5 DIY Home Repairs You Can Do During the Quarantine

There is a certain sense of accomplishment that comes with completing e a DIY home project. Since you've probably been seeing a little more of your own four walls lately, no is a great time to take advantage of that feeling. Because these are new and unprecedented times, there are a few basic considerations you should take into account before you get started. 

Take time to find out what construction trades are and aren't allowed to operate where you live. If you get in over your head, you may not be able to call in a professional for help. It is a good idea to do an honest assessment of your DIY skills before you pick a project to tackle to avoid the need altogether. These suggestions can help you get some ideas to spruce up your home and make it more comfortable for the quarantine no matter what DIY skill level you're at.  

Install a Ceiling Fan

While you may want to upgrade your home from a fuse box to circuit breakers, small electrical projects can also make a big difference. One of the easiest ones you can take on is to install a ceiling fan in place of an existing light fixture. Why install a ceiling fan? For starters, they can help you feel more comfortable, circulate fresh air through the house and lower your overall energy costs. Always be sure to cut power to the existing fixture before you start work.

Repair Damaged Walls

A little bit of sparkling paste and a putty knife can go a long way to smoothing out nail holes and small cracks that appear on your walls. If you are planning to repaint any of your rooms, then this is an absolute must first step. Even if you aren't repainting, though, patching holes and touching up the surrounding area can give rooms a finished and clean look. 

Seal Windows and Doors

Windows and doors can be major sources of drafts in homes, especially older ones. It only takes a few minutes and some basic tools to stop most of those drafts. Gather a caulking gun, some silicone caulk and a wet rag for starters. Run a bead of caulk around the trim in any problem areas. Run a wet finger gently along the bead to smooth it out (hence the rag). Larger gaps can be filled in with a can of spray foam. Be sure to buy the minimally-expanding type that is specifically designed to go around windows and doors. It won't put undue pressure on jambs that could interfere with their operation.  As an added bonus, sealing gaps will also help keep a few insects or spiders outside where they belong. 

Replace Leaky Faucets

Leaky faucets are more than an annoyance, they waste natural resources and your hard-earned money. Solve the problem by replacing them with new, low-flow fixtures. Plumbing repairs like these are generally straightforward and only require basic tools like a wrench and some Teflon tape, so they are a good place to start out as a new DIY home repair specialist. Remember to turn the water supply off and drain water from the pipes before you remove the old faucet to avoid water damage. 

Clean Your Gutters

If you didn't take the time to clean out your gutters last fall, or if the trees around your home dropped a lot of pollen and flowers this spring, there is no time like the present to tackle this simple project. Practice general ladder safety by having a family member support the bottom. You can also use one of the cleverly designed tools that let you reach gutters from the ground. Clean gutters mean rainwater can run into downspouts and away from the foundation so you don't end up with a wet basement. 

When you are trying to decide what DIY projects to undertake, stick with ones you can handle with only household members to avoid bringing contractors into your home during the quarantine. Even small home improvement projects can have a big impact on the appearance and function of a house.