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Tackling Simpler Home Repairs With Ease

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Real Estate Agent

 It’s raining here in Greater Sacramento today, and I’m really glad to see it!  It’s been an exceptionally dry winter, and I’m hoping the rains forecast to last for the next several days, will alleviate some of our concerns for water storage.

Yesterday, while I was deep cleaning my landscape and fertilizing the plants before the rains arrived, I noticed neighbors doing last minute outside work, while they could.

My neighbors know I'm handy around the house.  I have accomplished a number of diverse tasks around my home, such as wallpapering, installing wainscot paneling, replaced wax rings to a leaky toilet.  I have repaired sprinkler systems, and replaced a roof turban attic fan.  

The hardest part of replacing the roof turban fan was the distraction of neighbors on my driveway, who thought I was likely too fragile (and possibly old) to be up on a roof.

It isn’t uncommon for other gals living nearby to approach me about how to fix certain things around their homes.  Yesterday was one of those times.  Mary had a clogged drain.  I walked into my garage and noticed I was out of Liquid Plummer, or a similar product, so I walked into the kitchen, grabbed the bottle of vinegar and baking soda, along with the plumber's snake tucked away in the tool shed.  Rather than just fix Mary’s drain, I had her watch what I was doing, to educate her in the process.  After all, she’s a fairly new homeowner, and this will likely happen again in her future. 

Down Mary's bathroom sink I poured several tablespoons of baking soda followed by a cup to a cup and a half of the vinegar.  I waited 15 minutes, before using the snake, and found I didn't need it.  The clog had been bubbled away by the baking soda and vinegar.  So I let the tap run water down the drain for a few minutes.  The concoction is also useful in maintaining the drains, if used once a month or so.

I also suggested that Mary pick up a copy of "Home Maintenance For Dummies."  It’s available at most Lowe’s or Home Depot stores.
Home Maintenance for Dummies

 

There is also a GREAT web resource for those interested in home improvement or home repair jobs.  It is: http://www.dummies.com.  This website has helped me a number of times with little minor repair jobs, which are easy to perform, but would cost dollars, if completed by a handyman.

It is one of the more useful and helpful websites I've come across in a very long time.

Between the above mentioned website and the book, many maintenance issues can be easily tackled around the house.

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Comments(20)

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William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I know a lot of people tht should use the price of the book to hire the help.  The book is just to hard for them to understand.

For those that know what they are doing this is a great time of year.

Mar 13, 2012 09:56 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Hey Myrl, maybe I can borrow that book or pick your brain with some repair work.  :)

Love the post.

Mar 13, 2012 10:04 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

William - Yes, I know a couple of people like that too:-)

Tom - You're such a pro, I doubt I could teach you much of anything!  And there is a lot I won't tackle.  Somethings do take a little more than the book or that special website.  But there is a certain subversive pleasure I get from being able to handle some of the things!

Mar 13, 2012 10:28 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Myrl, I am amazed but not surprised. I rememeber when I was a kid and did the vinegar/baking soda to impress my friends. My mom told me that I figured out here remedy for clogged drains. I think with my dad being so handy and me always wanting to learn gave me a real edge in repairing things. But here is where we have an advantage not related to just home repairs. We are intuitive and find ourselves with many more solutions than there are problems for. Agree
Mar 13, 2012 11:31 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Yes William!  I absolutely do agree!  I'm convinced I have a particular gift for reading the minds of sink drains:-)

Mar 13, 2012 12:18 PM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Myrl...If I had known..I Could have sent your our Rain last weekend...ha. And next time when I need some odd jobs done I'll call....are you available 24/7?

Cheers

Mar 13, 2012 01:26 PM
Barbara Altieri
Better Homes and Gardens RE Shore and Country Properties - Shelton, CT
REALTOR-Fairfield County CT Homes/Condos For Sale

Myrl -- I had to laugh when I read this! Just yesterday I did the baking soda/vinegar concoction on seven drains.  I even bought two huge bottles of vinegar the day earlier in preparation.  I find if I do this regularly, I rarely have any drain problems.  It's a lot cheaper than calling a plumber AND it's all natural.  Don't have to use any of that harsh stuff. You are certainly the go-to gal in your neighborhood. How nice of you to help your neighbors!

