5 things you can fix at home

Simple chores that any homeowner can handle

Whether it’s a dripping faucet or the squeaky bedroom door, there are always little fix-ups that need to be done when you’re a homeowner. The good news is that most of these minor repairs can be handled by the average do-it-yourselfer, and the costs involved are not going to break the bank.

The following is our list of the five most common “small repairs” that homeowners can do themselves.

Re-caulking your bathtub

It may look daunting at first, but the truth is resealing your bathtub is not as hard as you might think. Over time, the caulking around your bathtub can begin to peel away, which will allow water to get between your tub and the bathroom wall, and may even lead to the growth of mold and mildew.

As soon as you notice your tub needs resealing, the first thing you should do is remove any old caulking. This can be done by simply cutting the caulk along the edge of the tub with a razor blade or utility knife, and then peeling it away. If there are any pieces of silicone left, you can apply a solvent that will allow it to be removed more easily. This product is available at almost any home repair center and needs to be left on the caulking for a few hours, in order for it to work.

Once the tub is clean, it is time to apply the new silicone sealant. Apply painter’s tape along the walls and bathtub edge, about ¼ inch from the seam. Make sure the area is completely dry, otherwise the caulking will not be able to cure properly. Starting in one corner, run a bead of caulk along one edge of the bathtub.

When you’re done, take your finger and dampen it slightly with water. Run your finger along the bead of silicone to smooth it out. Wait 20 minutes before you remove the tape, and then another 24 hours before you use your bathtub or shower.

Fixing squeaky doors

Kirstin Lomauro, a San Diego based interior designer, knows firsthand how frequently these little repairs can crop up. As the owner of her own interior design company, Lomauro is often called by harried homeowners who are desperate for her advice.

“The best fix for squeaky doors and cabinets is applying a silicon spray to the hinge,” says Lomauro. “This product can be found at any hardware store and is perfect for lubricating metal hinges. If the squeak is being caused by wood rubbing against other wood, then a quick application of candle wax on both surfaces will usually do the trick. Both are ideal solutions for sticky, squeaky doors.”

Unclogging a drain

We’ve all been there — faced with the disgusting job of trying to unclog a backed-up drain. Though the work is certainly unpleasant, not every clog requires the expertise of a plumber. With a few simple steps and a handful of inexpensive supplies, most homeowners can fix this problem themselves.

The first thing you can try is pouring boiling water down the drain. If the clog is from food particles, a quick rinse of hot water can sometimes dissolve and wash away the debris. Make sure to pour the water slowly and allow it to sit for a while before pouring in more water.

If boiling water by itself didn’t unclog the drain, then the next step may be to add a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Take ¼ cup of baking soda and pour it directly into the drain. Next add a cup of vinegar and then cover the drain with a washcloth or tea towel. Let the mixture sit for 15 to 20 minutes before adding the boiling water. This will often work on stubborn clogs, as long as they’re not packed too tightly. It’s also a good preventive measure to do once a month to keep your pipes clear.

When all else fails, you can always rely on your good old faithful plunger or plumber’s snake. Both of these items work wonderfully, and when combined with a store-bought clog remover like Liquid Drano, are usually successful.

Getting out the scuffs

“Wall scuffs can be a simple fix, depending on the color of the walls,” Lomauro says. “For all colors I always recommend using a washable flat paint. Most paint companies now offer that as an option. Flat paint is typically an easy touch-up, since there is no sheen, and spot touch-ups are so easy with a small foam roller. For white walls, I’ve had great success with scuff sponges, like the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. This only works if you have white walls; otherwise the paint touch-up is the only way to go.”

Resealing a driveway

You may not always think of it, but our driveways, like many other things around the house, need to be maintained. Resealing an asphalt driveway not only improves its overall look but also its longevity. Concrete driveways also need some upkeep.

Sealing an asphalt driveway is not difficult, but it can be messy. It should be done when there is no chance of rain.

The first thing you need to do is clean off your driveway. This can be done with a push broom or with a pressure washer. Once it is clean and dry, fill any cracks or pockets in the asphalt with filler. Driveway filler can be purchased at your local hardware store, and a variety of textures are available, depending on the texture of your driveway.

With the imperfections now fixed, you are ready for the sealant. Apply the sealer with a long-handled paint roller exactly the same way you would roll paint on a wall. Make sure to read the directions on the can of sealant to see how long you must leave it to dry before you begin driving on it.

For a concrete driveway, the cleaning steps are the same as for asphalt. To fill cracks, use a textured caulk, pourable grout or a sealant made specially for concrete. Follow directions on the product. If concrete is installed properly, sealing should not be necessary. If concrete does not repel water properly, you can apply a concrete sealant to the entire surface.

