Household repairs fall into different categories — some require experience and training, and others can be done by nearly anyone. Save your repair money for the jobs that take more experience, but learn as much as you can about everything else. Deal with anything that can be handled with the tools in your kit. Doing simple jobs yourself will add up to real savings over the long run.

Tackle Plumbing First

Experienced landlords will tell you that tenants most often call about the plumbing. Start your education there. Look at the books and pamphlets stacked near the checkout counter or in the plumbing department at a home improvement store.

Grab all the free pamphlets you can get. Also find one or two well-illustrated books written in clear, precise, understandable language. (You don't want a book that is just as confusing as some of the instructions found in ready-to-assemble products.) Usually these books are not very expensive and will serve as good references. The Everything® Fix-It Book is a great resource to get you started.

Replacing gaskets on leaky faucets, unplugging clogged drains with a plunger or perhaps an auger or “snake,” replacing the inner workings of a toilet that's running constantly, or even replacing a wax seal under the toilet are not difficult tasks. When a valuable ring falls into a drain, it's not lost forever; it's waiting to be released from the trap — the U-shaped pipe — under the sink. With the right tools and a little bit of research, you can tackle these chores.

Move On to Locks

Always change your locks between tenants. You'll find that some tenants will make a point of asking whether locks were changed after the last tenant left. You may also have someone who wants you to change the lock in the middle of the tenancy. Hiring a locksmith is not expensive, but why pay anything for a job you can handle on your own?

Buy several similar locks — one brand from one manufacturer. Once the first lock is installed, all you have to do “to change locks” is remove the inside cylinder and exchange it for another. Your tenant will be happy to get a new key and you won't have to do any other work since the rest of the lockset stays the same.

Replace Light Fixtures

You may not want to rewire your house or figure out what's causing lights to flicker and go out. Big jobs like that should be left up to an experienced electrician. But if you need a new light fixture in the hallway or apartment, it isn't a big chore. Read your literature carefully, and turn off the power at its source! Then you needn't worry about handling the job. All you really need to do is detach the two wires that run through the ceiling from the two wires in the old fixture and reattach them again to the new light. Your fix-it book or website will explain which two wires go together.

Tighten Screws

Screws work their way loose, and after a number of years it's impossible to get some of them tight again. But you'll find liquid products that will adhere to metal screws and bolts and lock the threaded fastenings so that they will not loosen from vibrations. After setting for twenty minutes to twenty-four hours, these fastenings will be as tight as when they were first put in.

Painting and Redecorating

Just about anyone can paint walls and woodwork if they can get up and down ladders and reach overhead to paint ceilings. Is that something you want to tackle? If not, you still might be able to save money — ask if your tenant will do it for a rebate on rent. Be sure to get a written agreement. Then supply the paint, plenty of dropcloths and brushes, and supervise the job.

Wallpapering is not difficult. You'll find that the walls and ceiling are not perfectly straight. To get a plumb line, tie a long string onto a screw or nail and insert it into the wall, up near the ceiling. The string will fall straight. Use that line to pencil in straight lines on the wall, then match the edges of wallpaper to them.

Other Jobs to Tackle

Inside and out you can do many of the odd jobs yourself. Learn how to trim shrubs and trees. Clean leaves and other debris out of gutters and flush water through the downspouts to clear them. You'll be surprised what comes out. Get rid of mold and mildew — on a monthly or bimonthly basis. Clean carpets, but don't use too much detergent. You won't get it all out and the soap residue will only attract more dirt.

When a furnace or water heater goes out and you don't smell gas, check the pilot light before you call for service. You don't want to pay for a $60 service call just to have it relit. If you do smell gas, however, don't attempt to ignite a pilot light; it might cause an explosion. Instead, call the gas company or a professional who responds to emergencies immediately. They'll know what to do.

You can glue down loose tiles, tighten screws on doors and shelves, replace hardware on cabinets, and sand and seal wood floors if they're gouged or marked up. It might take a little time to get the hang of it, but put up curtain rods and blinds. Use a level to keep them straight.

You don't have to hire an expert if the mortar between bricks falls out. Just take out any broken pieces with a putty knife or screwdriver. Then mix up a small batch of new mortar and push it into areas where the old mortar is missing. (Use your thumb if you have to.) You can gradually replace the mortar in sections in your spare time.