Introduction
Home repairs can feel like a constant drain on your budget, but some of the smartest fixes are also the simplest. Attack the right problems and you’ll cut utility bills, prevent bigger damage, and avoid service calls. This article highlights five straightforward DIY repairs that pay you back quickly.
No specialized skills are required—just patience, basic tools, and careful attention to instructions.
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1. Stop a Running Toilet
A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water per day. Fortunately, the fix is often inexpensive and quick.
Step-by-step
1. **Remove the tank lid**
Gently set it aside to avoid cracks.
2. **Identify the problem**
Common issues:
- Flapper not sealing properly.
- Float set too high so water overflows into the overflow tube.
- Fill valve not shutting off.
3. **Adjust the float**
- For float arms: bend the metal arm slightly downward to lower the water level.
- For float cups: use the adjustment screw or clip to lower the cup.
4. **Inspect and replace the flapper if needed**
Turn off the toilet’s shutoff valve. Drain most of the water by flushing. Unhook the flapper, take it to the store for a match, and clip in the new one.
5. **Test for leaks**
Turn the water back on, let the tank fill, and listen. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank—if color appears in the bowl without flushing, the flapper still isn’t sealing.
**Money saver:** A flapper replacement often costs under $10 and can cut your water bill noticeably.
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2. Replace HVAC Filters on Schedule
Clogged air filters make your heating and cooling system work harder, using more energy and wearing parts out faster.
Step-by-step
1. **Locate your filter**
It’s usually in the return air grille or in the furnace/air handler.
2. **Check filter size and rating**
Note the size printed on the frame and the MERV rating (filtration level). Choose a replacement with similar or slightly higher rating, unless your system manual says otherwise.
3. **Turn off the system**
Switch off at the thermostat or the main switch near the unit.
4. **Replace the filter**
Slide out the old filter, noting the airflow arrow direction. Insert the new filter with arrows pointing in the same direction.
5. **Set reminders**
Mark the installation date on the filter edge and set a phone reminder every 1–3 months depending on dust, pets, and usage.
**Money saver:** A clean filter improves efficiency and can extend the life of costly HVAC components.
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3. Seal Air Leaks Around Doors
Small gaps around exterior doors let conditioned air escape and outdoor air enter, raising heating and cooling costs.
Step-by-step
1. **Inspect in daylight**
Stand inside during daytime—if you see light around the edges of a closed door, you’re losing air.
2. **Check the existing weatherstripping**
Look for crushed, cracked, or missing sections.
3. **Measure and remove old material**
Peel or pry off worn strips. Measure door jamb lengths so you buy the right amount.
4. **Install new weatherstripping**
For self-adhesive foam or rubber:
- Start at the top and run continuously down both sides.
- Press firmly; corners should meet tightly without gaps.
5. **Add or adjust the door sweep**
At the bottom of the door, install or reposition the sweep so it barely touches the threshold, sealing out drafts without dragging hard.
**Money saver:** Properly weatherstripped doors can reduce energy waste, especially in older homes.
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4. Insulate Exposed Hot Water Pipes
Uninsulated hot water pipes lose heat as water travels, meaning you run faucets longer waiting for hot water.
Step-by-step
1. **Identify target pipes**
Focus on the first 6–10 feet of hot water lines leaving the water heater, plus any long runs to distant bathrooms.
2. **Measure pipe diameter and length**
This ensures you buy the right size foam pipe insulation.
3. **Cut insulation to length**
Use a utility knife to cut pieces to match straight sections and around elbows.
4. **Install the insulation**
Open the slit in the foam and snap it over the pipe. For self-sealing types, press edges together; otherwise, use tape or zip ties.
5. **Secure and check for gaps**
Tape seams and joints where sections meet. Avoid covering valves that may need future access.
**Money saver:** Hot water arrives faster, you waste less water, and the water heater works less to maintain temperature.
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5. Swap Halogen or Incandescent Bulbs for LEDs
Lighting is a simple place to trim your electric bill while reducing heat buildup in your home.
Step-by-step
1. **Take inventory of high-use lights**
Focus on kitchen, living room, exterior, and hallway fixtures used several hours a day.
2. **Check bulb type and base**
Note wattage, shape (A19, BR30, etc.), and base style (usually E26 screw-in).
3. **Choose LED replacements**
Look for:
- "Soft white" (2700–3000K) for warm, cozy rooms.
- "Daylight" (5000K) for workspaces.
- Equivalent brightness (lumens) to your old bulbs.
4. **Turn off power and replace bulbs**
Let hot bulbs cool. Unscrew old ones and install LEDs.
5. **Label or note replacement date**
LEDs last years, but noting when you installed them helps track performance.
**Money saver:** LEDs use up to 80% less energy and last much longer, reducing both energy and replacement costs.
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Building a Money-Saving Maintenance Habit
These five home repairs—fixing a running toilet, changing HVAC filters, sealing doors, insulating hot water pipes, and upgrading to LEDs—directly cut your monthly bills.
Create a simple checklist and review it each season. A few hours of DIY effort now can prevent major expenses later and keep more money in your pocket long term.