Easy bathroom repairs to do yourself

Bathrooms are used a great deal, so they naturally start to suffer from a bit of wear and tear over time. If your bathroom is starting to look a little overused, it might be time to buckle on a tool belt and start making some quick repairs. Some fixes – like refinishing a clawfoot tub or repairing plumbing – are best left to the pros. However, there are others that you can absolutely take care of without professional help and will instantly add to the look, and even value, of your bathroom. Here are some common bathroom woes, and what you can do to fix them:

Buildup on faucet parts
Hard water can cause lime and mineral deposits to gather on faucets, making them look unsightly and, in some cases, causing clogs. You can buy commercial lime remover at the grocery store, but you can also use natural ingredients found in your home to fix the problem. For slight buildup, try rubbing lemon juice onto the faucet, since the acidity can help clear up the stain. For major buildup around the spout, fill a sandwich bag with white vinegar and use a rubber band to attach it to the faucet (so the spout is soaking in the vinegar). Let it soak for awhile so the vinegar can start to dissolve the buildup, and when you remove it, use an old toothbrush to tackle the rest.

Dripping faucet
Old bathroom faucets sometimes begin to leak as they age. If you have a faucet that’s constantly dripping water, you’ll probably need to switch out the washer and O-ring in whichever handle isn’t turning off completely. First, close off the water valves under the sink, then unscrew the handle – you can usually find the screw under a cover on the top of the handle. Once you remove the handle, you’ll have to take off a packing nut and a stem before finding the washer and O-ring. Replace both, then put the handle back together. If you don’t know what size washer and O-ring to buy, take apart the handle first, then bring the old hardware along with you to buy the new ones.

Broken tile
A broken tile can diminish the appearance of your shower, plus the sharp edges can be dangerous. Fix it by using a grout tool or hammer and small flat-head screwdriver to scrape away the grout surrounding the tile. Then, chisel away the tile, beginning at the broken edge, until you remove the pieces completely. Use a strong adhesive or mortar to glue the new tile in place, making sure to apply the adhesive evenly. Then grout around the edges. Be careful not to break the tiles in the surrounding area, or you’ll have to start all over again!

Scratched wood
Scratches on an otherwise beautiful vanity or wood flooring are normal, but they can bring down the room’s style. If the whole vanity is looking dingy, consider staining or painting the entire surface and replacing the hardware. If the wood is otherwise pristine, check out your hardware store for crayons made for filling scratches. Hardware stores generally have crayons or pencils in a number of different colors. The right hue will be able to blend into your vanity’s wood, spiffing it up in no time.