5 Ways You Can Be Your Own Handyman Around the House

With a few simple, every day, around-the-house items, you can repair these 5 things in your home!

There are some areas around the house that are commonly neglected because they are easy to put on the back burner. Things like scuff marks, clogged drains, carpet dents, squeaky doors, and nail holes in walls are frustrating and unsightly, but fortunately, they are easy to fix. And best of all, you can fix them on your own in most cases! Continue reading to learn how you can repair these 5 areas all on your own, and for with items you already have laying around the house!

Indianapolis Handyman Service 317-454-3612

Indianapolis Handyman Service 317-454-3612

Clogged Sink Drains

Regardless of personal experience, anyone can repair a clogged sink drain. On the other hand, sometimes a professional plumber is required for more serious drain obstructions, especially showers, tubs, and outdoor drains. As for a do-it-yourself approach, to repair a clogged sink drain all you need is some Effervescent tablets (i.e. Alka-Seltzer®) and distilled white vinegar.

Simply drop two Effervescent tablets of choice down the obstructed drain. Next, pour one cup of vinegar down the drain and wait 2 minutes. Finish by running hot water from the faucet at full pressure for 1 minute. If this doesn’t work, repeat the process once more. If this still doesn’t work, it is time to call a professional plumbing contractor.

Carpet Dents

Dents and depressions in carpet can happen overtime as a result of foot traffic, heavy furniture, and worn padding. Unfortunately, these depressions also make carpet look older, which can make the entire room look dull and outdated. For carpets with several dents and depressions, it is necessary to have the carpet or underlying padding replaced, professionally. However, if you have just one or two pesky carpet dents leftover from rearranging furniture or some other factor, you can usually fix them yourself. And all you need is ice and patience!

Simply place two or three ice cubes on the carpet, directly on top of the dent. Allow the ice to melt and saturate for 8 hours. Next, gently lift the carpet with your fingers to recreate a flat-like surface. Then finish by vacuuming the treated area.

Scuff Marks

Whether from shoes, furniture, or toys, scuff marks are bound to show up at some point in time. These black, gummy scuffs are an eye sore, and can even ruin flooring overtime if not managed properly. Fortunately, all you need is a tennis ball of some sort and a little old-fashioned elbow grease. You can use your dog’s toy, an actual tennis ball, or any other ball with the same type of felt. Just be sure it is new, unused, and clean.

To remove scuff marks, simply buff the area with your felted ball. Use gentle strokes to effectively remove black scuffs on wood, tile, laminate, and even painted walls. You can also use a melamine foam cleaning sponge (i.e. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser®) if you do not have a tennis ball.

Old Nail Holes

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, and sometimes a picture needs to be taken down. Other times, a picture is a challenge to hang and requires several failed attempts. Unfortunately, all of these scenarios result in unsightly, exposed nail holes in the wall. The upside, however, is that these nail holes can be easily camouflaged with an item you use every single day of your life (your dentist hopes)!

To cover up old nail holes, all you need is some toothpaste and a ruler. If you do not have a ruler, you can use anything that has a solid straight edge, such as a credit card or trowel. If you really want a professional finish, you will need wall paint as a finisher. But to simply cover up and camouflage, just place a small dollop of toothpaste over the hole and smooth it out with your ruler. Then wipe off any remaining residue around the hole.

Squeaky Doors

If you want to scurry around the house at night, or while the kids are napping, squeaky doors might give you away. In any case really, squeaky doors are obnoxious and can make a home appear old or outdated. If you have squeaky doors, the likely cause are the hinges. Fortunately, there is a simple fix for this; and all you need is some petroleum jelly (i.e. Vaseline®)!

Simply apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the door hinges, being careful not to apply too much at one time. Work in small amounts so that you do not over-oil the hinges. As you work, move the door back and forth to assess the level of squeakiness left.

If the Job is Too Big For You…

Home Repair Service 317-454-3612

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Call Restoration By L&B LLC at 317-454-3612 for Indianapolis home handyman services at competitive prices. Owner and general contractor, Lee Elliot, is happy to answer all your questions about home remodel planning, prices, and process. And don’t forget; we guarantee to BEAT any prices quoted by our competition! Request a written estimate, today.