One of the major perks of being a renter is that you’re not responsible for major home repairs or replacing broken appliances; your property manager is. But let’s face it: Things in your apartment are bound to act up, even if it’s a new building. And when it comes to the little things, it can be a good idea to try to fix them yourself first. It can take a maintenance team a while to work on smaller items, and you might just be able to do it yourself. Here are top DIY tips for maintaining your apartment.
Squeaky Doors or Hinges
To stop squeaky doors or hinges from being so noisy, try oiling them, suggests Kevin Pleasants, DIY expert and operations manager at Handy, a site that lets users book professional cleaners and handymen. Head to the hardware store to pick up products that will solve this problem. WD-40 is perfect for this. But if you don’t have those chemicals on hand, you can try using dry hand soap or paraffin wax. Here are his directions for using those products: “Use a hammer and nail to tap out the pins from the hinge,” he says. “Next, give them a thorough clean with a damp cloth, and then rub the whole pin with your chosen lubricant. Then just slip them back into the hinge and your problem is solved.”
Blocked Pipes
If your drains are draining slowly or clogged, first try manually removing whatever objects (like hair) might be blocking them. If that doesn’t work, you can try pouring boiling water slowly down the drain to see if that dislodges whatever is causing the blockage. Some Drano or another similar product can also help with stubborn drains.
[tweetthis]Have a stubborn drain? Try pouring boiling water down to dissolve any debris or build up. #diytips[/tweetthis]
Air Conditioner Maintenance
“Ensure that the screen around the air conditioner is free from debris, which will allow air to flow easily,” says Pleasants. “This might not sound like it would have such a big impact, but it will stop the unit using unnecessary power, which will in turn stop the internal parts from wearing out as quickly.”
Try cleaning the screen with a wet rag to remove dust particles or anything else that might interfere with the air coming through.
Fridge Maintenance
“If your fridge isn’t cooling properly, more often than not it will be a problem with the coils,” says Pleasants. The fridge’s coils are probably just dirty. To fix this, you’ll want to clean the coils. Here’s how: Turn off the fridge and unplug it. You’ll want to remove the kick or trim panel, which is usually located on the very bottom of the fridge just above the floor, and either vacuum it with a special attachment or use a coil brush to clean it. Lastly, wipe away any dust with a damp cloth. This will help your fridge cool more efficiently and last longer too.
Fill In Nail Holes
If you’ve moved recently or have hung up a new photo and noticed nail holes, patching them is a simple fix. Head to the hardware store for spackle or putty. Use your finger to spread the substance and then use a flat surface like a gift or credit card to smooth it over, suggests Katrina Langer, a content writer at Buildium, a company that makes software for property managers.
Fix a Smelly Kitchen
If your kitchen reeks, there are two likely culprits: the fridge or garbage disposal. Here’s what you should do with the fridge: “Throw out old food, disinfect the drawers and shelves, and open up a new box of baking soda to hide in the back,” says Langer.
When it comes to the disposal, first remove anything in its path with your hands while it’s off. Then throw a lemon down the disposal and wait until the disposal has cleared it. That should take care of any unpleasant odors.
Drafty Windows or Doors
This is a tip for the cooler months: Sometimes you’ll want to check the seals on your windows to prevent cold air from seeping into your apartment. “Consider purchasing adhesive foam weather strips to fill any gaps,” says Langer. “This doesn’t prohibit the window from opening or risk mistakenly sealing it, but it offers a temporary solution until your [property manager] is able to fix the draft or update the windows.”
This also can help you save money on your energy bill.
Do you have any other quick fix tips? Share with us in the comments below!