5 Home Repairs I Finally Learned To Do Myself (And Saved $500)

I used to call someone for every little thing that broke.

Leaky faucet? Call a plumber. Hole in the wall? Call a handyman. Clogged drain? Call someone. Every repair cost $100 minimum.

Then I realized most “repairs” are actually pretty simple. I learned how to do five basic fixes myself.

I saved over $500 this year alone.

Here is what I learned.

Fix Number 1: Caulking Bathrooms And Kitchens

Old caulk gets gross. Moldy. Cracked. Makes the whole bathroom look dirty.

I used to pay someone $150 to recaulk. Now I do it myself in 20 minutes.

Get a caulk gun and silicone caulk. Cut off old caulk with a utility knife. Apply new bead. Smooth with wet finger. Done.

Houston humidity makes caulk deteriorate fast. Checking it twice a year saves major water damage later.

This one skill has saved me at least $300 in handyman calls.

Fix Number 2: Patching Holes In Drywall

Kids slam doors. Pictures fall. Accidents happen. Holes happen.

A wall repair kit costs $15. Fill hole. Smooth. Let dry. Sand. Touch up with paint.

Handyman would charge $100+. I do it for $15 and 30 minutes.

Related to home organization. Fix small problems before they become big ones.

I keep the repair kit and matching paint in my garage. When a hole appears, I fix it that weekend. No waiting. No letting it get worse.

Fix Number 3: Unclogging Drains

Houston hair and soap buildup clogs drains fast. Especially in the shower.

A drain snake costs $10. Plumber charges $150.

Push snake down drain. Pull out hair. Rinse. Done. Takes 5 minutes.

I do this monthly now as prevention. Haven not called a plumber in 2 years.

This one tool has paid for itself 20 times over.

Fix Number 4: Weatherstripping Doors

Houston AC bills are brutal. Gaps around doors let cool air escape.

Weatherstripping is adhesive foam. Stick it around door frame. Cuts drafts. Lowers energy bills.

Cost: $12. Savings: $20 to $30 per month on AC.

I did this on every exterior door in my house. Took one Saturday afternoon. My AC does not run as much now.

Same as when I fixed my budget. Small changes add up to big savings.

Fix Number 5: Protecting Floors From Furniture

Moved a chair once and gouged my wood floor. Deep scratch. Would cost hundreds to refinish.

Now everything has felt pads underneath. Chairs. Tables. Everything.

Prevents scratches. Furniture slides easier. Costs $8.

I went through my whole house in one afternoon and put felt pads on everything with legs. My floors look brand new still.

The Basic Tool Kit Every Homeowner Needs

You do not need a huge workshop. You need a basic tool set that handles 90 percent of home repairs.

Get a basic tool set. Hammer. Screwdrivers. Pliers. Wrench. Tape measure. Level.

Keep a flashlight or headlamp for working in dark spaces. Under sinks. Behind appliances. In closets.

Wear work gloves to protect your hands. Blisters and cuts make simple repairs miserable.

Initial investment: $100. Saves thousands over time.

I keep my tool kit in the garage. Everything in one box. When something breaks, I grab the box and get to work.

How I Learned These Skills

YouTube. Seriously.

Every single repair I learned came from a YouTube tutorial. Search “how to caulk a bathtub” or “how to patch drywall.” Watch three videos. Pick the method that looks easiest.

Then just try it. You will mess up the first time. That is okay. It still costs less than hiring someone.

By the second or third time, you will be confident.

Same as when I learned a new skill at 35. Start messy. Get better. Repeat.

What I Still Call Professionals For

Electrical work. I do not mess with electricity. One mistake can burn your house down or kill you. Not worth the risk.

Plumbing beyond clogs. Replacing a faucet? Sure. Repiping the house? Call a plumber.

Anything structural. Walls, foundation, roof. These are not DIY projects.

AC and furnace repairs. Houston summers are too hot to risk breaking my AC worse.

Know your limits. Some things are worth paying a professional.

What I Stopped Doing

Calling someone for every tiny thing. If the repair costs less than $200 to hire out, I at least try it myself first.

Being scared to try. The worst that happens is I mess it up and have to call someone anyway. But most of the time, it works.

Buying cheap tools. Cheap tools break and make the job harder. Buy decent quality once. It lasts.

Skipping safety gear. Gloves and safety glasses are not optional. Injuries turn a 10-minute fix into an ER visit.

The Real Win

Learning basic repairs gave me confidence. I am not helpless anymore when something breaks.

Plus I save money that goes toward actual goals instead of service calls.

When my toilet started running constantly, I fixed it myself with a $12 flapper kit and a YouTube video. Plumber would have charged $150.

When a drawer pull broke, I replaced it myself. $3 hardware. Two minutes. Done.

These small wins add up. Over a year, I saved over $500. That paid for a weekend trip with my family.

Same strategy as cutting my grocery bill. Small consistent actions create big results.

Start with one skill. Watch a YouTube video. Try it. Most home repairs are easier than you think.

You do not need to become a handyman. You just need to handle the basics.

Your wallet will thank you. And you will feel capable instead of helpless.

That confidence? Worth more than the money saved.

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