Easy At-Home Maintenance

Loose Countertop

A common problem in the kitchen is a loose countertop. Most of the time, the cause of this problem is simply loose screws that hold the countertop to the cabinet.

Open the cabinet doors and remove drawers to try to access the screws. If you can, simply tighten the screws with a screwdriver. Or, buy corner brackets and screw them into the countertop and cabinet for a tight fit.

You can also reattach a countertop by filling the loose space between the countertop and the cabinet with silicone caulk.

Electrical Outlet Safety

The plastic plates that surround many electrical outlets and light switches often become cracked. This is an easy piece to replace, but you need to be careful because you’re working near electricity.

First, switch off the electricity to the light switch or outlet at the main fuse box. Make sure that electricity doesn’t reach the outlet or light switch by testing it. On a light switch, make sure that flipping the switch doesn’t turn on the light. Plug something into the outlet and make sure that it won’t turn on.

Once you’ve made sure no electricity is flowing, remove the screws that are holding the plate in place. Replace the old plate with the new one. Reattach the plate using the screws provided with it. Finally, turn the electricity back on.

The wall around a light switch can easily get scratched or dirty over time. To protect it from wear and tear simply add some durable laminate flooring around the light switch. You can personalize it with special messages or create decorative looks with paint.

Loose Floor Tiles

A loose tile on your bathroom floor is as annoying as a rock in your shoe. Each time you step on it, you wince. But it’s easy to fix.

Remove the tile and clean it, along with the hole where it was placed. With a spackle knife, spread a thin layer of floor tile adhesive on the back of the tile. Press back into place and wipe up any excess adhesive with a cloth.

Reupholster Dining Chairs

Many upholstered chair seats start to wear away when they get old, simply go out of style, or both. But updating these seats is an easy fix.

Start by finding a bolt of heavy-duty cloth that you like at a fabric or furniture store. Then, remove the chair seat from the chair. Place your fabric flat on the ground, then place the chair seat in the middle of the fabric. Fold the fabric over the edge of the seat, and, while holding it tightly, staple it down. Cut off the excess fabric, then staple or hot-glue trim around the edges. Return the seat to the chair and screw it back into place.

You can use the same process to upholster bar stools. Just utilize foam for added comfort and fabric cut to size.

Loose Table Leg

Having bumped into that side table one too many times makes for a wobbly situation. Fix this problem easily with a wrench. Turn the table upside down, then tighten the bolts in each corner.

Handyman Made Simple

These are just a few easy repairs that most everyone can do on their own. For more involved projects, call in the professionals.

But don’t be nervous to pick up a screwdriver or wrench and fix some smaller problems on your own. Not only will you save a little money, it’s a great feeling of accomplishment.