"Learn Home Maintenance and Repair" to save

[eleny]

I was trying to think of how to write about encouraging able bodied people to do their own repairs around the house. We're installing two upper and two lower kitchen cabinets ourselves. Last night, hubby bought a hammer drill for the job since the walls are cinderblock around here. Even with the new tool and other hardware we need for the job, we're saving money by installing the cabinets ourselves.

Just for grins I opened Pat Varetto's page on frugal living at About.com and she has an article on saving by doing houseld repairs ourselves. It's an article geared to the beginner. So she gives a suggested list of tools for the novice interested in trying things on their own. Click here for her article. It's the second link underneath the one on saving money on gasoline.

[phantom power]

1. I had a cousin of mine teach me how to solder a pipe.

I was astonished at how easy it is. You can save tons of money by learning a few basic plumbing skills. Same for electric work.

[eleny]

2. Plumbing is very pricey

And it's nice to learn from someone instead of a book when you can.

Today we picked up a counter topping for the 2 new kitchen cabinets we got off the shelf at Lowe's. Gluing the laminate counter top to the cabinets is no big shakes nor is screwing the cabinet to the wall to stabilize it. We're saving a lot doing this ourselves and my kitchen is transforming without a major investment. With all we're doing I can afford the fridge of my dreams. :D

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Not all plumbing is easy

most general repairs I have been doing for years, but when they needed to change my bathtub (which that just finished being done) let me tell you I had to hire experts...

Now the plumbing knowledge did help grant you... the guy at Lowes was trying hard to sell me the most expensive tub he could... and I went no, that is what I need and that is what we are taking.

Hey I even learned how they are connected... I ended up helping the plumber... nice mid age lady, with bad knees, that could do that.. surprised the living daylights of the plumber.

Now the expense of doing that (and the wall) oh boy...

But changing seals, unclogging drains, I figure I have saved close to 10K over the years doing it... last time I needed to do that, my dad (who is 81) was damn surprised when he said, I'll call the plumber, and I went, nope you won't... as I took out my wrench and my snake and got to work...

[I_Make_Mistakes]

4. Hey Nadine. I took my toilet off (using google on how to) to lay

vinyl sheeting. I was going to hire a plumber to put it back on (2nd floor condo, and conscious on leaks). It is going to take 3 -4 weeks to get it done, so I was thinking about doing it myself, if I was on the 1st floor and affecting no one else, it would not even be a question.

Have you ever done it? If so, how hard is it? From what I remember, it is only putting that goop to seal the hole between the floor and the toilet, replacing the water supply, attaching the toilet to the floor and the refill tank to the toilet. It really doesn't feel like rocket science.

[eleny]

5. It's not hard at all

You can get a ready made wax seal for the toilet at the hardware store. And these days, they have the water lines that are flexible. They make it all so much easier.

We get tree roots in our sewer lines. Every once in a while, hubby can't get them all without taking the toilet off and going in through that line with the auger machine.

The trouble with dealing with the toilet is that it's a heavy bulky contraption. If you can handle its heft, you can do this. Check out your library for a home fix it book. It's sure to have some pictures for you.

Here are some sites with instructions to help you decide:
http://www.toiletology.com/wax-ring.shtml
http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/changingtoiletsealvar.htm
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/ba_toilets_tubs_showers/article/0,2037,DIY_13715_2268514,00.html

[I_Make_Mistakes]

6. Thanks, I just needed encouragement. i thought today, just put

towels down, if there is a leak, it will be handled. Tomorrow night I think Home Depot is having a 2 1/2 hr For Her (Kitchen makeover class!), I will go a little early and ask about the seal, etc.

[bluedonkey]

7. I've been doing

my own repairs for years and have the tools to prove it.I have relaced toilet floats,wax seals,window panes,doors and door locks,installed screendoors,closed in the porch,build a dog fence attached to the porch,replaced a ceiling(with my sons help),installed tile floor in my kitchen and getting ready to install tiles on my kitchen counter.I also do my own paintingThanks to the internets I'm getting better everytime.

I just bought a chainsaw to cut up my fig tree Rita took down.This is going to be hard,I loved that tree.
The only thing I'm afraid to touch is anything involving electricity,but I desperatly need to rewire the house.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

8. BD I am that afraid to handle a non human operated saw or saw

like object. I did buy a drill set with a battery operated circuler saw, I have looked at it, but I am not ready to operate it yet.

Good luck with the chain saw, if you don't mind, I'd like to say a prayer for you!

[NMDemDist2]

9. we do an awful lot of our own maintenance and upgrades

before I got married in my old house in CA i did all the finish plumbing in the bathroom once the contractor had replaced the wall board and fixed the tub, I painted, wallpapered, laid a new floor, installed the cabinet and sink and faucet and the tub faucets and shower

i didn't have many tools either, did most of it with a butter knife and a wooden high heeled shoe :rofl:

well let's just say I started that way, invested in a "girly tool kit" that gave me the basics

when hubby appeared on the scene, we have built new wooden double gates, converted the garage back from a (badly) converted music room to a garage, replaced all the plumbing under the kitchen sink, laid vinyl in the dining room and rebuilt 20 feet of wood fence along the property line then we moved to a newer house in AZ

here all we've had to do so far is, replace greenboard and re-install tile in the master shower up two feet (it's harder to -re-install than to do a new install, believe me) painted the kitchen, dining room and living room, built a 10x10 sun shade over the patio, replaced the kitchen faucet and fixed a bad leak in the dishwasher water supply line.

This weekend we're installing a new kitchen sink and faucet and I can't wait :bounce:

see my frugal find here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=287&topic_id=1311&mesg_id=1311

it's easier than you think, just take your time and read up about the job on the internet, if you're not confident, call a handyman

[ThoughtCriminal]

10. Need help for Manufactured Home

We bought a 1988 manufactured home and frankly, I could use some resources. Much of my already limited home repair knowledge does not necessarily apply to this type of structure and parts have also been more difficult to find.

I think there is a huge niche here. There are few books or even web sites and as far as I can determine no magazines dedicated to owners of manufactured homes. I'd especially like to see decorating and upgrade articles.

Here is one the sites I've found:
http://www.mobilehomerepair.com/

[NMDemDist2]

11. i can't help, but I think you're right about the "big niche" thing n/t