Your house is probably the biggest purchase you will make in your lifetime. To protect this sizable investment, it's important to stay on top of maintenance and repairs. If a malfunction is simple and minor, you can save time and money by fixing it yourself. Here are three common household malfunctions and some solutions that you can implement yourself.
Leaky Faucet
A faucet that leaks all day will drive you crazy and waste gallons of water at the same time. This malfunction is most often caused by a failing part. Depending on the type of faucet you have, the part in question will be the O-ring, rubber washer, or neoprene seal. To fix this issue, all you have to do is purchase a replacement part and use simple household tools to disassemble your sink. To do this safely and effectively, research what kind of faucet you have and how to take it apart without damaging it. You can also purchase a sink repair kit and use it to replace multiple parts.
Smelly Garbage Disposal
If you notice that your garbage disposal smells like a swamp, that might be due to overgrowth of bacteria from food residue. To refresh a stinky garbage disposal, a simple hack is to grind up a fresh lemon. The citric acid, combined with the fragrant oils in the lemon peel, will blast bacterial activity and neutralize odors. After grinding up the lemon, give the disposal a flush with some clear, running water.
Toilet with Leaking Base
A toilet that leaks from the base is most often caused by an inner seal that's gone bad. In this case, all you need to do is obtain and install a replacement seal. To accomplish this, shut off the water supply and flush the toilet until it sits empty. Then, carefully remove the bolts and lift it off the floor flange to expose the bad sealing ring. Use a putty knife to scrape off the old ring and replace it with the new ring. Then, slowly lower the toilet back into its original position from directly above. If your leaking toilet has caused water damage in the surrounding area, the additional damage can complicate the repair job. In this case, it's best to consult a professional restoration service before attempting any repairs yourself.
Performing home repairs can be empowering and satisfying, but you can also risk damage to yourself or your property. If the household malfunction is hazardous or requires a license to fix, it's best to skip the DIY route and leave it to the experts.
