Home Repair Hacks To Get Your Security Deposit Back

If you’re about to move out of a rental and want to make sure you receive your security deposit back, we’ve compiled a list of home repair and cleaning items that can help you quickly DIY your way to a more equitable return. A landlord will try to charge you for nicks, holes, and stains, especially if you’re moving out of a former collegiate flat or a place that has seen its share of roommates come and go. So, when you see a lot of things that need a quick fix but you don’t have the time or money to do it, you look for a simpler answer. We have discovered a plethora of creative and simple home repair hacks.

Easy Way To Get Beautiful Baseboards And Trim

Repairing baseboards isn’t difficult, but as a house settles, cracks and chips can appear. Try this DIY home repair tip to get professional-looking painted baseboards. Scrape off the old caulk first. If the caulk is still adhered to the wall in some spots, remove it with a razor knife.

Remove any excess texture with a sander to create a flat surface. Cut the tip of the caulking gun at an angle and apply. Hold the caulking gun so that the tip is flush with the baseboard as you work. Smooth the caulk with your finger tips and let it dry.

Repair Damaged Veneer Before Painting Furniture

If your desk has several spots with damaged or missing veneer, there is an easy way to fix it yourself. Prepare the wood filler. However, once mixed, the filler dries quite fast so it is best to prepare a small amount and work just two or three spots at a time.

With a thin putty knife, apply generous amounts of wood filler to the damaged areas. Sand the filled spots with a rough sandpaper. Do touch-ups with a softer wood filler, and apply it with your fingers for more precision. Sand again after it has completely dried. Paint and varnish.

Patch A Hollow Door

Do you have a door with a hole in it that you’re sick of looking at? We have probably all seen this. But instead of hiring a contractor, you can patch a hole in a door yourself.

It is important to start off with a smooth surface, so use a medium/fine grain sanding block to sand the areas you need to patch. Next wipe it down with a damp rag, and let it dry. Next, tape over it with some standard patching tape. Now fill it with a joint compound using a putty knife. Then let it dry completely.

Change An Outlet

This home repair lesson explains all you need to know about changing an outlet. The first thing you need to do is to go to a hardware store and buy a replacement outlet and cover. Before touching anything, disconnect the power to the outlet. Remove the cover and unscrew it.

Gently pull the outlet out from inside the wall. You will see three wires: one is called the hot wire, the other is called neutral and the thin copper wire is the ground. Attach them to your new outlet. Lastly, push the outlet back in and screw it to the box.