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Home DIYs Every Homemaker Needs to Know
By
Danelle Ice - Home Ever After |
January 20th, 2009 |
Category:
DIY Projects |
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Home DIYs, also known as do-it-yourself projects, are essentials that every homemaker should know how to do. Not only does being self-sufficient give you a good feeling from knowing that you can take care of your home’s preventive maintenance as well as being able to fix problems should an emergency arise, but DIYs also have an added financial bonus. Acquiring this valuable knowledge and doing the project yourself means that you won’t have to pay expensive fees to a professional or a repairman.
So fire up your printer, because you’ll want to print out these useful home how-to guides and save them for later!
14 Home How-To DIYs That Every Homemaker Needs To Know
1. How to fix a garbage disposal. From jams caused by items falling into the garbage disposal to simple clogged pipes, this how-to will show you how to fix your own garbage disposal in no time.
2. How to eliminate rats in your home. Learn why they chose your house, how they got inside, how to catch them, how dispose of the rats after they have been caught, and how to help prevent your house from being reinfested in the future.
3. How to reset a circuit breaker. This great how-to explains how to tell if your fuse is blown, why it happened, and how to fix it.
4. How to unclog a sink. Cheap and green, this how-to uses safe household ingredients.
5. How to remove rust stains from nails. Whether indoors or outdoors, it’s easy to remove rust stains from nails with common household materials before painting over them.
6. How to unfreeze pipes. This complete set of of instructions should be printed out and hung on the wall next to pipes that are possible problem areas for easy access during an emergency.
7. How to fix a toilet. This how-to guide addresses common toilet problems such as plugged up toilets, overflowing toilets, water that keeps running, water levels too high, and even tells you how to replace a toilet seat.
8. How to change a light bulb. The owner of a home renovation company teaches you a safe and effective way to change a light bulb in this how-to video.
9. How to fix a dripping faucet.
10. How to clean a dryer vent. Being able to clean your dryer vent properly will help you to eliminate the risk of fire started from your dryer.
11. How to clean an air filter. Not only will a clean air filter improve the quality of the air in your home, but it will also help you save money on your utility bills.
12. How to clean out a fireplace. This DIY only includes directions on how to clean the fireplace, not the chimney (which is a much more involved process).
13. How to dispose of fireplace ashes.
14. How to clean rain gutters.
For more Works For Me Wednesday, visit Rocks In My Dryer.
This is great! Thanks!
Love this list!
I’m bookmarking this. Thank you for taking the time to put this all together.
I hate feeling helpless when something goes wrong and my husband isn’t around to take care of it.
WOW! What a GOLD MINE of information! You ROCK! Thank you for a most helpful WFMW!!!!
Trace
@Traci-
Thanks, you’re welcome, and YOU rock! lol Thanks so much for reading, and I’m glad you found the list useful.
Barbi
@Rina @Melissa D
So glad you like it- hope it comes in handy for you!
Barbi
@Sarah (Blue Castle):
You’re quite welcome. I joke with my husband when he’s gone that I won’t be able to do anything without him, but I think he really is quite proud (and relieved) to know that if something WAS to happen when he wasn’t home, I’d be able to take care of it. It’s a good feeling!
If you liked this one, you’ll love our other DIYs that are on the way. Thanks for the comment!
Barbi
Great post! This is one I’ll email to myself for keeping! Thanks!
This is so helpful – thanks!!
[...] DIYs every homemaker needs to know [...]
Thanks for the list.. Nice to have this all in one spot!!
Thanks for posting this great list! My garbage disposal got jammed the other day and I was going to have to call a plumber. Now I’m gong to look around for that crank thing.
@Kaye: I thought I was the only one emailing myself articles- right on!
Barbi
@ Tara: Sure thing!
@Heather: I don’t have a garbage disposal anymore, but I did in my last house, and I never knew about the crank. Oh well, better late than never! Glad to be of help *thumbs up*.
Barbi
I love DIY projects. I’m trying to fix all the little thing during the week so my hard working husband can relax at the weekends. Thanks so much for this list.
Great choice for the WFMW “greatest hits”! This is actually one of my favorites too, I had linked to it back at the end of January!! http://tinyurl.com/cayyuc
@Leanne: I agree. The last thing you want to do when your husband gets home from work is say, “Oh by the way, the _________ is broken. Can you fix it?”! I’m glad the list will come in handy!
Barbi
@Susan: Thanks for the link up! Actually, it felt very uncomfortable to link to an old article – I wanted to give new tips and info that hadn’t been shared before! That one WFMW seemed to be the fave, though. Thank you for leaving a comment and happy Wednesday
Barbi
I’m bookmarking this. We’re in the process of buying a home, and the maintenance issue is one of the most stress-inducing parts of it. I’m sure this will come in handy!
This is such a great list!! It should be printed out – and then put the name and phone number of a professional next to each of those items, so should you need to call a pro, you will have the number already.
I was quite pleased going through the list, that I knew how to do most of those – and have done most! ahhh home ownership.
My greatest tip is about Vitamin E
Have a great day!
Kristin
Oooh, I just had an epiphany! This should be sent to all new homeowners. My sister is buying a house this week, her first one and she is certainly going to need some instructions. The link is being sent immediately.
@Kristin: Thank you! What a great idea to give it to new homeowners. Thanks so much for passing it on. Have a wonderful week!
Barbi