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At one time or another, we’ve all found ourselves stuck at home with unexpected free time on our hands. Whether you’re trapped by extreme weather, sick kids, self quarantine, or for any other reason, downtime can quickly become boring. Fight back by taking the opportunity to do some work around the house.
Simple updates and maintenance can go a long way toward making your home more comfortable and beautiful. Try these do-it-yourself projects for when you are stuck at home.
DIY Home Updates
Though a full-scale remodeling project is always a great way to add value to your home, there are a lot of little improvements you can make in your spare time. Match the paint on your walls with touch-up paint and go over scuffed, stained, or damaged areas. Be aware that if you use a gloss finish over your matte walls, every spot you touch up will shine when the light hits it.
Another easy, but effective project can be updating your doorknobs and cabinet pulls. This update is fun and anyone can do it, even your kids. Doorknobs can start to look dull and grimy after extended use and replacing them can be a great way to freshen up the look of your whole house.
Perform Routine Maintenance
Let’s face it, most of us don’t get around to many of the maintenance tasks that we should be doing on a regular basis. Unexpected downtime can be a great opportunity to catch up. The first thing you should do is replace your furnace filter. This is a task that you should do about once every three months, but if it’s been a while since you’ve done it, now is the perfect time.
Other tasks you can mark off your to-do list are cleaning out your dryer ducts to increase dryer efficiency and draining your water heater to prevent the potentially damaging buildup of sediment. You can find in-depth tutorials for these tasks with a simple search of the internet.
Repair Your Drywall
Dents and holes in your drywall can be an unfortunate, but unsurprising part of wear and tear on your home. Regardless of the cause of the damage, it is something you can usually repair yourself with just a few simple items and tools.
If the hole is small, you can purchase a drywall patch to quickly fix the damage. Apply the patch and use drywall putty and a small putty knife to cover the hole. When the putty is dry, you can paint the area with your wall color to hide the repair.
For larger holes, the process can be more involved. Attach a piece of plywood behind the hole with screws, then use it to anchor a piece of replacement drywall inside the hole. Use drywall putty and your putty knife to blend the edges and paint over the patch to help the area blend in seamlessly with the rest of the wall.
Patch Leaky Pipes
Leaking pipes are often little more than a minor inconvenience at first, but over time they can cause serious water damage. If your issue is with a PVC pipe, you can use a new coupling placed over the top of the leaking coupling. Make sure you use a proper PVC adhesive and completely drain the pipe before starting your work.
Issues with other pipes in your home may require a professional’s touch, so don’t be afraid to reach out to a qualified plumber in your area for some extra help.
You can also easily replace faucets that may be old or leaking. Once again, be sure you turn your water off before unscrewing the faucet and use plumber’s tape on the connections to ensure a tight seal. A new faucet can be a great way to refresh the look of a kitchen or bathroom sink, and installing a water-efficient model can help cut down on wasted water within your home.
Fix Cracked or Damaged Exterior Siding
Damage to the exterior of your home is an eyesore and creates the potential for issues such as pests or water damage. If you have fiber cement or vinyl siding, you can often repair small areas of damage with a matching piece of siding by simply attaching it over the damaged portion.
While quick and easy, this is only a temporary solution. You will eventually need to replace the damaged panel entirely. Luckily this is also generally an easy task which requires removing the affected panel and replacing it with a new panel to match the others, but a professional can help you get a perfectly matched repair.
Take the Opportunity to Deep Clean
Power spray your pavement, wash your windows, clean your carpets, or do any number of tasks you don’t normally have time to fit into your schedule. Having a regularly cleaned house can improve your overall mood and help in maintaining your home’s value. It will also help identify problems that may require further attention, often being the difference between a quick fix and a major repair.
Find a Local Contractor to Help
Home maintenance and repairs are a great way to fill in extra gaps in your time. These do-it-yourself projects are a great place to get started and if you do find yourself needing a professional contractor later on, we at Best Pick Reports are happy to help. Look into all the different ways to start improving your home today.