Tips for the novice fixer-upper

MRS. FIX-IT

Home ownership is exciting and terrifying all in one breath.

Gone are the days of renting or living with parents; owning your own home means you’ve finally got your own space, a place to reflect all your style and tastes.

However, anyone who owns a home knows there’s a dark side, too ... maintenance and repairs.

The following are my Top 5 handy tips all homeowners should have:

1: Unclogging a sink. Chemicals found at the store are helpful at removing clogs, but sometimes they won’t resolve the issue. I’ve had success removing a clog by sticking a wire hanger down the drain to break up the clog. You can also use a plunger or rent a hand-snake.

2: Locating a stud. I’m constantly hanging something around my house – bookshelf, a picture or some sort of décor – and if you want it sturdy, you’ll

want to be able to locate a stud. Most studs are placed at 16-inch intervals. You can start at the corner of the room, there’s usually a stud there and measure in 16-inch intervals from there.

3: Fixing a stripped screw. It’s going to eventually happen whether you’re a master carpenter or not. To resolve this issue, you can use a flat-head screwdriver to try and fix it or you can use a hammer to lightly tap it into place. Sometimes putting a piece of duct tape over the screw then retrying will help.

4: Cleaning dirty grout. All you need is a steam cleaner; you’ll be able to simply wipe away the stain. Use a penetrating sealer on the grout to keep the grout from getting stained again.

5: Cleaning up a paint spill on carpet. Warm water and dish soap will usually remove small amounts of paint.

Aside from these five tips, get to know your neighbors and talk to employees at the hardware stores, too. They can be a fantastic resource for you.

Sara Thomas is Mrs. Fix-it.

She is originally from Louisiana and is the mother of three, sons Ryker and Reese and the newest addition, daughter Robyn. Her husband, Jason, was born and raised in Texas and very proud of that.

E-mail Sara at sara_e_thomas@hotmail.com.