George K.
They say that a house is an endless project that requires ongoing effort. However, that tends to apply to apartments as well. No matter where you live, you’ll need to perform at least some kind of basic maintenance.
The key is to do it the right way — to be smart about it. We’ll try to share a few tips and tricks that should help you maintain your home’s installations with ease. Some of these might be common knowledge, but others will most likely surprise you!
Garbage Disposal Cocktail
Let’s start this list off with one easy and interesting tip. Garbage disposal units are among the most useful appliances we have access to these days. Yet, it’s only a matter of time before your garbage disposal unit goes dull. When that happens, you’ll find yourself staring at two options — either you pull the whole thing apart and have the blades professionally sharpened, or you run some ice through them.
That’s right, sending ice down the garbage disposal will actually sharpen the blades. You won’t get a new disposal unit, but you’ll get a level of performance that is definitely within the acceptable range.
Speaking of garbage disposals, odors can also be one of the major issues you’ll face as your unit gains some mileage. To freshen it up a bit, run citrus fruit peel down the drain. Lemon or oranges will work just fine. While you’re sending pieces of lemon down, make sure to run some water along with it.
Be Careful Around Water Heaters
Water heaters are one of those things we don’t fully appreciate until they break down. Going one day without a shower can be too much for some people, let alone a whole week.
Deciding to DIY a leaky water heater fix is perfectly fine, as long as you do it the smart way. Handymen from waterheaterleakinginfo.com urge everyone to take all the necessary precautions when attempting to fix a water heater. Make sure that it’s powered down if it’s an electric unit, and most definitely shut the water down before you start messing with the pipes.
A leaky water heater can be tricky to diagnose, but with a bit of knowledge, you can skip on calling your local maintenance people to fix it.
Apply Caution When Fixing Electrical Wiring
Electrical wiring on some houses is iffy at best. If your home has electrical wiring issues, you need to make a decision — either you’ll call an electrician to take care of any problems, or you’ll attempt to fix the issue on your own.
Doing any kind of electrical work by yourself is risky. That’s one thing you need to understand right off the bat. Unless you’re a qualified electrician, the smartest thing you can do is to leave the heavy lifting for the pros.
Working on outlets, fixing light switches and similar light work is definitely something you can do on your own. Even so, there are a few safety steps you need to take before touching any wires. Find your fuse box and shut off power to the part of the house you’re working in. If you’re unsure which fuse controls the electrical wiring you’re working on, just kill the main power switch. It’s better to completely shut off power than to trip the wrong fuse.
Use Vinegar to Clean Your Shower Head
Is your shower head all clogged up? Are you getting no pressure in your shower, even though it’s perfectly fine in the rest of the house? If so, chances are that your shower head is clogged. The fix is surprisingly simple. All you’ll need is a zip-lock bag and some vinegar.
Wrap the shower head in a zip-lock bag full of vinegar and let it sit overnight. Vinegar will work its magic while you sleep, making sure that your morning shower is a refreshing experience.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
We haven’t even scratched the surface with these tips. The key to worry-free home maintenance is to work smarter, not harder. That being said, all of these skills, tips, and tricks are something you’ll learn over time. If you’re a new homeowner, arm yourself with tools and be ready to wrangle small issues as they come.
Soon after you’ll feel comfortable enough handling more serious problems. Complex electrical and plumbing work is also within reach, but you’ll definitely want to get formal hands-on training in both of these areas if you’re serious about attempting any such repairs. Learn as you go and don’t let any challenges slow you down.
