Tuesday 12 September 2017

Quick Fixes and Home Improvement Skills Every Adult Should Know

  
To be part of a well-functioning place to call home, you have to be able to fix damages/ breakage or should know how to make them alright by hiring a professional home maintenance service.

Today we want to discuss some simple house maintenance activities every adult should master so they can manage their homes in good condition without spending much.

Unclog a smelly and blocked drain
Blocked drains can be cleared with the following easy technical method. First, remove the stopper by loosening the horizontal rod that goes into the drain pipe. Now bend a piece of stiff wire to make a hook, and use it to locate and fish out the clog. A wad of hair and soap scum near the top of the drain can be easily removed this way without applying any chemicals.

If the drain is still clogged, you can unclog it naturally using household items. Pour quarter to half a cup of alkaline baking soda onto the drain. Add one cup of white vinegar after 20 minutes. The acidic vinegar and the alkaline soda generate a chemical reaction resulting in the release of oxygen which will be forced into the mix and scour the drain pipe. Finally when the chemical reaction is over, pour enough boiling water into the drain to flush it clean.

The baking soda-vinegar method is environment-friendly and the cheapest cleaning idea you can ever try. This way you can also avoid using harsh chemicals that may leave odours and residue in your sinks.

Precautions while hanging wall art and mirrors
The wall art or a mirror can enhance your home decor by highlighting a focal point or an architectural detail.

You can easily learn how to hang up artwork or mirrors properly in their right place. Here are some safety measures to be observed to display them properly without damaging the walls.

First of all check and find out if it’s a masonry wall or a cavity wall. You should be more careful with cavity walls, which can conceal all manner of pipes and electric cables.

Also, never drill directly above or below light switches or plug sockets because you’re sure to find electric cables there. Take precaution using an electronic tester, which can detect electric current and the metal of a pipe behind the wall.

How to manage patching holes in the wall
Normally people have a tendency to ignore holes in a wall. Patching holes is not a difficult task if you read the hints given below.
Lightweight spackle dabbed on with a fingertip and a damp rag is all you need to plug pinholes in your home’s walls.  When it dries, touch up with an artist brush and a little leftover paint. Wipe off all excess spackle surrounding the hole.  For textured walls, you can apply the spackle with a toothpick so it won’t spread beyond the hole and spoil the texture.

To patch a big hole in drywall, you need some expertise in handling tools. Attempt the DIY procedures only if you are ok with that.

Set a screw that won’t stop turning
We know it’s frustrating to see a stripped screw that spins and spins endlessly without getting tightened. Of course, there are a few ways to deal with the screw that just spins in place.

Remove the stripped screw and try using a wider screw if it fits with the hinge so you can fix a wobbly cabinet door. If the hinge allows the small screw only, then stuff the screw hole with wooden toothpicks coated in wood glue. Once the glue is dried, cut the protruding extra portion of the toothpick with a knife. Now you can easily tighten the screw which won’t spin again.

These DIY home improvement skills that everyone should know how to do are brought to you by the training department of Select Cleaning, New Zealand's most reliable home cleaning service.

No comments:

Post a Comment