Easy, Budget-Friendly Home Repair and Maintenance

These days, many people find themselves struggling to maintain their mortgage payments. Maintaining or repairing your home itself may seem out of the question. Right now, you cannot afford to hire an expert to come make repairs for you, and you do not consider yourself an expert at home maintenance or DIY repairs. On the other hand, you might know a thing or two about odd jobs around the house, but just don't think you have the time or money to tackle them.

You might be surprised to learn what you are able to do, even with limited experience, time and funds. We have entreated several experts who graciously shared their favorite tips that are simple and quick to perform and yet will not put a big dent in your wallet.

Chris Prickett is a general contractor, Realtor, and home inspector in the Phoenix area. Chris also presents a blog and email newsletter at www.askprickett.com dedicated to helping homeowners become "house care heroes." He is a treasure trove of home maintenance tips that can help you avoid costly and difficult repairs down the road.

"Each year, fire departments respond to over 15,000 fires associated with clothes dryers or their vents. These fires result about $100 million in home damage, and 30 deaths annually," shares Chris. While this might be a scary notion, it is also a highly preventable one.

"Let's start at the dryer," says Chris. "Here's a tip from my wife Dianne: WASH YOUR LINT FILTER REGULARLY! It seems that those lovely dryer sheets, as well as liquid fabric softeners, leave a film on the lint filter. Simply clean it with detergent and an old toothbrush, rinse and shake it dry, and you're all set. This will not only reduce lint build-up, but help the dryer last longer and run more efficiently.

"At least once a year, disconnect the dryer and vacuum out the back of the dryer, as well as the exhaust pipe. If your dryer exhaust pipe backs up to an exterior wall, this is a simple task. It's a little trickier when you have a longer length of rigid exhaust pipe that goes "up and over" to the exterior, or vents through the roof. I take a shop-vac and CAREFULLY snake the hose (no attachments!) up into the vent. Push it until you meet any resistance, then stop. Stuff a rag around the opening to make a seal, and then run the vacuum for 5-10 minutes. You'll be surprised what comes out! Is that where all the socks go? If your dryer exhausts on an exterior wall, inspect that end for any accumulated lint. Check the vent flap and make sure it opens freely."

Master plumber and plumbing expert on JustAnswer.com, Rico Soma suggests a tip that can improve your home and save you money every month.

"Replacing an old shower head is an easy home repair that can save water and save money on your water bill," shares Rico. "Most modern shower heads use two gallons of water per minute or less and provide an enjoyable showering experience. All you need is an adjustable wrench, some Teflon tape, and your new showerhead.

"To remove the old head adjust your wrench so it will fit on the flat part of the old shower head where it attaches to the pipe (shower arm) coming out of the wall. Unscrew the old head in a counter clockwise direction. Once the old head is off, wrap several turns of Teflon tape around the threads of the shower arm in a clockwise direction pulling the tape into the threads as you go. Screw your new head onto the arm by hand then use you wrench to tighten the head on the last few turns. You don't need to strain to make the connection tight.

"Now you're ready to enjoy a relaxing shower and you've done something to help save money and the planet!"

You've likely heard the old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is particularly true when it comes to home maintenance and repairs. It is well worth spending a few dollars and a little bit of time and energy now to avoid the need for pricey fixes later.

HouseMaster, the oldest and largest home inspection franchisor in the United States recommends several DIY jobs you can do in an afternoon and for less than $25.

HouseMaster experts suggest that you change your home's air filter regularly. Clogged filters reduce heating and cooling efficiency and can reduce the useful life of the appliance. Visit your neighborhood hardware store to find affordable air filters and inquire about buying a case of them. Most retailers offer a case discount, and you will have a dozen filters on hand - one for every month of the year. Make it a habit to change your air filter every month when you pay your utility bills.

Spend an hour or two on a ladder, cleaning the gutters and trimming tree branches near your roof. Maintaining a clear path for rain runoff from the roof helps avoid expensive water damage to the house and its structures, and falling branches and wind-blown limbs can damage the roof and siding. Overhanging branches can also be an invitation for wood destroying insects.

Don't feel like you have to start with a large-scale home improvement or repair project. Look around your home for small repairs such as screws that need tightening or holes that need patching. Rent a power washer for the day and give your siding and sidewalks a good scrubbing. Even little fix-ups such as these can have big payoffs down the road. Moreover, the pleasure and confidence you reap from accomplishing these smaller tasks might just encourage you to take on something a bit more challenging. Before you know it, your friends and family may be coming to you for expert home repair advice.