Several smaller home maintenance tasks fall victim to the 'I'll do it later' problem. Whilst that saves you time right now, those little niggles can often lead to bigger, more expensive problems down the road. Not to mention that most of those tasks you leave undone leave your home looking or functioning worse.
That is where the two-minute DIY rule comes in – if a home maintenance task will take you around two minutes to complete, you get it done ASAP. From changing out a cracked lightswitch plate to refreshing your HVAC filter, completing these sooner rather than later will help to prevent buildup, reduce mental clutter, and keep your home functioning smoothly without the feeling of constant or lengthy upkeep.
Here, contractors have shared their three favorite quick-fix tasks to tackle in under two minutes to inspire your low-lift weekend DIY home projects.
What Is the Two-Minute DIY Home Maintenance Rule?
If you can fix a small home issue in two minutes or less, do it now, rather than letting the problem linger and lead to a harder or more costly fix. Here are three commonly-needed tweaks to try in your home.
1. Fix Holes and Dents in Walls
Holes in walls are unsightly to say the least, bringing down even the most well-designed rooms. Luckily, patching holes in walls is simple and takes just minutes to do.
For small holes and dents caused by nails or accidental knocks, all you need is a putty knife (available on Amazon, or even a butter knife you no longer use for food) and some spackling, which can be purchased from Lowe's.
Jonathan Palley, CEO at Clever Tiny Homes, says, 'Spackle is your best friend. Especially if you get pre-mixed stuff, you can easily apply it to dents, nail holes, and other damage on your drywall in virtually no time.'
To do this, Brian Meussner, VP of operations at Mr. Handyman, adds, 'Use a putty knife to press spackle or pre-mixed joint compound into the hole, smearing it so that it’s flush with the wall. Allow the filler to air dry, then lightly sand the area with sandpaper. Apply a second coat if needed, air drying and sanding once more.'
Finally, Jonathan concludes, 'When you have another two minutes sometime after that, you can touch up the paint to cover the spackle itself.' I find that having some of these refillable paint pens from Amazon on hand is best for this. You can keep exact samples of each of your wall paints in a handy container for quick touch-ups, so you don't need to dig out the tin and brushes for every quick fix.
2. Lubricate Squeaky Door Hinges
Squeaky door hinges might not be an aesthetic problem in your home, but they can be irritating. A squeaking door is also a sign that there is friction in the hinge, which, left unchecked, could result in damage over time.
Rather than allow it to get worse and eventually have to remove the whole door to replace the hinges, Brian recommends taking less than two minutes to lubricate them now instead.
'Apply a lubricant like WD-40 [available at Amazon] to the hinge and swing the door a few times to work it in. If the noise persists, it can mean paint chips or debris are trapped, or the door is slightly out of alignment. At that point, it’s smart to pause and call a pro rather than forcing a fix that could worsen the alignment.'
You can also use WD-40 to clean rusty tools, clean outdoor furniture, and remove rust from bathtubs and other metal surfaces, making it a great quick-fix DIY tool to keep in your arsenal.
3. Tighten Loose Handles and Knobs
Loose cabinet knobs and door handles can make your home look worse-for-wear while also impeding functionality, says Brian. There's little excuse to put this task off, however, given that it takes less than two minutes to fix with a multi-head screwdriver from Amazon.
'Grab a screwdriver and tighten the screw, being careful not to over-tighten and strip the hole,' he warns. 'If the hole is worn and the screw won’t hold, an easy DIY fix is to glue the knob. To do this, apply a small amount of thread-locking adhesive to the screw, slide the knob back onto the screw, and let it dry.' LOCTITE Threadlocker from Lowe's is ideal for this.
While fixing cabinets, don't forget loose pan handles, too. While very loose or damaged handles are a sign it's time to replace your pots and pans, most handles can be quickly tightened up with the same screwdriver to avoid a cooking nightmare.
What to Shop
You can fill these touch-up paint pens with leftover paint once you have decorated a room, so you always have some easily accessible to touch up rooms should the walls be scuffed.
This complete drywall patch kit has all you need to fix holes in your drywall and restore the surface, with premixed spackling, a putty knife for easy application, and sandpaper to even out the wall.
Whether you like DIY or not, every home should have a multi-head screwdriver to hand for quick fixes so you can repair items and not replace them, preventing waste and saving money.
WD-40 is an essential multi-use product that lubricates, displaces moisture, penetrates stuck parts, cleans, and protects metal from rust and corrosion. It is a must have to have in every home.
Even if you prefer to call a professional for home maintenance, having a few odd tools around the house is essential. This metal toolbox can safely house them all while looking pretty in your home storage.
Some tasks such as lubricating door hinges of changing HVAC filters can be on the messier side. A pair of work gloves can help to protect your skin or jewelry from damage and mess.
Meet the Experts
These are just a few of the essential DIY skills every homeowner should know. Brushing up on the basics can help to maintain your home and save you money at home.
