7 Essential DIYs Every Homeowner Should Know

Buying a home can involve more responsibility than renting. Instead of calling the homeowner and fixing problems in the house, it’s your responsibility to fix them—and depending on what the problem is, it can be expensive. But learning some helpful tips and tricks will not only save you money and time, but will also help you develop your skills and become a more confident homeowner.

Before you get started, Dean Biermeier, an experienced contractor and home improvement expert, recommends mastering four skills that will help you get almost anything done around the house.

“To be a successful DIYer, you only need to master four skills,” says Biermeier. “These four men measured, hammered, used screwdrivers and cut various materials.” Once you learn them, “the plumbing and electrical skills will come naturally,” he says.

So armed with those skills, these are the DIYs that every homeowner should know.

Replacing Furnace Filters

DIY beginners may not want to get too involved with furnace or water heater projects, but you should know how to change your furnace filter. The furnace filter should be replaced annually. It can help keep your HVAC system running well and efficiently, and as an added bonus, it also helps remove dust from the air in your home. Whether you have fireplace filters that can be cleaned or need to replace them with new ones every year, this is one of the best things you can do for your home.
“The most important DIY project in any home is developing and following a thorough home maintenance plan,” says Biermeier. “The plan should include the home’s HVAC systems, electrical and plumbing systems, and all of your appliances and fixtures. Inspections, filter changes, cleaning or other work should be on the to-do list.”

Wall paint
Painting is one of the easiest DIY jobs you can do and the one that has the biggest impact on your home. Every homeowner should know how to paint, but there’s more to it than just dipping a brush into a can of paint and applying it to the wall. Make sure you also know how to use painter’s tape to protect baseboards and other fixtures, learn how to properly use a paint roller or brush for a smooth finish, and how to actually choose a Beautiful color for your space.

The most important DIY project for any home is developing and following a thorough home maintenance plan.

Replace faucet
Whether your faucet is broken or you just want to update an old fixture, replacing your faucet is one of the first things you should learn as a homeowner. And this skill can help you improve your kitchen, bathroom, and even laundry room. You should also know how to fix a leaky faucet in case your current faucet can be saved.

Install wall shelves
From the living room to the office, bedroom, dressing room and even the garage, wall shelves are a practical and attractive storage solution for your home. Installing wall shelves can be more difficult than hanging a picture, but even novice DIYers can do it. Installing a wall shelf requires some handy tools and skills, such as finding wall studs, using wall anchors that match the weight of the shelf, and using a screwdriver.

“Hammering and screwing skills … are important and useful for almost any project, from hanging pictures to building a house,” Biermeier said.

Seal the project
Drafts can make your home too warm in the summer or too cold in the winter, but they can also increase your heating and cooling costs. Most airflow comes from your home’s windows and doors, and sealing them is an important skill to know. Depending on the location of the drafts, there are several options: Installing weather stripping, using gap fillers, and sealing gaps are all effective and easy ways to keep your home draft-free.

Hammering and screwing skills are important and useful for almost any project, from hanging pictures to building a house.

Fix a running or clogged toilet
A leaking or clogged toilet is a common problem that every homeowner will have to deal with, probably more than once. So instead of calling a plumber every time you have a problem, learn how to fix these problems yourself. Fixing a clogged toilet is relatively easy in most cases, as long as you have a good plunger and know the correct method. Fixing a running toilet is a little more difficult as it may require disassembling part of the toilet – depending on the problem – but it is still easy enough for beginners.

Sewer cleaning
Like clogged toilets, clogged drains can also be a common problem for homeowners, especially if you’re moving into an older home where the previous owner didn’t keep track of what was flushed down the drain. Knowing how to unclog a drain, from the kitchen sink to the bathroom sink and even the shower, will benefit you in the long run and save you from having to spend money or wait for a plumber.