February Fix-Ups: 7 Home Repairs That Make a Big Difference
February sits in a practical sweet spot for homeowners and renters. The holidays are over, routines are back, and small signs of wear start to show around the house. Doors squeak more than usual, furniture feels slightly loose, and walls show marks that were easy to ignore before. This makes February a smart time for seasonal home maintenance, especially simple fixes that help prevent bigger issues later on.
You do not need advanced skills or expensive equipment to get started. With a few reliable home repair tools from ACE Hardware PH, you can handle basic DIY home repairs without stress.
1. Fix Squeaky Door Hinges and Stuck Locks
Are you annoyed by the constant creaking and squeaking of hinges on doors and cabinetry in your home? There’s a simple fix to that.
Using a WD-40 lubricant helps push out moisture and keeps the metal parts of your door hinges moving smoothly. It also works well on cabinets, locks, and other small mechanisms around the house. To apply, spray lightly on the hinge pin or keyhole, then wipe away any excess. Open and close the door a few times so the product spreads evenly.
2. Tighten Loose Bolts and Nuts
Furniture and fixtures loosen slowly over time. Chairs wobble, towel racks shift, and shelves feel less stable, especially in high-use areas. While these may seem like small problems, ignoring them can cause more damage and accidents at home.
Make it a task to tighten bolts and nuts in your home furniture and fixtures using a combination wrench set. Start with dining chairs, bed frames, and cabinet hardware. Hold the bolt steady, turn until secure, and stop once it feels firm.
3. Refresh Walls with a Quick Paint Touch-Up
Walls are often overlooked in our homes. Over time, they can show signs of wear and tear, such as peeling paint, scratches, and even bubbling. These imperfections can change a room's appearance. While a full repaint might not be necessary, you can still do small paint touch-ups to fix your wall paint.
A polyester paint brush is ideal for covering scuffs and small blemishes. Its bristles hold an even amount of paint, helping you apply a smooth, streak-free coat. A wall paintbrush also offers better control when working near corners or edges. First, clean the wall area, then apply a light coat of paint, and let it dry before adding another layer if needed.
4. Organize Tools for Easier Fixes
Even simple repairs feel harder when your tools are scattered. Searching for a screwdriver or wrench can turn a five-minute task into a frustrating house chore. Taking time to organize now saves effort later.
A plastic toolbox organiser helps keep frequently used hand tools in one place. Its compartments make it easy to separate small hardware tools from larger power tools. Gather essentials like screwdrivers, wrenches, and measuring tools, then arrange them neatly. You can label sections if needed.
5. Repair Any Broken Small Electronics and Accessories
Many household appliances tend to break or stop working over time. The most common are toasters that won’t stay down, electric fans that start humming, or vacuum cleaners that lose suction. Fixing these early helps extend their use and saves you money by avoiding the cost of buying a new one.
All you need is a reliable screwdriver set with a range of screw sizes and types for troubleshooting broken electronics and home appliances. Use it to tighten loose screws and replace fuses.
6. Check and Adjust Door Alignment
Doors can shift slightly because of changes in temperature and humidity. You may notice a door scraping against the floor, brushing against the frame, or simply not closing smoothly. While these issues may initially seem minor, ignoring them can lead to increased wear and tear over time.
To start, gently open and close the door to see where it sticks. Look closely at the hinges and strike plate to see if anything appears misaligned. Oftentimes, tightening loose screws usually fixes the problem. Making this alignment correction for your door helps prevent damage and keeps everyday movement around the house comfortable and hassle-free.
7. Inspect and Secure Cabinet Doors and Drawers
Cabinet doors and drawers get opened and closed dozens of times a day, which slowly affects how they sit and move. Just like doors, you might notice cabinet doors that no longer line up or a drawer that feels rough when pulled out.
You can check for uneven gaps or resistance and feel for any looseness at the joints or hinges. Make sure you secure small parts in place to help cabinet doors close properly and drawers glide more smoothly.
Start These Home Fixing Tips This February
If you’ve been thinking about working on those small repair tasks in your home, now’s the right time to do so! It may seem optional, but when you ignore them, they can turn into even bigger problems that will cost you more money.
With practical home repair tools from ACE Hardware Philippines, even inexperienced DIYers can handle basic home improvement tasks without feeling overwhelmed. Visit your nearest ACE Hardware store or shop online at Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, or SMAC&SHOP.