Whether you are a homeowner who likes to do repairs and maintenance tasks yourself, or you are thinking of hiring a handyman to help you with some home repairs, it is important that you know the basics. In this blog post, we will discuss the 5 most essential handyman skills that everyone should know. We'll also provide tips for learning these skills and for finding quality handyman services.

Spackling a Hole or Scuff in the Wall

One of the most basic handyman skills is spackling a hole or scuff in the wall. This is a skill that you can learn relatively easily, and it is one that will come in handy for many different home repairs. All you need is some spackle (a type of putty), a putty knife, and sandpaper.

To patch a hole in the wall:

• Squeeze some spackle into the hole until it is filled up
• Use the putty knife to smooth out the spackle, making sure to get rid of any bumps or lumps
• Let the spackle dry completely (this usually takes around 24 hours)
• Once it has dried, use sandpaper to sand down the spackled area so it is smooth

Then, you can paint over the patch.

Caulking a Shower, Sink or Tub

Caulking is another handyman skill that you will find to be useful in a variety of home repair situations. This involves filling the gap between two surfaces with caulk (a type of sealant).

You can use caulking for many different purposes, including:

• Sealing cracks or gaps in tile grout in your bathroom or kitchen
• Patching up any holes made by water leaks behind faucets and sinks
• Filling the gap between a shower, tub or sink and the wall

To caulk around a bathtub or shower:

• Make sure that both surfaces are clean before you begin
• Remove any old caulking with a utility knife (be careful not to cut yourself!)
• Apply new caulking using a smooth bead of caulk along the seam between your bathtub/shower and the wall. Use your finger to spread out the caulk evenly. This will take some practice! Let it dry for at least 24 hours. You may need to apply additional layers if there is still space between these two surfaces after applying just one layer of caulking.

Fixing a Leaky Faucet

Another handyman skill that you will find to be useful in many different home repair situations is repairing a leaky faucet. This can save you money on your water bill and also help prevent damage from water leaks over time. The key here is knowing how to remove the old washer inside of the faucet, as well as installing a new one! You may need pliers or a wrench depending on what type of faucet it is (e.g., single-handle versus double).

To fix a leaky faucet:

• Turn off the water supply by twisting shutoff valves under your sink countertop clockwise until they stop turning, then open up all taps so there's no pressure left in pipes
• Disconnect the faucet from the water supply by unscrewing it counterclockwise
• Remove the old washer (usually a flat circular disk) inside of the faucet using pliers or wrench, and discard it
• Install a new washer in its place, making sure that it is seated properly. Screw on the faucet tightly by twisting it clockwise until it's tight

Turn on your water supply and test to see if the leak has been fixed!

Changing a Light Bulb

Another basic handyman skill that you should know is changing a light bulb. This may seem like an easy task, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind in order to do it safely.

First, always make sure that the light switch is off before you start changing the bulb. This will help prevent you from getting shocked.

Second, be careful when removing the old bulb. Hold onto the base of the bulb and twist it gently to remove it from the socket. If you drop the bulb, it may break and glass shards could injure your feet or hands.

Third, insert the new bulb into the socket by pushing it in until it clicks into place. Twist it slightly if needed to make sure that it is properly seated.

Finally, turn on the light switch and test to see if the new bulb works!

Changing a Doorknob

Another basic home repair task that you may need to do at some point is changing a doorknob. This involves removing the old knob and installing a new one.

To change a doorknob:

• Remove the screws from the top and bottom of the doorjamb using a screwdriver
• Slide off the old doorknob from the spindle (the long metal rod that goes through the hole in the middle of the knob)
• Insert the spindle into the hole on the new doorknob, making sure that it is lined up correctly
• Put back on the screws to secure the new knob in place

Test out your new doorknob by opening and closing your door!

These are just a few of the basic handyman skills that everyone should know. By learning these skills, you will be able to handle many different home repair tasks on your own, which can save you time and money in the long run.

You may also want to consider hiring a handyman services company to help take care of some of these repairs for you. A professional handyman will have the experience and expertise needed to get the job done right, and they can often do it more quickly and affordably than if you were to try to do it yourself. So whether you are a beginner or an experienced DIY-er, having these basic skills in your arsenal is always a good idea!