Neutral Sophistication

A neutral living room was given a striking edge with sophisticated hues of gold and brown. The vaulted ceilings are the most eye-catching element of the room with double crown molding and an umber-toned accent wall. Simple beige walls allow the gold accompaniments and brown accents to stand out. Design by Rate My Space user Liv By Design Interiors.

Soft gray walls warm up the crisp, white sofa and white fixtures in this chic home office space. RMS user centsationalgirl added a subtle splash of color with light blue metallic accent pillows and turquoise more knick knacks. A deeper gray rug with an icy blue flower pattern, continue the room's color scheme on the floor.

RMS user artelfin created a feminine and posh space by integrating red-violet tones with sterling silver accessories. The white sofa pops against the rich magenta walls and accent pillows. Periwinkle carpet  moretones down the bold color of the room, while still maintaining that lovely pink-purple hue.

An olive green accent wall paired with an aubergine duvet creates a relaxing tone, perfect for a bedroom environment. Seal brown hardwood floors and furnishings deliver wintertime warmth. Design by Andreas Charalambous.

Nothing says warmth more than rich, chocolate brown tones mixed with gray, aubergine and pumpkin orange. Designer Andreas Charalambous added lights behind the wall to illuminate the room with a soft, intimate glow, allowing the orange accent wall to stand out among the deeper elements of the space.

Black, white and silver combine to create an ultra-modern dining room. Aluminum-gray walls and silver window treatments visually expand the space, while crisp, white furnishings add an unexpected pop when paired with black accessories. Design by Erinn Valencich.

A color palette of charcoal gray and aubergine in the living room carries into the kitchen and other adjacent rooms for a uniform and balanced look. Designer Gregory Augustine says, "the reflective hues of the surrounding city buildings at dusk were inspiration for the color palette."

Designer Judith Balis combined various hues of tan and brown with soothing gold and copper accents throughout this modern bedroom retreat. A rich, chocolate brown accent wall complements the shimmery gold duvet and accent pillows for an ultra-relaxing feel.

Designer Joseph Pubillones combined shades of aubergine and lilac with russet-colored draperies and deep brown furniture for an ideal color pairing. Crisp, white bedding brightens the space, while still pulling in the room's brown tones with the ribbon trim.

A fresh combination of white, black, gray and metallic silver creatively installed this modern masterpiece. Floor-length metallic silver window treatments add a subtle glow next to soft, gray walls and white furnishings. Faux wheat grass planters bring in a deep green hue for an added touch of color to a simple palette. Design by RMS user silversun84.

Designer Joseph Pubillones paired bold, navy walls with neutral accessories, fixtures and flooring to keep the space open and inviting. A beige sofa, white lanterns and rustic wood furnishings stand out in this wintry, yet ocean-inspired room.

This catch-all style borrows from several other design styles and evokes a sense of imagination and surprise with unexpected contrasts. The style is not simply throwing together everything and anything, but rather relies heavily on the building blocks of design (color, pattern, texture, composition) to make the space look cohesive. A multitude of fabrics is characteristic, whether patterned, textured, solids or all three. Design by Andreea Avram Rusu.

A feminine look, with lush rose patterns, extensive uses of greens, reds, pinks and blues are characteristic of an English Country home. Ornamental, fine carved wood furniture, overstuffed sofas with tufting and skirted furniture mix with antiques and lots of small decorative accessories. Design by Phyllis Harbinger.

A look originating in the '50s and '60s and epitomized by the Rat-Pack days in Palm Springs. Scandinavian designers and architects were very influential at this time, with a style characterized by simplicity, functionality and natural shapes. Architecture shows off its minimalist design with walls of glass. Pops of deep colors such as orange, yellow, olive green and chocolate brown add to decor. An updated version of this look is found at stores like Jonathan Adler, marked by fun, colorful and quirky furnishings.

A heavily layered look consisting of intricately patterned fabrics, colorful mosaics, metal lanterns, textured walls, bold, jewel-toned colors, layers of Oriental rugs and pillows in luxurious fabrics and ornately-carved wooden accents. Design by David Bromstad.

The transitional look bridges contemporary and traditional design. Offering a deep rooted sense of history in some pieces, while furniture often gets an update with cleaner lines. Leather ottomans used as coffee tables is very popular in this decor. Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn could be considered transitional looks. Design by Tracy Morris.

A look inspired by beaches of Hawaii, French Polynesia or other tropical destinations. Thatched furniture, heavy prints of palm leaves and bright colored flowers find their way onto upholstery. Muted colored rugs or sisal and seagrass carpets cover the floor. Design by Linda Woodrum.

Raw, rough hewn woods, inviting fabrics or cozy plaids play up the Western look. Worn leathers mixed with stone hearths or walls and other natural elements. Furniture is usually large scaled and wooden. Design by Shelly Riehl David.