D.I.Y. Repairs.

[cheapbastard]

Last week we came home and there was water on the floor beside our washing machine. I opened the lid and the tub was still full of water. From some simple observations when I started the machine again, I concluded the water pump must not be working. I decided to have a look myself and save on the repair bill.

I unplugged the machine and removed the back panel. I was able to remove the pump and cleaned it out. It had a bit of sand and grit in it. I put it back, plugged the machine in and it worked. "What a good boy am I", I thought.

I was able to save myself a rather large repair bill. I am sure the repairman would have replaced the pump which would have cost. His labour and travel would have cost. It would undoubtedly have led to a repair bill of at least $100.

My Question: Are there any other Do It Yourselfers out there who save money doing things themselves.

[fultron]

Sure, I've learned how to do quite a few things since we bought our home.

[cercis]

I do simple things. I have a knack for mechanical things (as long as they aren't computerized).

I've heard there's a good website for this (repairclinic.com? drrepair.com? something like that). They provide free info - diagnostic and corrective - and then if it's something you can't fix on their own, they hook you up with a repair person (which is where they make their money). I have lots of friends who use it and love it.

[Lemony]

We try and do everything ourselves. We installed our own dishwasher 2 years ago, and have kept it maintained. We just installed a new faucet last month, too. Total savings on plumbers has to be at least $200 so far. This summer we're going to install our own laminate flooring.

[cercis]

Lemony -

What maintenance do you do on a dishwasher. I ask because we've never really done anything and that was great for our maytag, but I've now had 2 different dishwashers that just suck. I have to scrub every last particle of food off before I load it or it won't get clean at all. And if there is one little particle of food left, it multiplies and then takes up residence in every single glass (always the glasses since they are so hard to clean).

[shawni]

Since we bought bought our house (1890 fixer upper) DH has become a carpenter, plumber, painter, mason, and electrician. If he hasnt been able to figure it out...he has great friends who help!

[robex]

Lemony,
Dh and I installed laminate flooring in our living room, dining room, and kitchen. Dh got so good at it that he's now done my brother's house and my mom's house. The snap together kind is really easy and durable and looks great. Good luck!

[Tree0164]

Home depot has alot of free do it yourself seminars.

I am now addicted to the http://www.diynetwork.com/ They even have a 30 minute show on duct tape LOL

[PrincessPerky]

If we can't do it, FatherInLaw can!

[Optsol]

I diy more for pride than for money...

Well who am I kidding, it's 80% for money and 20% for pride that I'm saving the money :

One site that I have used in the past with great success is http://www.doityourself.com/

Here is an example of a question I wrote and the caliber of the answer received.

http://forum.doityourself.com/showth...886#post743886

[gakline]

Yep, I do some...or bribe my dad to do it.

So far the exterior spigot burst, we've put door and drawer pulls on, painted.

I bought a ballast for a tempermental light fixture. Of course as soon as I bought the ballast the light was fine.

[Ima saver]

I am so lucky, my husband is a builder and does all the work in the houses all by himself. Besides all the carpentery, he does the painting, makes the trim, installs the doors and windows, builds all the cabinets, does all the tile and marble work, hardwood flooring, you name it he can do it. He also does all the plumbing and electrical. The only thing he cannot do is anything electronic and he has never even touched a computer.

[flash]

Absolutely! Favorite Xmas gift last year was a new tool belt, DH got tired of me changing the size of his and his changing it back. We do major DIYs together.

[LittleGopher]

Oh yes! We have an old house, two old vans, aging appliances and various cranky computers (others' castoffs that my husband likes to piece together into our own household network system - yes, this is a hobby gone wild, but at least it's usually free!)

Nothing is off limits. My husband most enjoys working on anything computer-related, electrical and plumbing work, vehicle repair and maintenance and housepainting. I can make repairs on fabric and other materials (I've been known to stitch my favorite leather items back together.) I also sew for our home and my family - I specialize in creating things without the use of patterns, because I'm too cheap to buy them and don't follow them most the time anyway. I paint in- and outside the house. I salvage old things and refinish them to be used in our house. We were both raised in houses where our parents did this too, so we were assimilated into this way of life at young ages, I guess.

The only time we call in the experts is for some major work on our full-size conversion van (where the removing the engine to make the repair is required.) About 11 years ago our house was hit by lightening during a summer storm, so our insurance paid for the roof to be repaired and reshingled, and we kindly let them hire someone to do it. Otherwise, we've done everything ourselves. And yes, it's because of the money!!

[Lemony]

Lemony -
What maintenance do you do on a dishwasher.

We have a hard water problem here, so we have to keep the dishwasher from building up calcium deposits. Usually a spray-down with KaBoom will take care of it. We once had to fix a leaky valve underneath, but plumbers tape took care of it.

Thanks to the pp with the tips on laminate. I'll look into the snap-together kind. I can't wait to redo our floors!

[cercis]

I can so relate to the hard water. The water here actually eats through metal. The first dishwasher in our rental house had so much minerals built up on the element it was double its normal size.

I'm looking for an organic solution. I currently use vinegar and it's working to a certain extent, but I'm sure it's a losing battle.

[PRICEPLUS]

I replaced all the electric outlets a few years ago. I put up all our light fixtures. I hired an electrician to run a home run form the box into the basement though. I do simple plumbing repairs and I paint.

A person should know their limitations and hire the appropriate professional when necessary. I also don't mess with gas lines!

[cheapbastard]

I grew up on a farm and my father was a real do it yourselfer. That is probably where I get many of my skills. A friend of mine is totally useless when it comes to DIY. I can't understand it because his father is a bit of a handy man. He used to get his father come over and do little jobs around the house.
Tomorrow I change the oil in my car. (Another very simple DIY that I know a lot of people do not do themselves.)

[Bluezy]

As a renter, I am taking advantage of not having to worry about household DIY projects. However, when the time comes to buy property, I will learn to DIY like a pro.

[acezz4e_tish]

Originally Posted by cercis

Lemony -

What maintenance do you do on a dishwasher. I ask because we've never really done anything and that was great for our maytag, but I've now had 2 different dishwashers that just suck. I have to scrub every last particle of food off before I load it or it won't get clean at all. And if there is one little particle of food left, it multiplies and then takes up residence in every single glass (always the glasses since they are so hard to clean).

there are bottles of cleaner for dishwashers in the store. you can green clean it too, mix some vinegar baking soda and lemon juice, run the machines empty. make sure you clean off that trap in the bottom too, i use an old toothbrush on that part. i saw someone post on here you can use vinegar as a rinsing agent too and its cheaper. i am definatly gonna do this as i do it in the laundry and it has not disappointed me yet. if you have to wash your dishes first, you definatly would have a problem, ive always been told the dirtier the better, it helps scrub the dishes im told. i would go to cascade.com they have a virtual tour of dishwashers, loading, cleaning and all. i used to have a grit problem in mine, but once a month i run it empty with the mix i mentioned, and i have no probs anymore. i use 2 diff soaps in mine too. i use one dollar gel in the second cup, main cup i use a red cascade pack. i used to buy the one dollar rinse agent too, but now ill be using vinegar. maybe even throw some ammonia in the wash while its empty.