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Frugal Home Repairs

frugal home repairs These frugal home repairs show you how to save money with quick and easy home repair and home maintenance.


Your home is one of the biggest investments you have. It can also be the one thing that eats up your money.






To help you be more frugal when it comes to your home, we have prepared a variety of things you can do to prevent big repair bills, as well as quick and easy home repair fixes.

Quick and easy frugal home repairs and preventive maintenance ideas
will continually be added, so be sure to check back often!

Frugal Home Maintenance - How to Prevent Big Repair Bills

  • Replace Furnace/Air Conditioner Filter
    Make sure the filter is the correct size for your unit. Check to be sure it is not clogged with dust. Change the filter monthly or as indicated on the filter directions. Regular changing the filter will make you furnace/airconditioner run more efficiently. more


  • Clean Gutters and Downspouts
    Depending on the number of trees on or near your property, clean your gutters and downspouts twice or more each year. Clogged gutters and/or downspouts can cause interior water damage. Add or check downspout extenders to keep water away from your home. more


  • Stove Maintenance
    Cleaning grease filters on your stove exhaust hood will make it run quieter and more efficiently. These filters protect the exhaust fan motor. To clean these filters, remove them from the hood and soak in soapy water or wash in the dishwasher. After the filter is completely dry, put the filter back into the hood. Never use the hood without a filter.


  • Water Heater
    Drain water from your water heater to remove sediment from the bottom of the water heater. Place a bucket under the spigot located at the botton of the water heater. Drain about 2 gallons from the water heater and discard. Removing sediment may prolong the life of your water heater and help it run more efficiently. This should be done on a yearly basis.


  • Attic Fan
    Remove leaves and other debris from and around your attic fan. Clean the blades and lubricate the motor and pully. Check the drive belt for tears and tension. This maintenance will help your attic fan run more efficiently and prolong the lifetime of the motor. This should be done at least once a year


  • Windows
    Check the weep holes located at the bottom of windows for blockage. Remove dirt and debris from weep holes. Blocked weep holes can cause interior water damage.


  • Exterior Water Faucets
    When seasons change to temperatures below freezing, turn off water to outside faucets. After the water is turned off, drain the water line by opening the faucet and let the water out. If exterior faucets are not drained, they may freeze causing damage to plumbing and possible flooding. more


  • Septic Tank
    Periodically check the level of sludge in your septic tank. When the tank appears 1/2 to 3/4 full, call a professional to clean out your septic tank. Postponing having your septic tank cleaned out can cause serious damage to your septic system.


  • Driveway Cracks
    On a yearly basis, check your asphalt driveway for cracks. Cracks that are 1/2 inch in width or less can easily be filled. Use a sealcoat to seal the driveway after cracks have been filled. If cracks continue to widen, this will cause structural damage to the driveway. Now you will have an expensive fix to do. more


    • Quick and Easy Frugal Home Repairs

  • Fix Loose Door Hinge
    If you have a door that is shaky or doesn't close properly, the screws that hold the hinge on may be stripped, To fix this, remove the hinge and put metal mesh or toothpicks in the holes. Then use longer screws (3") to re-install the hinge. By fixing the alignment of your door, you save money on heating, air conditioning bills and the future need of a new door frame. more


  • Replace Fence Boards
    Check your fence for damaged or missing fence slats. Measure the width and length of the fence slats. Purchase pressure treated wood based on your measurements. Use galvanized screws (won't rust) to attach new fence slats. Damaged or missing fence slats can weaken your fence resulting in a more expensive fix.


  • Washing Machine Fills Slowly
    If your washing machine is taking a long time to fill, the inlet screens may be clogged. The inlet screens keep dirt and particles from entering the washer. These screens are located at the back of the machine where the water hoses are attached. To replace these screens, unplug the washer and shut-off the water using the water supply valves located behind the washer. Then remove both the hot and cold water hoses from the washer and place them in a bucket to prevent water spilling. Use a metal pointed fingernail file to remove screens in the hot and cold hoses. Replace these removed screens with new inlet screens, then reconnect hoses, turn the water back on and plug in the washer.


  • Dishwasher Making Bubbles
    As a result of using the wrong detergent, your dishwasher is spilling out bubbles. Open the dishwasher and remove the dishes and as many bubbles as you can. Then put 2 to 3 tablespoons of solid shortening in the bottom of the dishwasher below the dish rack. Add dishwasher detergent and run the dishwasher. To completely clean dishwasher, run another cycle using dishwasher detergent with it empty. Now you can add dishes and use. Be sure to only use dishwasher detergent.


  • Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
    To protect you and your family from possible electrical shock, change electrical outlets near kitchen, bathroom or other water sources sinks with GFCI outlets. more


    • Resources

    Cleaned Organized Family Home Top Tips for Home Maintenance & Repair. You know what they say about that ounce of prevention. If you ignore the advice and overlook home maintenance, the pound of cure can set you back big time.

    Home Remodeling for Beginners and a Reference for the Rest of Us Home remodeling is a one-stop information center for tackling home projects large or small for the first time or any time.

    Your Input

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    Go to My Frugal Home Repairs.


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