PICTURE: PEXELS
Every household has minor crises that disrupt your day but don’t quite warrant hiring a handyman.
A toilet that refuses to flush. a plug that consistently slips out of the socket, for example. The fundamentals don’t require you to be an expert do-it-yourselfer. All you need are the appropriate resources, a little perseverance, and the courage to try.
You’ll save a lot of time (and a few Ramaphosa’s rands) if you know these easy fixes:
Replacing outlets
According to Bobvilla, replace outlets by turning off the electricity and using a voltage tester to make sure no electricity is passing through them.
Using a caulk gun
For weatherproofing exteriors or filling gaps indoors, use a caulk gun at a 45-degree angle to improve sealant control and slow caulk flow, the above source also adds.
A clogged Toilet
How Stuff Works states that toilet clogs can be stressful, but they can be fixed with a little detective work. Particularly in homes with small children, look for any foreign objects in the bowl. Pour water into the bowl, wait for the water to drop, and fish out objects while wearing gloves. Use flanged or accordion plungers if plungers are ineffective; before plunging, make sure the suction cup is submerged in water. If needed, fill the bowl with water.
Squeaking doors
The above source claims that oxidation can cause hinges to become noisy. Oil the hinges, cover the space beneath the door, and work the oil into the moving parts to silence them. Apply additional drops if the squeak continues. If oiling isn’t successful, use steel wool to scrub the hinge pins and clean the pinholes on a shim underneath the door; the above-mentioned website further adds.
