Quick Fix Home Inspection Issues

When issues are found during your home inspection, these DIY solutions can help you easily repair common problems.

When you schedule a general home inspection, you might assume any discovered issues will cost thousands of dollars to fix. However, this isn’t always the case. You can easily fix many minor defects yourself. Discover some of the most common problems identified in your home inspections and their easy DIY solutions. 

Three Home Inspection Issues You Can Fix Yourself

Leaky Faucets

A leaky faucet in the bathroom or kitchen can keep you up all night with its continuous dripping. In fact, a faucet can leak up to 11 gallons of unused water per day. This is wasteful and can raise your water and energy bills. If your home inspection report shows evidence of a leaky faucet, it can often be repaired with a single pair of pliers. Here is a common solution to fix most leaky faucets.

DIY Solution

Tools You’ll Need

1. Pliers 

Steps to Fix Your Faucet 

1. Turn off the hot and cold water supply valves 
2. Twist off the compression nuts
3. Remove faulty pieces
4. Screw all pieces back into place
5. Turn water on 

Clogged Garbage Disposal 

Sometimes defective garbage disposals can go undetected in a home inspection. It’s not until you start washing the dishes that you notice water is not going down the drain. Fortunately, unclogging your garbage disposal is typically an easy fix. The following steps can help clear most clogs.   

DIY Solution 

Tools You’ll Need

1. Clamp
2. Allen wrench    

Steps to Fix Your Garbage Disposal 

1. If you have a dishwasher, apply a clamp to the flexible part of your drain pipe. 
2. Turn off and unplug your garbage disposal. 
3. Clear sink of any dirty dishes and food particles. If there is a pool of water in your sink, use a plunger or bucket to remove the water. 
4. Insert the Allen wrench in the hole at the bottom of your garbage disposal. Turn it left to right until it feels like the clog has cleared and the blades are moving easily. If this works you can remove the wrench, plug in and turn on the garbage disposal for regular use.
5. If there’s still a clog, insert a special garbage disposal wrench in the disposal opening in your sink. Turn the wrench back and forth until the blades move freely again.       

Drywall Holes

If the previous homeowner left holes in the wall, don’t fret. Patching up small holes is a simple process that only requires a few common tools. Try this solution next time you need to repair holes.   

DIY Solution 

Tools You’ll Need

1. Spackle knife
2.  Drywall Putty 
3. Electric sander or sandpaper    

Steps to Patch the Holes in Your Drywall

1. Scoop an appropriately sized amount of putty with the spackle knife
2. Spread putty over the hole 
3. Remove any excess drywall putty 
4. Wait for putty to dry
5. Sand down the wall area until it’s smooth
6. If required, repaint the wall area

Find an AmeriSpec Expert Near You

These general DIY solutions can help you fix common issues. However, if you do not feel comfortable attempting these projects on your own or the problems persist, contact your local AmeriSpec certified inspector. We can examine common household issues and advise you on how to proceed. Contact us to learn more about our services.