Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.
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As a busy mum, you may not have all the time in the world to dedicate to DIY, and there’s no shame in that, but it is still a good idea to know how to do a few basic things around the house to save you time, money and stress…
How to reset a tripped fuse box
Having to do without electricity for any prolonged period of time is seriously no fun, which is why you should absolutely know how to reset your fuse box, should it for any reason be tripped. Luckily doing so is pretty easy.
To reset your fuse box, turn off your appliances, head to the fuse box, and take a look at the switches. If they’re working, they should all be set to on. Don’t know which direction is on? Usually, it will be the direction most of the switched are facing. If one of them isn’t on, pretty much all you have to do is flip it in the other direction, and power should be restored.
How to fix a squeaky door
Doors can be tricky things, which is why you should leave stuff like dealing with a tiff lock to the professional like VicLocks, but there are some things you can do yourself, and fixing a squeaky door is one of them. Squeaky hinges can drive you seriously mad, especially if the kids are always running in and out from one room to another, so knowing how to fix a squeaky hinge on your door can be really good for your sanity.
Again, it’s really easy to do this. Simply spray a small amount of WD-40 directly onto the squeaky hinge while moving the door slowly backward and forwards. Don’t have any WD-40? No problem, try a bit of Vaseline instead.
How to turn off the water
Knowing how to turn off the water can help you to protect your family and tour home in an emergency. In order to do so, you need to know where your stopcock is located. This is something you should go and find out now just in case you should ever need it.
When you have a leak and you need to act fast, simply find the stopcock – it could have a wheel or handle – and if it’s a wheel, turn it clockwise. If you have a lever style stopcock, turning it clockwise for a quarter turn should do the trick. This is something you can practice right now if you want to be prepared – just remember to turn it back on again when you’re done.
How to unclog a drain
Clogged drains can cause an awful smell, but more importantly, they can stop you from draining what needs to be drained effectively. The easiest way to deal with this is to buy a simple drain snake tool, which is inserted into the plughole. Different brands work in different ways, so simply follow the instructions and feel the relief of clear drains once more.
How to unclog a toilet
The toilet is similarly easy to unclog providing it is a simple blockage you’re dealing with. Simply insert a plunger into the bowl and press up and down to create and release suction, This should get things moving once again, If that doesn’t work, unfortunately, you may need to call a plumber.
How to paint
As a mum, you’ll probably do a lot of painting, tidying up the parts of your home the kids have inevitably destroyed, so it’s important to know how to do it well.
To improve your paint skills, make sure you choose the optimum paint for the job, clean the surface that is due to be painted, add a coat of primer and then very carefully get to work using a clean brush or roller.
When it comes to cutting in, start by painting roughly ½ an inch away from the trim, and when that’s dried, make a second sweep going right up to the trim. You’re less likely to make mistakes by doing it this way, even if it seems like more of a pain, so it is worth taking your time with it.
Now that you know how to handle these basic home maintenance tasks, you’ll be able to tackle far more of the problems you face in your home without outside intervention, or spending a lot of money. If you teach your kids to help you deal with some of the (safer) tasks, that will make life even easier for you still.
Your post is so helpful and informative. Thank you for sharing!