What Are the Most Common Home Repairs?

Not all home repairs are big changes. In fact, some of the most persistent and frustrating home repairs include the little, pernickety jobs that only really require being fixed by yours truly.

However, as a new homeowner, quick and easy repairs aren’t necessarily something you’ll have accounted for when moving in. Coming across these further down the line when you have moved in could spark some panic. Especially if you’re unsure whether these issues are serious or a quick fix. Therefore, we’re going to look at some of the most common repairs that homeowners encounter and how you should respond should this issue appear in your home.

1. Mould removal

One of the most tenacious household problems. Most homeowners will willingly share the exasperation of this particular fungus growing once and coming back with a continued aggression, making it difficult to fully remove.

The recommended procedure to remove mould from your home is to apply a solution of bleach and water to the targeted area and scrub with a brush until all signs of the mould have disappeared. From there, allow the solution to be soaked up by the surface and dry.

In order to prevent mould re-occurring or growing in the first place:

• Ensure no furniture touches or covers the walls and areas known to grow damp in the colder months, these could include the outer walls of your house.
• Set up dehumidifiers in the most troublesome rooms, these nifty appliances can be lifesavers for rooms that hold a considerable amount of damp.

1. Leaking showers and taps

Due to taps and showers being used on the daily by multiple individuals, wear and tear over time can cause these devices to play up. The most common being incessant leaking. This household problem can be expensive as a result of water bills but also other long-term repairs should the leaking gets out of hand.

Should you experience this in your home, here are some quick steps to follow for a leaky shower:

• Firstly, turn off water supply and remove leaky shower head.
• Next, either buy a new shower head as a replacement or for those on a budget, rest your shower head in white vinegar to remove any build up.
• Lastly, replace the shower head in your bathroom and test if the water still runs smoothly and stops without any leaking.

And, for a leaky tap, follow these steps:

• First of all, turn off your water supply to the taps and run the tap until the water supply cut off point is reached.
• Often found under the hot and cold signs, loosen the screws holding the tap together. (When removing the parts of the tap, lay them down in order of removal so you know the order to put them back together.)
• Whatever part of the tap is clearly causing the issue, screw to the left to loosen this and purchase a brand-new replacement.
• Finally, once the new part is fitted, you can put the tap all back together in the order laid out.

1. Cracks

Cracks and holes can appear in your walls and ceilings for various reasons; a shift in the roof trusses, removal of photo frames, incorrect application of drywall compound, humidity or a change in temperature.

In most cases, these occurrences are not anything to be too worried about from the outset. However, there are quick fixes to keep these cracks under control until a time when you can consider getting this redone.

Dependent on what your cracked wall has been built out of, we have suggestions for the most common wall type materials. For a drywall, purchase some joint compound or make it yourself to fill the crack and sand back once dried. A plaster wall will require assessment first to decide if it needs professional help, should it not, fill the crack with joint compound and cover with mesh tape before painting over this. In the case of a concrete wall, widen the existing crack with a chisel and hammer and clean with a wire brush, now you can fill the crack with concrete bonding adhesive and leave to dry.

1. Draughts

It doesn’t take long before one notices an unexpected draught, especially in the colder months when the heating is more than likely on.

In response to cold weather and age, window seals undergo wear and tear which can result in an unwanted draught in your home. Now, before you consider dishing out a significant sum of money towards purchasing new windows, opt for a quick fix in the short run.

For example, weather strips are recommended when looking for a quick and affordable solution. Purchase these from any local DIY store, look up a tutorial online and you should be able to carry out the process in less than ten easy steps.

1. Squeaky doors

There’s not really much to say about this one, but we’ve all endured a squeaky door at one time or another.

The easiest way to counteract this would be to use a silicon-based oil on the hinge. If you’re still noticing a slight creak, unscrew the pins holding the hinge in place and apply oil to the pins and holes, replace these and test again.

1. Clogged drains

Never a glamourous job that’s for sure, but necessary if your drain is struggling to empty its basin. Whether it’s a sink, shower or bath drain, these suggested techniques should work for all three. 

• Drain cleaner. Often containing sodium hypochloride, by pouring a little of this down your affected drain, whichever substances are clogging your drain should fizz away and clear the pipe for flawless draining.
• Or, opt for the good, old-fashioned plunging technique. Reserved for stubborn blockages, take your time with this method and choose a smaller bath plunger as opposed to the regular toilet plunger for a gentler approach.
• Lastly, if you come face to face with blockages regularly in your household, you may choose to invest in a drain snake. This tool is designed to fit down a drain and dislodge the build-up that is causing blockages.

1. Rainwater pipes and guttering

Throughout all the various seasons in the year, it’s natural for the external guttering to catch and hold leaves, branches, moss and the occasional nest. However, a lengthy amount of time holding this weight can result in rot or worse case scenario, the structure could collapse. 

Make it a half-yearly chore to clear your gutters in order to keep them in tip top condition.

Being a first-time buyer is both exciting yet scary as you take on board responsibilities you’ve never had to worry about before. On top of paying monthly bills, running a house, and making it a home, small repairs such as the above most likely aren’t at the top of your priority list. Nonetheless, being aware of the most common ones and what to do should you come across any should help to minimise stress and provide you with practicality when looking to fix the issue.