Every homeowner experiences their fair share of household headaches. Maybe the washing machine isn’t working like it used to, the air conditioner is faulty and drawers are sticking to each other. Learn how to fix those issues with our home improvement guide. When in doubt, contact a professional to do the work for you!
Clothes aren’t getting clean
You wash the same load of laundry over and over again, wasting time, money and energy doing so because those stains won’t come out. Rather than switch to a new laundry detergent, consider checking the temperature of the water during the cycle. For a washing machine to do its job in dissolving laundry detergent, water shouldn’t be lower than 60 degrees F because it won’t be able to break down the detergent.
The fix: Using a cooking thermometer, measure the temperature of the water during various laundry cycles. If you’re noticing the temperature isn’t at what it should be during a cold water wash, select a warm water option for a portion of the cycle. This will help break down the detergent and get your clothes clean again. Another tidbit to keep in mind is that cold water rinses are equally effective as hot water cycles. Your rinse setting should always be left on cold, no matter what the washing temperature is. Plus, you’ll save on your energy bill by making the switch.
Still not working? There could be a problem with the appliance itself and it’s bigger than a DIY fix. That’s where we come in: we have compiled a directory of appliance repair specialists who can diagnose the problem and present a permanent solution, whether it’s a repair or recommendation to replace your washer.
Your washer may need a check-up every now and then.
The A/C unit isn’t working
Nothing is worse in the summer time then turning on your air conditioning unit and realizing that it’s not doing its job. How on earth are you going to beat the heat? Before you panic, just know there are a few things that could be going wrong with the unit:
- A fuse blew;
- The air filter needs replacing.
The fixes: A blown fuse can be caused by the compressor stopping in a high compression mode, which in turn gives the A/C unit difficulty when starting up. To identify if this is in fact the problem as opposed to the unit needing replacing, locate the fuse box near the unit. Pull out the block and bring it to a hardware store. An expert on hand will be able to test the fuses and determine if they need replacing.
If that’s not the issue, it could be that the air filter inside the unit is dirty, clogged and needs replacing. In fact, air filters should be replaced every three months to keep your A/C unit running smoothly.
If both check-ups check out, then it may be time to bring in the professionals. An experienced air conditioning expert will know the ins and outs of units and can identify the main problem and how to fix it.
See the difference?
Door hinges are making too much noise
Do you find yourself cringing every time you open an interior door in your home? Maybe it’s the front door. At some point, it’s bound to get to you.
The fix: Loosen the hinge pin (one at a time and while the door is closed). Lightly coat the hinge with petroleum jelly and put some right where the pin slot is. The jelly will silence the annoying squeak. Move onto the next hinge until you’re done. Open and close the door a few times to make sure the petroleum works its way around the hinge joints.
Don’t trust your DIY skills? That’s ok! Little projects around the home like this can be solved by a handyman. We have an extensive directory of handyman professionals in your area! Read through customer reviews to find a company that’s right for your project.
Silence that squeak for good!
Cabinets rubbing together
Imagine the frustration when you’re trying to open a cabinet to grab something you need and the drawer won’t open because the cabinets are rubbing together! Then somehow, you end up with two or three open drawers at the same time.
The fix: Luckily for you, there’s an easy way to fix this. Take a candle and rub it against the skids under the drawer and the tracks. The candle acts as a lubricant that will prevent wood from sliding against other pieces of wood.
This is fairly simple and doesn’t require an expert’s help, but you may have to pass by a home accessories store in your neighbourhood to purchase a candle to fix the problem!
That should do the trick!
Plumbing leak
We could continue to tell you that nothing’s more frustrating than a plumbing leak happening in your home, but so are the other homeowner headaches we just talked about! In all seriousness, if a plumbing leak is not dealt with immediately, it can cause serious damage to your home. But before you hit the panic button, you should know about this helpful tip.
The fix: A lot of leaks occur simply because valves are coming loose and/or are worn out. Before you reach for our directory of plumbing contractors to inspect it, double-check to see if there’s a leaky valve nearby. You could probably fix the problem by turning the packing nut with a wrench. Don’t overtighten it to the point where it’s hard to turn. You just want to give it a nudge.
If you’re seeing that the leak is still happening, you’ll likely have to shut off the main water valve and replace a part of the valve. Don’t worry, our plumbing contractors can do that for you!
Source: The Family Handyman
No one said home ownership was going to be easy. With the right tools, you can learn how to protect your home. As always, eieihome.com is here for you when you need a home service professional. Our wide directory covers a variety of home improvement and renovation professionals, including handyman professionals. Check it out!
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