Equipped with these indispensable DIY skills, there exists an array of projects that every homeowner should be familiar with. Owning a home entails greater responsibility compared to renting. Instead of relying on a landlord to address household issues, the onus falls on you to fix them—and depending on the nature of the problem, it can be costly. However, acquiring a few practical tips and tricks can not only help you save money and time but also enhance your skills and boost your confidence as a homeowner.
Before embarking on any project, Deane Biermeier, a seasoned contractor and DIY expert, suggests mastering four fundamental skills that will enable you to tackle almost any task around the house. “To become a proficient DIYer, there are just four skills you need to learn,” Biermeier advises. These four skills include measuring, hammering, using a screwdriver, and cutting various materials. Once you acquire these skills, he assures you, plumbing and electrical skills will come naturally.
Armed with these essential DIY skills, the following are the Essential DIYs that every homeowner should be acquainted with.
Essential DIYs: Replacing Furnace Filters
One of the essential DIY projects that every beginner should learn is the skill of replacing furnace filters. This task, falling under the category of “Essential DIYs,” should be carried out annually to ensure the proper functioning and efficiency of your HVAC system. It is a crucial step in maintaining the overall well-being of your home.
Moreover, replacing furnace filters plays a vital role in preventing the circulation of dust particles in the air within your home. Whether you have reusable filters that can be cleaned or filters that require replacement each year, undertaking this DIY project offers numerous benefits for your home and is considered an indispensable part of your Essential DIYs repertoire.
According to Biermeier, establishing and adhering to a comprehensive home maintenance plan is the most significant DIY project for any household. This plan should cover various aspects, such as the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as all appliances and fixtures in your home. It should include tasks like inspections, filter changes, cleaning, and other necessary activities, making it an essential component of your focus on essential DIY projects.
Painting a Wall
Painting is a fundamental aspect of do-it-yourself projects that can have a significant impact on your home. It is crucial for every homeowner to possess painting skills, but there is more to it than simply immersing a paintbrush in a can of paint and applying it to the wall. It is important to familiarize yourself with the use of painter’s tape to safeguard baseboards and other fixtures, understand the proper technique for using a roller or paintbrush to achieve a smooth finish and learn how to select colors that complement your space.
The most critical do-it-yourself undertaking in any household is to establish and adhere to a comprehensive home maintenance plan.
Replacing a Faucet
If you’re looking for essential DIYs, knowing how to replace a faucet is a must-have skill for any homeowner. Whether your faucet is malfunctioning or you want to upgrade an outdated fixture, mastering this DIY project can greatly enhance your kitchen, bathroom, and even laundry room. Understanding the process of repairing a leaky faucet is also essential, as it can save you from the need to replace it altogether.
Installing Wall Shelves
From your living room to your office, bedroom, closet, and even the garage, wall shelves provide an indispensable solution for DIY storage in your home. Although installing wall shelves may pose a slight challenge compared to hanging a painting, it remains an achievable task even for novice DIY enthusiasts. The process involves utilizing a few essential DIY tools and skills, such as locating wall studs, selecting appropriate wall anchors based on shelf weight, and effectively employing a screwdriver.
According to Biermeier, “Hammering and screw-driving skills are crucial and prove useful for nearly every DIY endeavor, ranging from hanging a picture to constructing a house.”
Drafts can cause your home to become uncomfortably warm during summer or excessively cold throughout winter, while simultaneously contributing to inflated heating and cooling expenses. The majority of drafts typically emanate from windows and doors, making it essential to possess DIY know-how in sealing them off. Depending on the draft’s location, several viable DIY options exist: installing weatherstripping, employing gap filler, and caulking gaps all serve as efficient and straightforward methods to ensure a draft-free home.
Fixing a Running or Clogged Toilet
When it comes to Essential DIYs, one common challenge homeowners face is dealing with a running or blocked toilet, which tends to occur repeatedly. Instead of relying on a plumber for help every time, it’s advantageous to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to troubleshoot these issues independently. Resolving a clogged toilet is typically a straightforward task, especially if you have a reliable plunger and are familiar with the appropriate technique. However, tackling a running toilet may require a slightly more complex approach, potentially involving the disassembly of specific toilet components based on the underlying problem. Nonetheless, even beginners can easily handle this Essential DIY task.
Unclogging a Drain
When it comes to Essential DIYs, one crucial skill every homeowner should possess is the ability to unclog drains. Dealing with clogged drains, similar to blocked toilets, can often become a common issue, especially if you’ve purchased an older house where previous occupants were negligent in their disposal practices. Whether it’s the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, or even the shower, having knowledge about clearing a clogged drain will be incredibly advantageous in the long run. It will save you valuable time and money by eliminating the need to hire a plumber or wait for their services.