It's Time For Some DIY Home Maintenance!

A gutter guard

Gutter guards block leaves and other debris to keep gutters from getting clogged. That way you don't have to clean out your gutters very often!

Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping helps seal out drafts around doors and windows to lower your utility bills. When used on an old or drafty house they can save you more than 20% on your heating and cooling bills, according to the Department of Energy.

A faucet aerator

A faucet aerator is easy to install and can help reduce your water usage to save on your bills. They help create a non-splashing stream and deliver a mixture of water and air that slows down your water and saves you money.

A paint scraper

A paint scraper is crucial for prepping your house for new paint. Scrape away all flaking paint before priming and painting.

Recycle it at an approved drop-off location

Liquid paint contains solvents that can contaminate groundwater, so take it to an approved collector for proper disposal. You can also add kitty litter and allow it to dry out completely if you prefer to throw it in the trash.

It's the emergency release

The red cord and handle form the manual release that disconnects the garage door from the chain drive so you can open it during a power outage.

Cut the tip at a 45-degree angle

Before using caulk to seal gaps between materials, cut the tip at a 45-degree angle to create a small opening. Cut near the top for a small bead and farther down for a wide bead. Silicone caulk may also require you to poke into the cap with a piece of wire to break the seal.

They could burst and cause flooding

Ice expands, which can force pipes to burst. Keep your thermostat above 55 degrees in winter and add pipe insulation to prevent this.

A sump pump

A sump pump keeps your basement free from flooding by pumping out excess water.

Soak it in vinegar

Clogged shower heads are caused by lime and mineral buildup from hard water. The acid in vinegar breaks down these deposits.

To remove sediment

Draining your hot water tank flushes out sediment and minerals that can cause corrosion over time. Leaving this to build up can end with a clogged drain valve.

No!

Portable generators should be set up at least 15 feet from your home, preferably in a sheltered area. Using one indoors can lead to potentially fatal carbon monoxide build-up. Some exist that are specifically built for indoor usage, but make sure yours is before setting it up this way.

An angled sash brush

An angled sash brush allows you to apply paint to window sashes, wood trim and any place you need to cut in with a straight, controlled line.

All of the above

When lint builds up in the dryer vent, it can cause the dryer to overheat. It's not just inefficient, it's also a fire risk.

A toilet snake

A toilet snake is special tool designed to wind through your toilet's curved drain and bore through clogs so you can flush again.

A wallpaper pasting brush

Use a paste brush to apply adhesive to the wall and/or wallpaper before hanging.

A P-trap

The P-trap is the curved pipe under your sink that keeps sewer gases from coming into your home. You can often fix a clogged sink by removing it for cleaning.

A refrigerator coil cleaning brush

A refrigerator coil cleaning brush removes dust from your condenser coils for a more efficient, longer-lasting appliance.

All of the above

Ice dams form when snow melts and refreezes on your roof. Keeping your roof cold by trapping heat indoors will help prevent them.

Dish soap, baby oil, and a soft cloth

Harsh cleaners and abrasive implements will scratch stainless steel. The best cleaner is a mild dish soap or vinegar applied with a soft cloth. You can also shine your stainless with a bit of olive oil.

A block of cheese

When termites swarm to a new location, they tear off their wings and begin eating through the wood. They also leave behind mud tubes as a highway system. It would be nice if birds could eat them all, but you'll need an exterminator.

Black or Red

The hot wire is black and provides electricity to your fixture. The white wire is neutral and is wired to ground.

Apply a patch

To fix a hole, cut a screen patch that's 1/2-inch bigger than the hole. Bend the mesh at a right angle so it fits through the holes in your screen, then bend the mesh again to pinch the patch in place.

Natural stone like marble and some granite

Some types of granite and most marble should be sealed to prevent staining. Tile itself does not need to be resealed regularly, but its grout benefits from resealing for water resistance. A quick way to test is to pour a small bit of water on your countertop and see how long it takes to absorb.

A toggle bolt

A toggle bolt is used to hang heavy objects on drywall so it doesn't tear out.

1200 psi

Pine decks should be washed at no more than 500 psi to avoid pitting. Hardwood decks can be washed at 1000 psi, but no wood would ever need anything more than 1,200 psi. That would do damage.

Furnace

Three of the biggest sources of a house's carbon monoxide are the furnace, the dryer vent, or the fireplace.

Joint compound

Joint compound is used to fill small holes in drywall or blend a drywall patch into the wall for a seamless look. You cover a self-adhesive mesh patch with the compound.

Counterclockwise

Fans run counterclockwise for cooling and clockwise for warming based on the angles of their blades.

Furnace filters

The minimum efficiency reporting value scale goes from 1-16, and most residential air filters are in the 4-12 range.