Yes I can!

[lisabarr]

As some of you know from other posts, I am recently seperated and living on my own with my kids.

I find myself now having to do the repairs that my STBX used to do. Instead of panicking and hiring someone, which I can't afford, I have been learning to do it myself.

Case in point. My Mom spent the weekend here and put a hot teabag on my wooden table causing a white cloud. I thought the whole table would have to be refinished. Nope, after reading on the net, I found that a steam iron would remove the cloud. So I tried it and it did!!!

I have hooked up my tv and TIVO, DVD, hung a mirror and fixed a leak. Next to attempt to fix the toilet by replacing the flapper. I plan on watching youtube for that one.

 

[arthur06]

Atta girl!!!

 

[mjbaby]

Sister's doin' it for herself!

Good for you! There was a book out a while ago - and, forgive me for not linking, my Google-fu is not working tonight - that addressed these kinds of things, how-tos for women on their own and stuff like that. Give a look and see if you're not more successful in finding the title, because I remember it as being really cleverly organized and full of tips and hints for basic homecare (plumbing, mechanicals and the like).

These first successes are just the tip of the iceberg of what you can do for yourself (and your family)!

 

[dislaney]

Good for you!

 

[Mary•Poppins]

Good for you! You can learn and do anything.

My mother did a LOT of repairs around our house ... and love woodworking. She was a true inspiration for us growing up.

 

[dd50]

Good for you! Most things that go wrong are easy to fix and don't take long. I have been doing that for years when married and not.

The flapper is easy and should only take a few minutes.

I never liked to wait for someone to do the repair (husband included) so I learned to do many things. The only thing I don't like to mess with is electrical or plumbing. Those I usually find a friend or get a professional.

 

[MomToOne]

Go for it girl

I've owned two houses now on my own, both over 70 years old. They take a lot of TLC. I definitely have things that are "hire it out" jobs - like I won't touch electrical, it scares me to death (personal hang up) - but there is A LOT I've learned to handle on my own. Among other things, I've torn out and replaced sinks and toilets, installed closet systems, stripped and refinished kitchen cabinets, rescreened window screens, installed a fireplace mantel, stripped several rooms of ancient painted over wallpaper, fixed more plaster cracks than I care to count, textured walls and torn down an ugly ole carport. (OK - on that last one a then-boyfriend helped, but I told him what to do and how to do it )

And let's just say it wasn't something I learned growing up - my father was NOT a fix-it type guy LOL

Just take one job at a time, read as much as you can beforehand, and don't get frustrated when it doesn't work the first time - sometimes you have to step back, regroup and go at it again fresh.

And spend the money to get the right tools when you need them - it makes all the difference!

 

[Swimalie]

You go girl! Doesn't it feel great?

A few years ago my father in law passed and I saw that my mother in law didn't know how to do anything, even pump her own gas. I realized that I needed to do more on my own. I repaired a door, fixed a crack, replaced the mailbox and learned how to mow the lawn. It felt great to know I could do it if needed.

 

[QVCshopper]

My DH isn't the handiest, so I do all repairs like that. The flapper is easy. He can do electronic hookups, though, so I haven't bothered to learn that, but maybe I should.

 

[Taja]

Good for you!

The flapper is an easy fix. In addition to YouTube, check the websites for DIY network and some of the older shows on HGTV. The local library usually has fix-it books, as well.

When I graduated from high school and moved into my first apartment for univerisity, my parents gave me a good, basic cookbook and a fix-it-yourself book. I still use both of them! *LOL*

 

[java]

Good job and the flapper is an easy fix. I've done about 4 of them. You'll be amazed at how easy some things can be. I am contemplating retiling my kitchen. It's addicting.

 

[StephMK]

Good for you! I think it's a great feeling & very empowering to know you can fix something!

DH is NOT AT ALL handy & my dad has always tinkered with whatever needs fixing. My dad taught me how to change lighting and I have changed out several fixtures now. I learned plumbing through necessity when our kids' bathroom started literally breaking in pieces. It is amazing how tight finances will bring out the drive to try DIY fixes! DH is still not interested so all the repairs fall on me. I love fixing stuff & really want to try tiling too.

You can do it!!

 

[disprincessatheart]

mine is a much smaller project, but dh bought me a mirror for our bedroom back in november when we got new furniture. As of yesterday, yes 6 months later, it was still in a box near our bedroom. I decided I would put it up myself. Went into the garage, got the drill, put in a drill bit, found wall anchors and screws and managed to get it hung in 1 try. It's even straight! I then rehung a picture that had been where i put the mirror. I've decided I need to do all the projects that I can myself since I'm home right now and DH is working insane hours and never gets around to even the yard, much less the honey do list. Plus he gets so easily frustrated the 10 minute mirror hanging would have been an hour of stress for us both if he did it!

Our master bathroom really needs recaulking and I'm debating if I can do it myself. Anyone got any tips for me?

 

[lisabarr]

I am going to try caulking next. I will watch a youtube video.

 

[Greenepona]

While I have a SO, I do most of the repairs, etc... as long as i can reach. I am only 5' and have t-rex arms. so sometimes I need help but I do most on my own...

I learned lots of stuff from my dad, and have pretty good google-fu. i wont do electrical stuff, but minor plumbing is easy. That reminds me I have to check out my toilet tonight... The handle is very hard to flush all the way.

The flapper is easy as long as you have the right tools and determination. I had to replace the float on mine once. piece of cake once i got the old one taken off... whoever put it on mush have been he-man.

 

[disneychic2]

I'm so glad you are tackling things and succeeding! Makes you feel really great, right? Keep up the good work and the great attitude.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

Our master bathroom really needs recaulking and I'm debating if I can do it myself. Anyone got any tips for me?

Recaulking is pretty easy! Most of it is prep work (scraping out the old and cleaning the surface) and that's the kind of thing that anyone can do - in other words, no skill required!

I personally prefer the tubes of caulk that look like a toothpaste tube as opposed to the ones that require a caulking gun - while it may cost a tad more as you may need 2 small tubes as opposed to 1 large tube, it's a lot easier to apply as getting a smooth, steady line from a caulking gun requires practice. On the other hand, pretty much everyone has experience squeezing a toothpaste tube...

And there is one product that will make your life SO MUCH EASIER - caulk shaping spray that you put on the caulk right after you apply it - it takes away the "stickiness" and makes it so so easy to get a smooth finish. Put on a pair of latex gloves (or similar - something that fits snugly), apply the caulk in a thin line (thinner is better - just enough to cover the joint), spray it, and then use your glove-covered fingertip to smooth it. Easy peasy! Have a few rags or paper towels on hand for quick wipes and whatever the tube of caulk suggests for removing messes before they dry, usually rubbing alcohol, but it depends on the type of caulk.

Here's a link to the spray - you can get it at Home Depot or Lowes or similar places for under $10:

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=1307404

Have fun with it!