25 Home Repairs You Can Do Yourself

 

At some point in your lifetime, you’re likely going to need some type of home repair.

Your go-to reaction may be to hire someone else to take care of the repair for you.

That can make even a seemingly simple repair far more expensive than it needs to be.

You could save a good amount of money by doing the repair yourself.

That said, there are some repairs that should be done by professionals, so knowing which ones you can handle is essential.

 

25 Home Repairs You Can Do Yourself

 

1. Install Drywall

 

When you’re remodeling a room, one of the first things you may need to do is install new drywall.

You might discover that some of your existing drywall has either become moldy or damaged.

Replacing drywall may seem difficult, but it’s actually something you can do yourself.

Cutting drywall is a bit more advanced, so you’re going to need to install drywall that is already cut into panels.

To install drywall, you simply screw it into place with some drywall screws.

You need to screw the drywall into the posts of the wall.

It’s always best to start at the center, then work your way out.

After you finish hanging drywall, you can then paint it.

Knowing how to install your own drywall can save you a good amount of money.

 

2. Replacing Outlets And Light Switches

 

Another home repair you can do at home is replacing outlets and light switches.

When it comes to maintaining your electrical wiring and electrical system, you usually need a license or certificate.

Because of how dangerous it can be to tamper with electricity, inexperienced people are typically deterred from doing electric work on their own.

That said, homeowners can still take care of simple electrical problems.

Two of those problems include replacing old outlets and light switches.

You may never need to replace an outlet or light switch, but sometimes something can happen that requires them to need a replacement.

For example, if the wall becomes moldy, then the mold might spread to the outlet as well.

An electrical surge might also fry an outlet.

Replacing an outlet or light switch is relatively easy.

First, you’ll want to turn off the electricity in your home via the circuit breaker.

Then you can safely remove the outlet or light switch.

It’s worth taking a picture of where the wires connect to the outlet, so you can have it for reference.

Otherwise, you simply connect the wires to the new outlet, then screw it in with the appropriate screws.

Put the face plate back on, and you have a brand-new outlet.

Replacing outlets and light switches is an easy home repair you can do alone.

 

3. Putting Down Plank Flooring

 

You may have noticed that some of your flooring is in need of repair.

Hiring someone to fix your floor can be quite expensive.

Thankfully, there’s a chance you can do your own home repair if you plan to install plank flooring.

Plank and vinyl flooring are two of the easiest types of flooring to install.

That’s because vinyl flooring fits together like puzzle pieces.

You just need to lay it down, lock it into place with the other vinyl pieces, then secure it.

Some types of flooring don’t even require nails or screws.

These options some form of adhesive on the bottom or rely on the rest of the flooring pieces to lock them into place.

As such, installing vinyl flooring and plank flooring is quite easy.

It may take you a few tries to get the hang of it, but before you know it, you’ll be replacing the old floor with ease.

You can install new panel flooring at home on your own.

 

4. Cracked Driveways

 

Another problem you might have noticed at home is your driveway.

If there are a series of holes or cracks in your asphalt driveway, then you may think you need to hire someone to fix it.

That isn’t always the case.

You can actually repair your cracked driveway on your own.

All you need is some sealant and possibly a cold-patch blacktop filler.

The state of your driveway largely determines the materials that you’ll need.

If the crack is small, then you’ll really only need some sealant to fill in the cracks.

There’s no shortage of different sealants that can get the job done.

Before you start filling the cracks, however, you’ll want to clean up the area.

You’ll also want to chip away any damaged portions near and inside the cracks to smooth the surface.

Once that’s done, then you can pour the sealant into the crack.

Once it’s cured, your driveway will look brand new.

For wider cracks, you may need to add some sort of filler before you seal them.

If so, then you’ll also want to clean the area, chip away any uneven spots, then smooth the filler and sealant over the crack.

You can always chisel away abnormalities later.

For big potholes, you’ll need cold-patch blacktop.

You’ll also need some scrap plywood to give the repair reinforcement.

Then you can seal it as you would normally.

Although it takes some work, you can fix driveway cracks at home on your own.

 

5. Wall Heater Installation

 

Another home repair you can do on your own is the installation of a wall heater.

If you live in a cold climate, then your normal furnace may not be enough to get the job done.

There’s even a chance that you have a room that doesn’t connect to the furnace.

As such, you might be thinking of installing a wall heater.

The great thing about wall heaters is that they’re relatively easy to install.

Some counties do require you to have an electrician do the wiring, so it’s worth checking to see if you have to hire someone before starting your installation.

Otherwise, to install your wall heater, you just need to cut a hole in your wall big enough to fit the heater.

Some heaters don’t need to sit inside the wall, but you can save on space if you do recess them.

Installing the heater is as simple as attaching it to a stud in the wall, then connecting the wires.

You’ll have a toasty room in no time.

If a room isn’t warm enough, then you can install a wall heater on your own to make it warmer.

