Is It Really Broken?

7 Tips to Avoid Needless (and Embarrassing) Calls for Repair

It can happen to the best of us. We discover that something isn’t working and we jump to the conclusion that it isn’t working. We feel that feeling in the pit of our stomach as we think, “well how much is THIS going to cost?” And maybe we wonder if the item somehow knows that we just got a bonus and is figuring out how to spend the money FOR us.

But is it REALLY broken?

Here are some tips (from our real life archive of repair calls to fix things that weren’t really broken) to help you avoid unnecessary expenses.

1. Check the Batteries.
Even if it was just working yesterday, if it has batteries, make sure they’re fresh. We got a call from a client who thought that their thermostat needed to be replaced and after replacing the battery it worked just fine.

2. Be sure which one is broken.
If the light won’t turn on, it could be one of several things, but the first thing to test is the light bulb. Try the bulb in another fixture. If the bulb doesn’t work (or if it’s a three way, has one or two settings burned out), replace the bulb in the original fixture. If it does work, return the bulb to its original location, make sure it’s screwed in all the way and test again. If it still doesn’t work it could be the fixture, or…

3. Make sure it’s plugged in.
Sometimes things get unplugged for whatever reason. Before calling the repairman to fix any appliance make sure it’s connected to power. And if it is…

4. Make sure the circuit breaker hasn’t been tripped.
One thing that’s important to know is where your breakers are, which plugs they affect and how to reset one properly. We’ve gone out on numerous calls where either the homeowner didn’t know where the breaker was OR they thought they had reset it, and it wasn’t done correctly. If you’re not sure, ASK! We are happy to show you how.

5. So your garbage disposal isn’t working?
Did you know they have a reset switch? If you’re not sure where (or if) your model has one, Google is a great resource for finding that out. But before you flip that switch – Make sure there’s nothing clogged inside. Spoons, rags, etc., can trip the switch. So have a look and make sure it’s clear. If you have to reach in and get something out, remember safety first. Be sure the switch is in the OFF position and the no one turns it on while performing this operation. 

6. Dryer not drying?
Check the lint trap and make sure the vent is not clogged with lint. This is a major cause of house fires, so add cleaning the vent to your list of regular and important home maintenance items.

7. Above All, Safety First
These days, we use our homes for so much more than originally imagined. When older homes were built, some of the appliances that are used in our kitchen, living room or garage were just a fantasy or thought too expensive for the average homeowner. In addition, we use rooms intended for sleep for home offices. If your circuit breaker keeps flipping, chances are you are overloading it. We’ve heard horror stories about people who get annoyed with having to reset it over and over again – and tape the breakers so they won’t flip! This is incredibly dangerous. Don’t be that person.

At The Fix It Professionals your safety is very important to us. If you have tried our easy fixes and they didn’t work, or if you need help with a circuit breaker that is unhappy with the load you’re trying to make it carry, give us a call. Of course if we have to do electrical work, the rate is a bit more than our handyman fee, but your safety matters. Read on for our August Special.    

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10 Inexpensive Tips to Recondition Your Home

Have you ever watched one of those home improvement shows and thought, “That SEEMS like a good idea, but how much would it COST?” Sure, we’ve all done that! Between the cost in both time and money, most of us never start a “do it yourself” project – it just seems too overwhelming. The article in this issue features 10 tips that can be done yourself for less than $100 in materials. Some of these projects are simple to do and some require a little more time. We hope you can use at least one of these tips to recondition part of your home affordably!

1. Add color and texture with cork
Corkboard is inexpensive and insulating. Consider creating a cork ceiling or using cork as a wall covering in a cold room. Cork can also make a decorative and functional wall in a kitchen. Pin recipes, menus, pictures etc. for easy display and reference.

2. Noticeable house numbers
Even though you have numbers on your home and likely at the curb, sometimes they can be obscured by vegetation, someone parking a car in front, or even the weather. Consider choosing a beautiful font and painting oversized numbers right on the front door! Just like “wall words” for your home, this is a beautiful way for important information to get noticed.

3. Wrap nylon rope around a handrail for non-slip grip
Slippery railings? Weave nylon rope around the rail so that it’s easier to get a grip. Nylon rope comes in an assortment of colors so your non slip handiwork will be functional and attractive.

4. Got the floor tile blahs?
Usually a tiled floor begins to look boring and tired as the grout gets dingy and worn. Replace that worn out grout with colored grout. It will accent those tiles and give them a fresh new look.

5. Oh that garage door!
A garage door takes up a great deal of “real estate” at the front of most homes. And yet homeowners usually paint them to blend in. Give that door some personality! Instead, repaint your garage door using the accent colors you’ve used outdoors and you’ll create an immediate curb appeal “wow factor” without breaking the bank. 

6. Perk up tile with decals
Is your kitchen backsplash or your bathroom tile feeling dull? Rather than replace them, how about tile decals? For less than $50 you could have a brand new beautiful look that won’t take long and doesn’t use the “elbow grease” required for a full tile replacement.

7. Got a problem with mildew in the bathroom?
Most of us do, but the idea of leaving the bathroom fan on all day seems like a waste of electricity. Consider putting that bathroom fan on a timer. Step out of the shower, set it and forget it! Now you can avoid mildew or mold build up without worrying about having the fan on all day!

8. Roll-away drawers
If you like the idea of ‘under the bed storage’ but you really don’t like the idea of flimsy cardboard boxes or plastic bags, this idea is for you! Recycle old dresser drawers! Glue wooden blocks on the inside of each drawer at the corners. Attach wheels to the bottom of each drawer and viola! Under the bed storage that will last and rolls out easily even with a heavy load! 

9. Let’s face it, dogs can be messy!
Contain dog bowls and their related mess in a metal tray designed for entryway boot storage. This keeps dog food and water off of your floor and makes Fido’s feeding area easy to clean up.

10. Faux Fancy Walls
Wallpaper looks nice but it’s such a pain to hang. Plus it’s expensive and then you have to worry about taking it down when it becomes old or dated. What if your fancy wallpaper wasn’t? For under $100 you can purchase wall stencils (Benjamin Moore). These fancy, large decals make it easy to create a stunning patterned effect on any wall, and unlike wallpaper, when you’re tired of it, you can simply paint over it.

We hope these ideas have inspired you to reuse, repurpose, rethink and refurbish some areas of your home. If you like these ideas but you would prefer not to have to take the time or energy to do it yourself, we’re here to help! Read on for our July Special. 

              

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