If you live in a home long enough something will inevitably need to be repaired. Some issues may require the expertise of a professional, others you may be able to handle yourself—so long as you’re equipped with the right info. Check out these four home how-tos so you can handle things around the house.
How to Turn Off the Water
In the event of a water emergency, or if you plan to go out of town for a while, it’s good to be able to identify and manipulate the main water shut-off valve. Some valves have round wheel handles, while the handles on others may be lever-style. To shut off a water valve with a wheel-style handle turn it to the right, or clockwise. If you have a lever-style handle give it a one-quarter turn so that it’s perpendicular, instead of parallel, to the water pipe.
How to Fix a Running Toilet
The sound of a toilet that won’t stop running can be annoying, not to mention costly. You may be able to fix the problem by replacing the flapper inside of the tank.
First, open the tank, reach inside, and push down on the flapper. If the water stops running it indicates that the flapper has lost its seal. Turn off the water supply valve that’s beneath the toilet and flush the toilet to empty the remaining water in the tank. Remove the flapper and replace it with a new one that you have verified (at the hardware store) is the proper size. Install the new flapper according to its instructions, and be sure to adjust the chain that connects the flapper and the flusher so that the flapper sits flat without much slack in the chain.
How to Silence Squeaky Door Hinges (Without Using WD-40)
The squeal of hinges on doors inside of your home can be quite annoying, especially early in the morning when you don’t want to wake your significant other. But you don’t need WD-40 for this fix. The solution is right inside of your pantry.
Moisten a paper towel with a couple of tablespoons of vegetable, olive, coconut, peanut, or Canola oil. Using the towel, rub the oil onto the hinges—both the inner and outer portions. Open and close your door to work the oil into the joints, and check for noise. If any squeaking persists lubricate the hinges again until the noise ceases. Don’t have cooking oil? No problem. Rubbing petroleum jelly onto the hinges can also do the trick.
How to Unclog a Drain (Without Using Chemicals)
First, try plunging your clogged drain. If the clog does not clear pour a cup of baking soda down the drain and chase it with one cup of white vinegar. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes, then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain.
If these steps don’t clear the clog they have at least helped loosen it for the next step, which is to use a drain snake to manually remove the clog. A snake is a rigid metal wire you position down the drain.
(If you choose to use chemicals follow the product instructions).
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