Learn how to fix things

[RickTheToad]

Let me start... I am no contractor. I bought my house in 2010 and was completely clueless about general home maintenance, landscaping, and repairs. A massive source of stress for me was always worrying about things breaking or leaking and having to pay someone to fix it.

so over the years I made an effort to learn how to repair pretty much everything in my home. I will not tackle electrical work. Last week at work one of the new hires 22 years old was talking about how stressed he was because the “faucet” behind his washing machine kept dripping. He said he called multiple plumbers but they were booked for weeks. I tried to walk him thru what was probably wrong with his shut off valve. He had no clue.... he asked if I could fix it... I went to his apartment and literally tightened a packing nut and it stopped ! It was 3 minutes of work. He wanted to give me 100 dollars I declined and he bought me a bottle of expensive bourbon. He has now asked me to help his friends out with home /apartment problems they have.

I am not looking for a side hustle but it appears we have an entire generation that has no interest in learning any hone maintenance skills. I would venture to bet someone with an average understanding of home repair could make pretty decent money doing this.

Yea, it amazes me how clueless most people are these days. As a landlord, I fix many things myself. It's really not worth the charge for contractor unless it's an expensive repair. I had an apartment that needed a new paint job. Only about 1100 sq. ft, and many contractors wanted north of 1200 (plus paint) for the job. I did the job in 2 hours and it cost me $35.00 for paint. I also do minor plumbing, sheetrock and electrical stuff myself too. Labor is just too expensive these days for minor sh!t. I had to replace 9 light switches. An electrician wanted nearly 600 bucks. I went on Youtube and learned how to do it. With Youtube, one can do just about anything..

I was thinking the faucet was either something loose, or the cartridge may need to be changed. Trust when I say, there's a Youtube video for that. Though, cartridge changes can be tricky for the shower.

 

[RickTheToad]

I have no interest in any of that either and I am in my mid 40s. I will gladly pay someone to take care of that crap.

A little knowledge never hurt anyone. Besides, you learn a new skill and save money. Don't be lazy..

 

[RickTheToad]

^^^THIS^^^
And in an era of servicemen not giving a Sht about workmanship, it's more important now than ever before!

Yea, true to that. Many young "contractors" just want the money and couldn't care less about the work quality. Aaron Clarey moved to North Dakota (for some reason) and built a house. He stated many times that the contractor work was so poor he had to go on to Youtube to fix their fvck-ups. Been there before many a times...

 

[RickTheToad]

I wish I could do a YouTube series for the guys here because ł consider the use of tools and the ability to build and repair to be vitally important to healthy manhood. But alas, the need for anonymity prevents this.
There’s nothin like the feeling of accomplishment when you build, repair or restore something.

@BackInTheGame78 and @EyeBRollin don't want to mess up their manicures or crisp clothing. Lol.

 

[RickTheToad]

Congratulations guy, I bet a good feeling of a well done job came with that one…

I haven’t done a radiator in years, but my last adventure a few months ago was my dishwasher. Did you know that a 20% blocked water inlet valve/filter will create uncleaned dishes and non dispensed soap pods. Located right behind base cover plate, 4 simple tools, 30 minutes, and best of all a $27 part.

Yea, had to replace a water valve a few times too. The labor for that would had easily cost you a few hundred dollars.

 

[manfrombelow]

Very good topic, OP. Thank you!

Learning to fix things around your own place is actually a very masculine trait a man can equip himself with. This skill provides himself a sense of pride in his everyday life, as well as giving his women & children a sense of security as well.

 

[Atom Smasher]

We need to get back to traditionally masculine skills. They are traditional for a reason. My wife gets the tingles every time she sees me doing any kind of work that demonstrates a masculine skill. You know how women will suddenly get overcome with emotion and say how much they love you? That’s what I’m talkin bout.

 

[BackInTheGame78]

@BackInTheGame78 and @EyeBRollin don't want to mess up their manicures or crisp clothing. Lol.

Haha, I'd simply rather spend the time doing other things

 

[2Rocky]

I have 3 daughters. Each of them helped as we remodelled my home. Now I had a contractor do a lot of the structural framing but I did nearly all the demolition, clean up, and disposal.

I involved my daughters so they could either do some things themselves or recognize if a contractor or mechanic was bull$hitting them. The two youngest each took a basic "Skills for the trades" class in high school as an elective (by their own choice). I think it will give each of them the confidence to take on their own home repair projects if need be.

 

[RickTheToad]

Haha, I'd simply rather spend the time doing other things

It's all good dude.

 

[Bible_Belt]

I have been the handy man for the family rental properties for several years. I replaced a renter's toilet yesterday, took about 30 min, if that. I have done it so many times that I know the tricks and now don't get water and wax everywhere.

Most electrical work isnt that hard, as was said earlier. Use a tester, shut off the main breaker, follow basic code. When connecting wires with wire nuts, don't twist the wires first like everyone I have ever seen do it. The wires go into the wire nut side by side and the wire nut does the twisting. Secure with tape. I am yet to once take apart a wire nut that was installed correctly. Everyone twists the wires first and no one tapes. Stuff like this helps prevent a fire.

Gas is about the only thing I don't mess with. It is a pain to find someone to do that work, because the insurance is so expensive. When you pay a pro, you are paying for insurance coverage in case they blow up your house.

I would encourage anyone here to ask for help if you want to learn, from everyone not just me. Post a pic if you can and describe the issue, and someone can probably steer you in the right direction.

 

[seylen]

The interesting thing is that when I lived in an apartment, I couldn't fix anything myself. And when I moved into a house, I don't know how, but I learned a lot. Now I can make something out of wood, I learned how to grow vegetables and take care of flowers. I never thought I could do anything with electricity. But recently I was able to wire a small bathroom radiator for ensuite. It's a real breakthrough in my abilities. Maybe I'll use my skills to make money soon.