10 Easy Home Repairs

In tough economic times, it is especially important to save money wherever possible. Here are 10 do-it-yourself home repair tips to help you make your home more energy-efficient and to prevent larger, expensive problems later on.

1. Fix a loose door hinge. If the door is shaky, the hinge screws may be stripped. Spend a few dollars on a "stripped screw-hole repair kit." Put the metal mesh in the hole, then insert a longer screw.You could save big bucks on new hardware, weather-stripping, and even a new door frame later on.
    
2. Replace the central air/heat filter. Make sure the filter is the correct size for the unit and that it isn't clogged with dust. Regularly changing or cleaning the filter allows the unit to heat and cool your home more efficiently.
    
3. Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Identify electrical outlets near kitchen or bathroom sinks and replace them with GFCIs to protect you and your family members from possible electrical shocks.
    
4. Replace an old showerhead with a new energy-saving, low-flow one. Showers account for 17% of indoor household water use. A new showerhead is good for both the environment and your water bills.
    
5. Replace fence boards. Missing or damaged boards can weaken a fence -- and your relationship with your neighbors. Check the entire fence and note how many new boards you'll need, as well as the height and width fo each. When you buy the boards, also get a box of galvanized screws, which won't rust.
    
6. Adjust the water-heater temperature to 120 degrees F. You'll save money and still be able to clean your clothes and dishes and bathe without scalding yourself.
    
7. Insulate the water heater with a water-heater blanket to save year-round on your water bill. The blankets come precut. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully, especially for a gas heater.
    
8. Clean gutters and downspouts twice a year or more, depending on the number of trees on or near your property, to prevent interior water damage. Then install a downspout extender (usually under $10 a unit) on every downspout to help keep the water coming out of the gutter system away from your house.
    
9. Replace damaged splash blocks. Each splash block should slope and lie perpendicular to the house, so that water is forced away from the house. Choose plastic over concrete, because it is lightweight and nonporous.
    
10. Replace traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient ones, called compact flourescent lighting. They're more expensive but can last up to 10 times longer than conventional bulbs. If you replace five light bulbs with CFLs, you could save up to $60 a year.

More DIY home repairs that can save you money:

• If your washing machine is taking a long time to fill, the reason is probably clogged inlet screens. These tiny screens are at the back of the machine, where the water hoses attach. They keep dirt and particles from entering the machine.
  
  1. Unplug the appliance and shut off the water at the water-supply valves, located behind the washer.
  2. Remove the hot and cold water hoses on the machine end and place them in a bucket to prevent water spilling. 
  3. Use the pointed tip of a fingernail file to remove both screens.
  4. Replace with new inlet screens, connect the hoses, turn on the water-supply valves and plug in the appliance.
   
• If you've confused the dish detergent with the dishwasher cleanser and your kitchen is filled with bubbles, all you need is some shortening.
  
  1. Remove the dishes from the dishwasher along with as much of the bubbles as you can.
  2. Put 2 to 3 tablespoons of solid shortening in the bottom of the machine -- below the dish rack -- and turn it on for one complete cycle.
  3. Then add dishwasher detergent (without the dishes) and run another complete cycle.
   
• If your stove's grease filter sounds like it's choking, it probably is. This filter protects the motor fan by collecting dirt, dust, and grease. If it has never been cleaned, it's clogged -- and there may be dirt and grease on the motor fan too. (Note: some stoves and hood-mounted microwaves have two filters.)
  
  1. To clean, remove the filter and either soak it in soapy water or wash it in the dishwasher.
  2. Let it dry completely before putting it back under the hood.