Home Maintenance for Less

Following are five ways to save on home repairs: 1) Visit your library. Libraries have tons of books on DIY repairs. Stop here first before you spend at the bookstore or on a contractor. 2) Reuse, recycle. Rebuilding centers sell materials salvaged from other buildings. Shopping at your local center will save money and add character. 3) Money saving energy savers. It’s worth the extra cash upfront to buy energy efficient appliances. In the long run, you’ll save. 4) Visit youtube.com. Search for tutorials on the problem you’re trying to fix. Many experts offer step-by-step videos for free. 5) Ask a friend. We all have a friend with the “handy gene.” Ask for their help in exchange for a home-cooked meal.

Always keep a roll of duct tape in your toolbox. It can temporarily stop a leaking pipe, repair a chair rip, and even keep a cabinet door from falling off, at least for a few hours. This can save you the additional fees charged by the plumber when they have to visit at 3:00 a.m.

Properly maintain your wood decks by cleaning and resealing them every few years, depending upon how much exposure to the elements they get. It only costs about $25 for a can of deck sealant, but the replacement costs for a deck can run in the thousands.

Paper products can be a big expense, so instead of using up a roll of paper towels to clean your windows, try yesterday's newspaper. You won't end up with lint on the glass, and you'll find you have less streaks.

Instead of purchasing expensive stain removers, use dishwashing liquid to remove food, grease and oil stains from clothing. Just apply the dishwashing liquid to the stain, agitate, and let it sit until you do the wash. Then reapply, agitate some more, put the garment in the washing machine and launder as usual. The stain should be gone.

Periodically check the integrity of the shingles and flashing on your roof to make sure there are no leaks. Leaks left unchecked can cost thousands of dollars to repair, due to damaged rake board, roof decking, dry wall, and structural repairs. While an asphalt shingle roof normally lasts 15 to 20 years if properly maintained, small repairs to these can be done yourself for $50 in materials.

If you're going to do-it-yourself, rent the tools you'll need instead of buying them. Today you can rent anything from a floor sander to a sand sifter at your local hardware store.

Save money on high-priced cleaners by cutting an old Polartec뿯½ jacket into 20-inch squares. Next, soak the Polartec is a mixture of white vinegar and water, and start cleaning. Polartec is abrasive and can clean mildew, windows, countertops, and just about anything else that needs a good scrubbing.

Instead of installing an expensive home security system, go low tech and save money. Motion detector-operated exterior lights, deadbolts on the doors, and lights set to a timer are just as effective and a lot less expensive.

Several big-box home-supply chains offer free classes in minor home repairs, with class dates listed online, in-store, or on advertisements. Learn how to install a new faucet or set floor tiles yourself and save money on hiring a contractor.

In order to avoid huge septic system repair bills, flush a package of powdered yeast down the toilet once a month.Yeast is a living organism that breaks down the solids in the septic system, which keeps your system running trouble free longer.

In order to keep your water heater operating longer, test the temperature pressure relief valve once a year, and drain any sediment at the bottom of the tank twice a year. These two maintenance chores won't cost you a dime, and will help prolong the life of your water heater, which can be very expensive to replace.

If the grout in your bath is looking a little dingy, clean it with an old toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. Toothpaste is a mild abrasive which can be used to remove stains from grout, as well as stains on Formica countertops.

Purchasing new kitchen cabinets can be extremely costly. Instead of replacing your outdated, wood-stained kitchen cabinets, give them a new look with some bright-colored acrylic paints.

Cleaning your gutters and downspouts twice a year, during late spring and late fall, can save you thousands on repair bills. Proper maintenance and cleaning may prevent flood or leak damage to your home's interior, as well as wood damage to shingles.

If you notice any cracks in your shower caulk, be sure to recaulk as soon as possible, by purchasing a $3 tube of caulk. If you don't, you could end up with ruined tiles and mold caused by moisture getting behind the tile, which can be very costly to fix.

If the job is too big for you to do yourself, you may need to hire a contractor. Never select a contractor from the phone book — you don't know who will show up. Always ask friends and family for referrals and interview in person before you hire.

For an inexpensive, non-toxic ant repellant, dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of 20-Mule Team™ Borax, a laundry aid found in the cleaning or laundry section of most supermarkets, in hot water and combine it with 2 teaspoons of sugar. Next mix it with 16 oz. of water in a spray bottle, and apply it like a pesticide, wherever you see ants.

In order to avoid replacing expensive appliances, like your air conditioner or your furnace, be sure to you change the filters on them every one to three months, depending on how heavily you use them. Filters cost between $1 and $15, and the more expensive ones can be changed less frequently. This regular maintenance keeps your unit operating more efficiently and prevents the need to replace these costly appliances.