The media is telling you a lie; maintenance is not dull as it sounds.
Yes, it's true.
You might leave unattended jobs for months, waiting for help to fix it, but in real life, it is just a matter of a few minutes. Even better, some little hacks can even stop you from having to call for help in the first place.
We want to let you in on a few secrets. Some of these tasks listed here are basic maintenance tasks that take minimal effort but ensure that your home is in pristine condition.
So to help you with your home fixes, we've put together an assortment of 7 must-know hacks that will give you the lowdown on some necessary fixes to save you time and money.
1 Replace old sockets with new ones with ease
This might be the single most straightforward task at hand. With time, the plastics can have dust filled in and eventually not work. If you move into a new home, you might encounter a few odd sockets that need fixing.
Replacement sockets are easy to find and can be bought at any supermarket or convenience store.
The first thing you will need to do before replacing any sockets is to locate your fusebox and switch off the supply. Check the socket if it is live by simply plugging in a lamp and see If it is working to be 100% certain.
Next, remove the faceplate screws to expose the wires. Remember, you will need to replace like for like. Usually, the live wire is red or brown, and the neutral comes in black or blue. Snap a photo for reference.
Loosen the terminal screws and set the wires free. Get the new faceplate, reconnect the wires and screw it back on.
Finally, go back to the fuse box and switch it on.
2 Easily touch up woodwork
Use a scraper to remove any loose paint around the area to paint. Ideally, use medium sandpaper - around 80 grit to rub down and blend the area that needs painting.
Dab on the undercoat and spread it out with a one or two-inch paintbrush (depending on the size of the area you are touching up).
Let it dry for a bit, and add in another undercoat if you think it wasn't enough. When dry, rub it down lightly with fine sandpaper - use 120-150 grit and brush away the residue.
Once you are done, add the top coat of paint.
3 Makeup sponges to repair drywall
Usually, mesh or paper tape is the go-to material to fill small holes in drywall, but a used-up cosmetic sponge will do the job better. They are flimsy, easy to squeeze through the small spaces and occupy the whole area. Stuff it into the hole (cut it down to accurate size) and spackle.
Bonus - add a little baking soda to a pulp with fast-acting glue to fix a small wall crack faster. When the mixture is dry, it forms a hard plastic that you can easily sand down to a smooth surface.
4 Use a drill to clean the bathtub
(No, this is not about drilling more holes in it)
Grim in the bathtub is the hardest to clean. With moisture and wet surfaces, it becomes almost impossible to get some of the deeply sedimented dirt away, and it takes a lot of elbow grease to deep clean your bathtub.
But with a cordless drill clipped to a foam ball polishing attachment (commonly found in the automotive section), the job becomes quite simple.
The revolutions from the grill will loosen even the deep dirt, and you'll have a sparkling bathtub in minutes.
Bonus: You will also find rain-repellent windshield sealant on the automotive shelves. Apply it to clean glass shower doors and reduce the soap foam buildup.
5 Apply nail polish to fill a hole in your window
With time, the floorboard nails that hold it together can become loose, leading to squeaky floors. The simple fix is to locate the floorboard with the problem and change the screws. Make sure the screws you use are the same size as the previous ones.
Make sure that no electrical cables are running under the floorboard. Use a drill (smaller than the screw) and a countersink, so the screw head is flush with the floorboard. Then add screws every 12 inches.
6 Replace old tile grout with caulk in the bathroom
With time, the grout on the bathroom tiles will slowly fade away. The splashing of water is inevitable, and with a little bit of elbow grease, you can get the original colour of the grout back.
Use a stiff brush to remove any grout and clean the edges. Mix up the new grout and apply it with a grout float (found in any department store). Leave for 10-15 minutes and wipe it with a wet sponge. Leave for another 5 minutes and polish the tiles with a dry cloth.
Remove the old caulk with a scraper to recaulk and clean and dry. Knowing how to use decorators' caulk is straightforward enough. Get your caulk and caulk gun and run along the area to be filled. Smooth out with your finger, and you are done.
7 Use painters tape for a smooth caulk job
Getting a clean straight line with caulk can be a seemingly impossible task; drips and fallouts will always occur. But it is an effortless task if you use painter's tape. Thoroughly clean the area you are caulking first and apply adhesion painter's tape, leaving enough space to caulk.
Leave for a few minutes and while the caulk is still wet, peel off the tape, and you have a tidy job.
DIY maintenance is effortless and straightforward. You only need willpower and a little bit of curiosity!
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