Yahoo Finance 9 Seasonal Household Fixes You Can Do Yourself To Save Big Money
The dog days of summer are upon us, which means fall is right around the corner. This is the time of year you want to make sure you prepare your home for the harsh weather months to come, taking advantage of not just the sunny days to do the work, but perhaps the extra time you have on your hands to do it yourself.
Afterall, making sure your home is in tip top shape can be a full time job, but you do not have to pay someone else to take care of it. Doing it yourself is the best way to save money and ensure the job is done just how you like it.
Here are nine seasonal household fixes you can do yourself to save big money.
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Leaky Faucets
Leaky faucets and showerheads are simple plumbing fixes with huge returns on investments, according to Brayden Montgomery, the owner of Vantage Builders.
“Parts are under $20 at any hardware store, while plumbers charge $150 just to show up,” Montgomery said.
“Tightening loose pipes or replacing washers typically only requires a wrench and plumber’s putty. DIY plumbing may seem daunting, but with a little guidance, anyone can handle basic repairs,” he said.
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Gutter Cleaning and Repair
One of the simplest seasonal fixes is gutter cleaning, according to Bob Berriz of Berriz Design.
“Having professionals come clean your gutters charges $200-$500 for an average sized home, but with an extension ladder, gutter guards and a few hours of your time, you can handle this yourself for under $50,” Berriz said.
“Make sure to check gutters after large storms and before winter for maximum efficiency and to avoid costly water damage,” he added.
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HVAC Maintenance
While you might not be able to tackle the entire heating and cooling system within your home, one easy fix is changing your air filters.
“Regularly changing the air filters in your HVAC system is a simple task that can extend the life of your equipment and improve air quality in your home,” said Josh Mitchell, HVAC and plumbing technician.
“Professionals charge anywhere from $75 to $150 for this service, but you can buy a filter for as little as $10 to $30 and do it yourself in about 10 minutes,” Mitchell continued, citing the U.S. Department of Energy, which described how this DIY fix saves immediate service costs and reduces your energy bill by 5% to 15% monthly.
Paint Jobs
Painting rooms or trim is another simple update with a huge financial impact, in the professional opinion of Nick Chatzigeorgakis, a home repair expert.
“The cost of rollers, brushes and a few gallons of paint is a fraction of professional painting,” Chatzigeorgakis said.
“As an example, a client recently had us repaint their living room for $3,500,” Chatzigeorgakis said. “Doing it themselves would have cost around $200. With some patience and prep, DIY painting can yield big savings.”
Running Toilets
Your toilet might be running — not just all the time, but running up a bill by wasting potentially 200 gallons of water each day. For between $5 and $20, you can stop your toilet by replacing the flapper or adjusting the fill valve.
“Professional plumbers charge between $50 and $150 for this job,” Mitchell said. “Handling it yourself can save you on labor costs and reduce water wastage, which might lower your water bill by around 10%.”
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Landscaping
Joe Gerrior, owner of Gerrior Masonry and Landscape Construction Corp, shared that fall and spring cleanups are typically something many homeowners waste a lot of money on.
“Raking leaves, pruning shrubs and clearing debris are tasks my team handles daily, and we can do them much more efficiently,” said Gerrior.
“However, with some time and the right tools, homeowners can tackle these jobs themselves. Investing in quality rakes, loppers, leaf blowers and mulchers can save hundreds per season,” Gerrior added.
Unclog Drains
Mitchell recommended that instead of calling a plumber, a plunger or a plumber’s snake can clear most clogged drains.
“A plumber might charge $100 to $275 for this service,” said Mitchell.
“A decent plumber’s snake costs about $25, and it can be used multiple times, providing substantial savings over time,” Mitchell continued. “This DIY effort could save you the total cost of a plumber’s visit each time you clear a drain.”
Irrigation Cleaning and Maintenance
According to Kenny Kwiatkowski, an irrigation expert with Grasshole System, cleaning and adjusting sprinkler heads costs little but saves hundreds in repairs.
“Simply use a wire to clear any debris, check that water flows evenly and redirect misters. Doing this in spring and fall prevents overwatering sections of your lawn,” Kwiatkowski explained.
“Replacing torn or kinked drip irrigation lines is also straightforward,” Kwiatkowski continued. “Tubing and emitters are cheap at your local hardware store. Follow the existing lines and double check for leaks using your timer. Drip systems cut water use by up to 70%, so maintaining them saves money and helps the environment.”
For larger repairs, Kwiatkowski recommended installing a rain shutoff sensor that attaches easily to most timers and prevents wasted water. As it costs under $30, Kwiatkowski noted that this system pays for itself quickly.
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General Roof Upkeep
“As a roofer, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of regular roof inspections. A small issue ignored can turn into a costly disaster,” said Joshua Riutta, owner of Mikku and Sons Roofing. Riutta noted that doing the maintenance on your roof yourself can potentially provide a range of savings from $100-$300 annually in repair costs.
“Check your roof at least twice a year, spring and fall,” Ruitta said, emphasizing the importance of regular inspections throughout the year. “Look for missing, damaged or curled shingles, signs of water damage and debris buildup.
“Branches can damage your roof during storms. Regular trimming prevents costly repairs,” Ruitta added.
Overall DIY Savings
“These tasks save money and equip homeowners with skills that pay off long term,” Mitchell said. “By understanding and performing your repairs, you increase your home’s efficiency and prevent minor issues from becoming costly.”
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