 

6. Hanging Doors

 

Doors can become outdated with time.

Some can also become damaged or grow moldy.

Others might start to warp with age or due to water exposure.

Whatever the reason, you might eventually need to replace a door in your home.

Your go-to decision might be to hire someone to replace it, but you can actually replace a door on your own.

Interior doors are arguably easier to install than exterior doors.

That’s because they don’t require the level of weatherstripping that exterior doors do.

As such, you should stick with hanging interior doors on your own rather than exterior doors.

 

7. Replacing Gutters

 

Replacing your gutters is another important home repair you can do yourself.

Gutters play an important role in protecting your home.

They keep water from dripping near your foundation.

They can prevent erosion and foundational cracks.

The problem with gutters is that they break over time.

Birds tend to make nests in them, squirrels run along them, and even tree branches can fall on them.

You’ll want to measure the gutter piece you need removed, then buy the appropriate size.

As long as you’re okay with heights, you can climb a ladder, pop in the new gutter piece, then call it a day.

Replacing your gutter is an easy home repair you can do on your own.

 

8. Fixing Fences

 

If you have a fence that winds around your property, then you’ll inevitably need to repair at least a portion of it at some point.

Fences are great for adding privacy to your home and keeping unwanted guests, such as deer, from munching on your lawn.

Depending on the fence that you have, repairing them is easy, too.

Some fences are made of panels.

You simply need to remove a section, then replace it with another section.

Others require a bit more work.

The hardest part is drilling in new fence post holes, but you can make that job easier by renting an auger.

Once the holes are in place, you just need to put the new posts in, then install the fence pieces where needed.

If your fence needs repair, then there’s a good chance you can do it yourself.

 

9. Replace Toilets

 

Toilets can last for a long time, but there may come a time when you need to replace them.

The style may no longer go with the rest of the bathroom or there might be a leak.

Whatever the reason, you don’t necessarily have to call the plumber.

You can replace a toilet yourself.

The hardest part is removing the toilet from the bathroom.

It’s heavy, and it can make a mess.

Once you get it out of the house, however, you can bring the new toilet in.

Installing the new toilet is a simple matter of adhering it to the hole and attaching the plumbing to it.

Afterward, you’ll have a brand-new toilet that you installed yourself.

 

10. Rebuff Hardwood Floors

 

If you have hardwood floors in your home, then you know how important it is to keep them in good shape.

You also know how difficult it is to keep them in good shape.

That said, when your hardwood floors start to look lackluster, you may feel the need to call in a professional.

That isn’t always necessary.

A good sanding and buffing may be all your hardwood floor needs.

The great thing about this particular repair is that it’s easy.

All you need to do is rent a buffer from your local hardware store.

Then you can simply buff the floors and get them looking brand new.

You can also rent a sander if it requires sanding.

You can rebuff your hardwood floors on your own.

 

11. Remove Dead Patches In Your Lawn

 

One problem you might have with your lawn is dead patches.

Some parts of your lawn may look great.

Other parts may have brown patches or even bald spots.

You might feel the need to bring in a professional landscaper, but that isn’t always necessary.

You can usually take care of patchy lawns on your own.

All you need is to run over the area with some grass seed and fertilizer.

If you want to dig deeper into the root of the problem, then you can always buy a soil tester.

This will give you an idea of your soil’s pH level.

It may indicate that your soil is too acidic or basic for grass to grow.

You can then buy the appropriate neutralizer to treat the soil.

With a bit of care, you can take care of patchy lawns yourself.

 

12. Garbage Disposal Replacement

 

Garbage disposals can help protect your plumbing system.

They can grind larger pieces of food and other food debris into smaller pieces.

Those smaller pieces have an easier time floating through the pipes to the sewer.

The unfortunate thing about garbage disposals is that they’re also prone to breaking.

All it takes is one bad food item to break the disposal.

Instead of calling someone to replace your disposal, you can do it yourself.

You just need to unplug the disposal, then undo the attachments that keep it in place.

Most garbage disposals come with installation manuals, so you can easily follow the manual to install the new one.

While replacing your garbage disposal may seem complex, it’s actually a repair you can do yourself.

 

13. Remove Dishwasher Odors

 

A problem you might experience with your dishwasher is odors.

After a while, it might start to become smelly.

You may dread having to run the dishwasher because of the smell.

The good news is that you don’t need to hire anyone to take care of the smell.

Your dishwasher just needs a good cleaning.

You can remove parts of your dishwasher to gain access to the part that filters food debris.

Washing it out can remove that smell.

Cleaning out your dishwasher and removing the unpleasant smell is something you can do on your own.

 

14. Replace Cupboards Or Cupboard Doors

 

When cupboards no longer match the rest of the kitchen, it’s time to replace them.

Some cupboards might also become damaged.

Instead of hiring someone, you can do this job yourself.

It’s as simple as unscrewing the current cupboards, then screwing in the new cupboards.