Mar 13, 2012 11:43 PM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Myrl, rain is usually a welcome thing!  I am hoping for a rainy weekend this weekend, (instead of the snow that has been forecast).  Most things arounds the house are pretty easy to fix, and it does save a lot of money to do it yourself!

Mar 14, 2012 04:45 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Why don't you plan a visit to Maryland.  A few things need to be fixed at our house.

Thanks for sharing your tips!

Mar 14, 2012 09:58 AM
Kwee Huset
Kwee Huset Realty - Venice, FL
Venice Florida Homes For Sale

Myrl, I admire your creative and can do spirit. It seems like nothing is too difficult for you.

Mar 14, 2012 11:43 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Myrl I would be alarm if I saw you on the roof, then again I have never tried it.   You are the kind of neighbor I need :)

Mar 14, 2012 12:23 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Myrl,

While I do admire you, I am concerned for your safety on the roof. So do be careful. I have a vision of you on the roof and it makes me shiver!

I'll have to get myself a Dummie Book I could sure use it. It's great how supportive women can be of other women. Knowledge has power.

Patricia

Mar 14, 2012 09:00 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Myrl - my mom was a regular Ms. Fix-It and I think i got that from her too. I can just see you on a TV show dressed like Lucy in her fix-it outfit teaching everyone how to fix things.

Mar 15, 2012 01:23 AM
Mary Stewart
HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC, Homes for Everyone - Wilsonville, OR
Wilsonville and Surrounding Portland Metro Areas

Myrl, I simply love it.  I too fix lots of things around the house and I can usually figure things out pretty easily for some reason.  I love using my hands and getting results.  You have me on the roof though, I won't be doing that but I do admire you for it. When I cannot do something, I have my husband do it as he is very handy and likes to repair or change things.  I always have to know though that the cleanup is on me. Lucky don't you think? LOL

Mar 15, 2012 01:56 AM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Myrl, that does sound quite handy and you appear to know what you are doing around the house. :-)  Every homeowner should pick up a few tips on 'do it yourself' because those bills can be costly for the easiest of jobs.

Mar 15, 2012 07:57 AM
Juli Vosmik
Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Myrl, I didn't know there was a "Dummies" book for that AND certainly didn't know there was a website.  This is great information.  Now, do you think men will really READ it?  Sorry guys - but sometimes it does pay off to read. 

Mar 15, 2012 02:51 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

I used to joke about 'Dummies' series that they are for every topic except 'Dummy For Dummies'....lol.

Well, this book is to prove that dummies have ruled the world.

Mar 15, 2012 03:04 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Home improvement projects are a favorite topic of mine. We can do anything we can conceive. I have crawled up on the roof, tied myself to it, and installed 3 skylights. I have put in a fireplace. I have built an entire lower level -- floors, walls, ceilings, HVAC vents and plumbing, electrical, you name it. There is almost nothing a homeowner can't do with a little education and hands-on experience. Yet people look at me in astonishment when I tell them this. They can't imagine me doing it. They wouldn't say this to a guy, some tall guy. But a 5-foot woman, yeah.

Mar 17, 2012 03:22 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

I am not surprised they have such a book.  I occasionally pour that down my drains to keep them clog free. 

Mar 24, 2012 07:01 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

During C-19, my wife has tackled 2 major repairs in our kitchen. How, you ask?

1. She called a repair person. In both cases she was told the first time opening, a repair person could be there was 4 weeks. They wanted  $200 upfront to order parts and cover travel expenses. Minimum charge was estimated at $500.

2. She discovered the University of YouTube. We took the knowledge we obtained and ordered the parts ourselves. For less than $50 we were able to fix both our range and our dishwasher.

I would recommend this to anyone fed up with things not getting fixed. If you feel uncomfortable just wait for the repair person.

Mar 01, 2021 08:22 AM
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