to make repairs.

Clean around the cracks, moisten the crack and put in your concrete repair product. Then scrape away the excess product for a smooth finish. If you’re worried about water leaking into your home or the cracks are bigger, bring in an expert.

Fixing a Leaking Showerhead

If you have a leaking shower head, don’t panic. Sometimes hand-tightening the shower arm or head can stop the leakage, but this doesn’t always sort out the problem.

If the shower head still drips after tightening, it may have a damaged gasket, worn out threads, or it may have been fitted without tape around the threads to close the connection. Repairing a leaking shower is a very simple job that doesn’t require bringing in a plumber.

Clean Action Figures and Plastic Hair Brushes in the Dishwasher

If you’ve got children, these things are probably no strangers to your home. While it’s obvious that hairbrushes should be cleaned, you probably don’t clean them as thoroughly as you need to. And the same case applies to action figures and other plastic toys lying around the house. With all the nooks and difficult-to-reach crevices, it can be a challenge to achieve that spic-and-span glitter.

The handles and bristles of plastic brushes and combs can only work properly if you’ve pulled out all the hair in advance. And as for your beloved action figures, it’s recommended that you keep them in a mesh bag. Just make sure to keep Barbie out of it.

Restore Down Jacket Fluff with Tennis Balls

If you’re a camper, a down jacket is a must-have item, especially during cool summer nights after the sun goes down. As with any gear, there’ll be signs of wear and tear on the jacket after a while. So, maintaining your beloved down jacket is crucial.

When your down jacket needs a bit of fluffing, just chuck it into your dryer with two clean tennis balls. However, the secret here is ensuring that the dryer is set to low heat. In addition, be extra cautious if you’re using a Laundromat. After a short time bouncing around your dryer, the down jacket will be as good as a new one.

Last Word

DIY is all the rage these days. There’s a whole host of how-to videos online for just about everything. As such, there are so many home repairs many homeowners can handle by themselves. If you’re quite handy, good for you! If not, call in a professional.

It’s always nice to learn useful tricks that make your home improvement projects easier. These tips will inspire you to start carrying out all those home improvements you’ve been putting off, we promise!