Years ago, most homeowners could do a bit of home DIY just as they could fix their car. Well, it's all changed now, especially with electric cars in the picture!

Fixing stuff around the house is incredibly useful and can save quite a bit of money. There are lots of small jobs no handyperson will touch, so if you find yourself with some free time on your hands, why not learn the art of some basic DIY and get fixing!

1. Filling in Holes in the Walls

You know what it's like: you move the pictures and never get around to doing anything about the holes that are left. You could buy some fancy filler from the DIY shop or do something different: just mix baking soda from the kitchen and some super glue.

Apply with a knife. This paste hardens into a plastic-type substance just like filler and you can then sand this down before painting. If the walls are a pale colour, you may not even notice it.

2. Revitalise your Bath

Whilst you've got the baking soda out, mix it with some cream of tartar in equal parts. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and then make a paste. Apply with a cloth to those stubborn bathtub stains, leave for 30 minutes, and then rinse.

3. Re-grout the Tiles

Whilst you're in the bathroom, why not have a go at re-grouting the tiles? Tile grout is porous so over time, it just gets ingrained with dirt. Clean the grout first and then apply the new product with a damp rag. The transformation is remarkable.

4. Repair a Leaky Tap

Dripping taps are annoying and a waste of water, but if you have an old-fashioned pillar tap, you can sort this problem out yourself. Leaking taps are usually caused by a perished washer and you can replace this. You'll need a new washer of the correct size and a wrench to unscrew the tap. Don't forget to turn the water off at the mains first!

5. Bleeding Radiators

Over time, air becomes trapped in radiators, meaning your central heating isn't as efficient. You'll need a bleed or radiator key for this, and it's always a good idea to put towels down on the floor just in case of any leaks.

6. Clearing a Blocked Sink or Plughole

Plug holes in basins and sinks become blocked with accumulated dirt, grime, and grease. Start by putting some soda crystals down the plug hole – you can dissolve them with boiling water. Then, use a sink plunger to get some suction. You may have to repeat this a few times, but you can usually shift a stubborn blockage.

7. Fixing Loose Doors and Cupboard Handles

This is one of the simplest household tasks. Just tighten up the screws with the right-sized screwdriver. If one or more screws are missing, then replace them.

8. Fixing a Drawer that Sticks

A drawer that sticks and won't run properly is incredibly annoying. Take the drawer out and check nothing has fallen down the back and got stuck. Check also that there are no protruding nails. Then smooth the runners on each side with abrasive paper or sandpaper – job done!

9. Checking the Stopcock

Turning off the mains water is essential to make tap repairs. Every house has a stopcock, and it's essential to know where it is in case of a flood. It's also crucial to keep it working smoothly because most people don't use them very often. You can use release oil or some WD40 and just gently spray it and turn it off once or twice. If you do this a couple of times a year, it should work efficiently when you need it.

10. Fixing a Creaky Staircase

If you're fortunate enough to have a bare wood staircase, sprinkle some talcum powder into the joints on the creaking stair tread, and this should solve the problem.

11. Repairing a Stuck External Door

If you have wooden external doors, you'll already know that wet weather can cause them to swell. Start by checking that there isn't an obstruction in the door jamb like a small stone. Check and tighten the screws on the hinges and lubricate them with oil. If there's been a lot of wet weather then wood will naturally swell, returning to normal size when it's dry. A wax crayon can help ease the door.

12. Easing an Internal Door

Check the hinges on the door first. Obviously, you don't have weather to worry about, so it could just be that the door is catching on a new carpet. Because the door isn't altering its size due to moisture level, you can take the door off its hinges and gently chamfer off a small amount at the bottom.

13. Ceiling Stains

Repainting water marks and damp patches on the ceiling is a chore and potentially a big job. Try this first. Make a bleach and water solution containing just 10% bleach and spray it on the stain. Make sure you protect your eyes with goggles and the floor below. Give it 24 hours, and you should find the mark has gone.

14. Draughtproofing

If you live in an old house that doesn't have uPVC windows and doors, then the chances are, you've got draughts. Apart from checking that the doors and windows fit correctly and are in a good state of repair, you can fit draughtproofing, which consists of self-adhesive rubber foam weather strips. These will make all the difference and save on your heating bills, too.

15. Clear out Guttering

This is an easy job, just a bit messy. You need a step ladder and a bucket. Don't work about your head for safety, so you may only be able to clear gutting from single-storey buildings. You can also fit gutter guards to help stop them from getting clogged in the future.

16. Replace a Failed Wall Fixing

Wall fixings for shelves and cupboards often fail because the masonry around them comes loose, particularly if you're overloading the fitting or because the hole and plug are too big for the screw. It's easy to remedy; the golden rule is to match the size of the wall plug, screw, and drill bit.

17. Unblock the Shower Drain

If there is a trap, that's easy, and you probably do it regularly. Shower drains without a trap are more troublesome, and it's easier to put off clearing these! Find a piece of soft wire and bend it around to form a hook. You should be able to lift out some of the debris, enough to clear the drain. A sink plunger can also help until the water is running freely.

18. Clear the Dryer Vent

Dryer vents always become blocked and, as well as preventing the dryer from working efficiently, the build-up can become a fire hazard. Unplug the dryer and move it to access the vent. Vacuum out the larger pieces of lint and then clean the rest of it with a pipe brush.

19. Clean Outdoor Decking

Don't forget outdoor jobs. Decking can look dull and discoloured after just one season, but it's easy to clean, and you don't need a load of expensive products. Spray warm water over the wood and then sprinkle soda crystals on the surface. Leave for a few hours, then brush with a stiff broom when the crystals are dry. If you have more time and energy, you can dissolve the soda crystals in warm water and manually scrub the wooden surface.

20. Hanging Shelves

Increase your home’s storage by hanging shelves. Be careful to make sure that the shelves are level before you drill holes in the wall, and they can support the weight of your items. Floating shelves look good but make sure you use wall anchors to support the right amount of weight.

Things that don't work properly in the home on a daily basis can have an irritation value way beyond their difficulty. If you have some free time, it's a great idea to catch up on these simple DIY tasks that any householder can do. There's a great feeling of satisfaction completing even the smallest and most simple task. Put them all together, you'll save some money and feel a lot happier too!

Original author: Anne Howard