Because cupboards can be heavy, this will likely be a two-person project, at least.

You can save a lot of money by simply replacing your cupboards or cupboard doors yourself.

 

15. Replace Lightbulbs

 

It doesn’t take a qualified professional to replace a lightbulb.

As long as you have standard lightbulbs in your home, then you can also take care of this repair yourself.

Hold onto the old lightbulb to ensure you know what to replace it with.

Then turn off the light, put in the new lightbulb, and you have a brand-new light to brighten your room.

 

16. Stop Wobbly Showerheads

 

When taking a shower, you might notice that your showerhead is wobbling.

It might make showering difficult, and you may even be concerned about the wobbling of the showerhead.

Fixing it is easy and doesn’t require external help.

All you need to do is spray some foam that will wrap around the showerhead and keep it in place.

The showerhead will stop wobbling, and you can shave down the foam to make it more aesthetically appealing.

 

17. Circuit Breaker Shortage

 

At some point, you may have a problem with your circuit breaker.

Something might be causing a short or the breaker, itself, might need replacing.

If it’s the former problem, then you can determine what’s causing the circuit to break.

You can also flip the circuit to restore power.

Sometimes a circuit might need replacement.

That’s an easy fix as well since you just need to buy another circuit and replace it.

However, if it seems like many breakers in your breaker box may be malfunctioning, then it’s time to call a professional.

Otherwise, if there’s a short or broken circuit, then you can usually repair it on your own.

 

18. Replace Weatherstripping

 

Weatherstripping is an important part of keeping your home insulated.

It creates a barrier that keeps cold or hot air from entering your home.

With time, weatherstripping can degrade.

The great thing about weatherstripping is that you can replace it on your own.

You can either peel or cut weatherstripping away.

Then you just need to apply new weatherstripping to the door or window.

Some types are self-adhesive while others require you to use a sealant or some other adhesive.

Installing it correctly is a simple matter of following instructions.

Giving your home more insulation is something you can do on your own.

 

19. Replace Insulation

 

You may also come to find that you need to replace certain parts of your insulation.

If water gets to your interior walls, it can make your insulation moldy.

Some insulation around your windows and doors might degrade over time.

You can easily replace insulation on your own.

You can choose to buy foam insulation or liquid insulation that turns into foam.

Both are useful for different areas and needs.

As long as you follow the proper safety protocols, replacing insulation is safe and easy.

 

20. Remove Opening Wallpaper Seams

 

If you have wallpaper in your home, then you might have a problem with opening seams.

Over time, the adhesive keeping the wallpaper connected to the wall can break down.

This can cause seams to appear.

Luckily, you can fix opening wallpaper seams yourself.

All you need to do is reapply the adhesive to the seam.

That might require you to open the seam a bit wider.

Then all you need to do is press the wallpaper back against the wall and let the adhesive do its work.

 

21. Replace The HVAC Filter

 

One of the most important ways to maintain your HVAC is by replacing the filter.

That’s something you can do on your own.

While most HVAC companies include it in their regular maintenance services, you can save money on those services by replacing the filter yourself.

All you need to do is locate your filter, take it out, buy one just like it, then insert it where you found the old one.

It’s as simple as that.

Replacing your filter can ensure your HVAC system continues to run efficiently.

 

22. Replace Deck Boards

 

Another area you may need to repair is your deck.

Over time, the boards of your deck will start to deteriorate.

They might start to bend or become cracked.

Replacing deck boards is easy.

You need to unscrew them, measure them, then find the same board at the hardware store.

You can cut the board to the right size easily, and if you don’t have the proper tools, you can rent them.

Then simply screw the board back into place.

You can replace deck boards by yourself.

 

23. Repair Holes And Cracks In Drywall

 

Drywall is delicate.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to scratch, dent, or put a hole in it.

As such, you might find yourself needing to repair a hole or crack.

You don’t need to hire anyone to do this for you.

All it takes is either a sealant, some drywall plaster, or some fresh drywall.

If the hole is small, then you can use the sealant.

If it’s a big hole, then you might need to use plaster to fill in the gap.

If most of the panel is damaged, then it’s time to replace it with a new one.

All these repairs can be done by yourself.

 

24. Repaint A Room

 

You may have noticed that the paint in a room is starting to fade.

You can easily repair this on your own.

All it takes is a trip to the hardware store to buy some fresh paint and some rollers.

While professionals can handle the job for you, it’s also something you can do yourself.

You’ll want to clean the walls first, then you can start taping areas like corners and the ceiling.

Once the room is ready, you can repaint the walls and get them looking brand new.

 

25. Replace Siding

 

A final repair you can do yourself is replacing the siding on your home.

Siding is basically made up of a bunch of waterproof panels.

You simply need to remove the nails or screws attaching the siding to the building.

Then you can easily re-nail or re-screw the new siding panel in its place.

Siding panels can be quite long, so you may need another person to help you.

However, replacing siding is something you can do yourself.