DIY home repairs and safety in the home

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DIY home repairs have to be done occasionally to maintain your home. More serious problems may require calling out a professional but minor repairs have to be carried out periodically and is part of house maintenance. Being conscientious about maintaining your home stops small problems becoming big problems which are expensive and time-consuming to fix. Home maintenance is also important to keep your home safe. For instance smoke detectors are cheap and easy to install but can save lives. You should have one smoke detector on each floor in a hall or landing. Check the battery regularly - a smoke detector with a dead battery is not going to help anyone. More on home improvement.

DIY home repairs - Before dealing with any electrical problems make sure you know where the mains are, and if necessary, switch them off. The main fuse board is usually located under the stairs - see DIY electrical for more information. Light bulbs tend to need replacing on a regular basis. Energy saving bulbs need replacing less often and conserve energy but are more expensive. Make sure the electricity supply to the appliance turned off before replacing the light bulb. Sometimes it is helpful to take the old one with you when buying a new one to make sure you get the correct wattage and fitting (screw or bayonet fitting). Keeping spares is usually wise.

DIY Home Repair - If an electrical appliance stops working it may be the fuse in the plug which needs replacing. When replacing a fuse, replace it with one of the same amp requirements. Most plugs use 13 amp fuses, but you will need to check first. If several electrical appliances stop working at once you may have tripped the fuse board. Check to see whether one of the switches is down on the main fuse board and push it up to connect that particular electrical circuit again.

DIY plumbing repairs that need carrying out are usually fixing leaking taps or faucets, or unclogging drains or toilets. The most common DIY home repairs problem with a faucet or tap leaking can usually be sorted out by replacing the washer or O ring. First turn off the water supply at the mains. The main stopcock will either be in the kitchen, the hall, the basement or outside to the front of the house. Put the plug in to avoid losing small parts. If the tap drips from the spout, even when turned off, then remove the tap casing and then unscrew the head nut. Underneath is the washer which may need replacing. If the faucet drips from its base, then you will need to replace the washer under the seat. Keep a plumber's phone number to hand just in case!

DIY home repairs - To clear blocked drainage first try with a plunger. These are a u-shaped piece of rubber attached to a wooden handle. Place the rubber end against the mouth of the drain, whether in a sink, bath or toilet, to create a seal and then pump the handle up and down. If this doesn't work, then try using a drain cleaner designed to shift blockages such as caustic soda.

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