Easy DIY Repairs for Rental Properties

December 3, 2019 admin

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Unclogging Drains

Whether in your kitchen or bathroom, clogged drains can not only be a disruption to your day, but they can also cause quite a mess. It is wise to work to prevent clogs before they happen. Using drain strainers in your kitchen and bathroom sinks can help to prevent clogs. If you do happen to develop a clog, use the appropriately shaped and sized plunger. When used correctly, plungers can clear over 90% of kitchen and bathroom sink clogs. Dome-shaped plungers are designed for kitchen and bathroom sinks, while the larger bell-shaped are great for blasting toilet clogs.

Switch Your Shower Head

Shower heads have come a long way from the ones that seem to offer nothing more than a trickle. One way to provide a spa-like experience is by switching out your shower head. There are so many different models to choose from, with many of them offering low flow options to reduce your water consumption. Whether you go for a rain shower, handheld version, or one with 20 different settings, just make sure to bring it with you when you move!

Hanging Heavy Items Such as Curtains

Textiles and textures can bring in a sense of warmth and coziness, which are important aspects to consider as the temperature and snow begins to fall. By checking your lease, you will be able to see what steps you can take to make your space cozy. If your lease allows for the hanging of curtains, you will want to do it the correct way. This is to minimize any potential damage to the walls or windows. Removable adhesive hooks can allow you to hang curtains with minimal damage to you walls, not to mention security deposit! Tension rods are another way to quickly add warmth to your space, both literally and figuratively. Certain curtains can work to keep the heat in, while keeping the cool chill of winter where it belongs.

Patching Holes in Walls

Some leases may indicate that you are not permitted to put holes in the wall. Be it push pins, nails, or screws, these can all damage your rental home. However, the damage can be minimal as long as you take a few steps prior to vacating your home. If the holes are from small push pins or nails, cover them up with a bit of spackling to fill the hole. Then, follow up with a bit of sandpaper to smooth any rough areas.

Fixing a Toilet

While many people would classify fixing a toilet as a detested chore, it is one that most of us will have to experience at some point in our lives. Using the right size and shape of plunger will help to remove any blockages in the line. However, you may need to do more than push a plunger a few times to fix other toilet issues. Depending on the problem, swift action and repair can help to prevent further issues from developing. Overflowing toilets can lead to damaged floors and can also be a health issue. Adjusting the float valve is one example of an easy fix that can prevent headaches down the line.

Conclusion

Regardless of the age of your home, maintenance issues will likely pop up, often and the most inopportune time. As such, it makes knowing how to complete simple repairs yourself is a necessary skill to possess. Although renters can let their landlord or property manager know about these issues, it may not be necessary. Consult your lease to see what steps renters can take to complete simple DIY repairs, and what other repairs will require notifying the landlord. Having a property management team, such as the folks over at The Property Manager, care for your rental properties can make rental property easier to manage, for both tenants and property owners alike.