Buying a home is one of the most expensive purchases in your life. It doesn’t matter if you’ve purchased or rented it, you will want to take good care of your home as that’s the place where you spend at least a third of your life in. In many situations, when something breaks, calling a repairman is the right thing to do. However, in some cases of repairs, you can easily take care of things yourself. Make sure to have the correct tools, and in some cases parts, and you’re good to go.

Fixing a broken toilet lever

One of the easiest fixes you can readily do yourself. If the toilet is not getting flushed, then you can open the tank and replace the chain. But in some cases, the handle itself becomes corroded, and some of the pieces that connect the handle to the flapper can break. These parts can be replaced pretty cheaply, and all you’d need is an adjustable wrench. And if the lever is broken, a replacement toilet lever kit.

Replace a light switch or light source

Messing with electricity is never recommended if you’re not a professional; the risk of death and injury is high. However light switches are easily replaced, and that goes for the light source too. If the switch is not working, the first and most important thing to do is turn off the circuit breaker – electricity is dangerous so take all necessary precautions. Next, remove the switch using a screwdriver. You’ll see two wires connected to the switch, and you must ensure that there is no current flowing through them. Disconnect the wires from the old switch and connect them to the new one, and afterwards reattach everything the way it was. For this, you’d need a flathead screwdriver, a Philips head screwdriver, and a replacement switch.

If the light source isn’t working properly, then simply get some lamp spares, and replace them as they previously were.

Unclog a toilet drain

You don’t always need to call a plumber to deal with toilet clogs. Often, what you need is the correct type of plunger. The most common error most people make is not distinguishing between a kitchen and a toilet plunger. So, once you have the toilet plunger, submerge it in the water in the bowl. If there’s not enough water, make sure to pour enough so that the head of the plunger is submerged. After that, give it good 8-10 thrusts, and if the clog is minor, the water should flow more freely. If you’re dealing with a larger clog, you might need an auger. They’re generally costlier than a typical plunger, but they’re worth the cost. Place the other end of the auger into the toilet such that the end reaches the clog and is able to turn on the crank. If you’ve got a good grip, then it should unclog rather easily.

Home maintenance and upkeep is an important part of owning a home, and unless you’re certain you can do it yourself, don’t tinker around with things you don’t understand.