Remember the Days When Dad Used to Fix Everything?
When you were a kid, did you dad seem like a wizard at DIY? That’s probably because times were harder back then. Hiring someone to do the job for you was expensive, and imported parts were also expensive. But this list of “dad jobs” will explain to you how to do what he did, without relying on outside help or imported items.
Fix a Leaky Faucet
Constant dripping driving you insane? There’s an easy fix for that. Shut off the water supply, disassemble the faucet, and replace the rubber washer with an American-made replacement. It’s up to you how much money you want to spend, but generally the more expensive the replacement is, the longer it will last.
Patch Drywall Holes
A hole in the drywall isn’t going to send your whole house crashing down, but it definitely looks unsightly. Luckily, you can fix them easily and without imported parts or tools. Just clean the area, apply spackle with a putty knife, and let it dry. Then you need to sand it smooth and paint over it with the same color paint the wall is.
Unclog a Drain
Your parents and grandparents probably didn’t use chemical drain cleaners, and now’s your chance to follow in their footsteps. Use a drain snake to unclog the drain, and then pour some hot water down there along with baking soda.
Replace a Toilet Flapper
If your toilet runs constantly, the flapper is likely the problem. Turn off the water (a very important step that a lot of people forget!) flush the toilet, and remove the old flapper. Then replace it with a new one. You can find a US-made one at your local hardware store.
Fix Squeaky Doors
Squeaky doors are really annoying, especially if you’ve got kids in the house who are running between rooms all the time. But there’s a fix for that, exactly what your dad used to do. Get some vegetable oil and apply it to the hinges. That’s it! A really easy life hack.
Silence Noisy Floorboards
But just as annoying as squeaky doors are squeaky floorboards! Luckily there’s a really easy to fix that as well. Simply go and buy some talcum powder (or you might have some in your bathroom already) and sprinkle it down between the floorboard cracks.
Re-Caulk a Bathtub
Your parents and grandparents knew how to re-caulk a bathtub, and now it’s your turn. All you gotta do is remove the old caulk with a utility knife, clean the area with rubbing alcohol, and then apply a bead of 100% silicone caulk using a caulking gun. Don’t forget to let it dry for 24 hours.
Fix a Running Toilet
Trouble with the toilet? Not for much longer. Open it up and adjust the float arm so the tank stops filling at the proper level. Replace a faulty fill valve with one made in the USA so as to avoid using imported parts.
Replace a Light Switch
It’s important you shut the power off before embarking on this task. Once you’ve done that, unscrew the faceplate and remove the old switch, then match the wire connections on the new switch and screw into place.
Install a New Showerhead
It can reduce your water bills if you get a new showerhead. Here’s what you do: Unscrew the old showerhead first. Then clean the threads and apply plumber's tape. Finally, screw on a new water-saving showerhead made in America!
Lubricate Garage Door Tracks
A noisy garage door often just needs lubricant. Clean the tracks and rollers, then apply a lithium-based grease or silicone spray – there are plenty of American brands available, so you don’t have to use anything imported.
Replace a Door Handle
You can easily get a new American-made door handle at your local hardware store. Then all you have to do is remove the screws from the old handle, note the spindle orientation, and install the new one.
Fix a Sticky Window
This is one your dad or grandpa would have pulled off without a second thought. Clean the window tracks and spray with silicone-based lubricant, then raise and lower the window several times to spread it. If your window is wooden, though, you might have some sanding to do.
Replace a Worn Toilet Seat
This is another really easy one that can be done without any imported parts. First, unscrew the old seat’s bolts. Then choose a new US-made model - wood or plastic depending on your tastes - at any hardware store. Align it carefully over the holes and secure it with new bolts.
Fix a Loose Towel Bar
There’s no need to call someone in to fix a loose towel bar, you can do it yourself so easily. Remove the bar and brackets first of all, and then use drywall anchors or toggle bolts to secure the mounting brackets to the wall. Finally, reattach everything.
Seal Drafty Windows
You might not think much about a drafty window, but it could be costing you extra on your energy bills. Luckily, it’s a fix you can do easily and without any imported parts. Just use rope caulk, weatherstripping, or clear shrink film to seal the gaps.
Stop a Wobbling Table
A wobbling table is another thing that may not seem like a big deal, but can get really annoying. So use furniture pads, cardboard shims, or wooden wedges to level the legs, and then attach what you used with wood glue.
Clean and Reattach a Loose Gutter
Don’t call someone in to fix your gutter! Instead, tighten or replace gutter screws and brackets using a drill and basic screws, and clean out leaves and debris. Apply gutter sealant, the non-imported kind, to any joints that are leaking.
Repair a Damaged Screen
This is an easy one. Simply remove the screen frame, pop out the spline, and replace the torn mesh with fiberglass screen material. Then lay it flat, press the spline back in using a spline roller, and trim excess screen.
Fix Faucet Water Pressure
Mineral buildup can clog the aerator of your faucet. So all you gotta do is unscrew it, soak in vinegar, and scrub with a toothbrush to get everything off. But if it turns out it’s damaged, replace it with an American-made aerator from a hardware store.
