The Most Common Home Repairs (and How to Fix Them Yourself)

Every home has its quirks—those small issues that sneak up over time until they’re too annoying to ignore. A dripping faucet. A door that won’t close right. That mysterious hole in the drywall from moving day. As a professional handyman serving Central Florida, I can tell you these aren’t just common—they’re practically guaranteed in every home, new or old.

But here’s the good news: with a bit of patience and the right tools, most of these common home repairs are simple enough to tackle yourself. Whether you're in Orlando, Sanford, Winter Springs, or anywhere in between, this guide will walk you through the most frequent home repairs and how to fix them without calling in the pros—unless you want to.

Leaky Faucets

A dripping faucet isn’t just annoying—it can waste hundreds of gallons of water a year, driving up your utility bill and leaving unsightly stains in your sink.

The issue is usually a worn-out washer or O-ring inside the faucet handle. To fix it, first turn off the water supply under the sink. Then remove the faucet handle with a screwdriver, take out the cartridge or washer, and bring it to your local hardware store for a match. Reassemble the parts, turn the water back on, and check for leaks.

Pro tip: If you're unsure about the type of faucet you have (compression, ball, cartridge, or ceramic disk), snap a picture and show it to a plumbing associate at your local hardware store. They're usually more than happy to help you identify the part.

Squeaky Doors

Florida’s humidity is notorious for causing metal components to expand, contract, and squeak. The hinges on interior and exterior doors are often the first victims.

The fix is straightforward: apply a lubricant like WD-40 or white lithium grease directly into the hinges. Open and close the door a few times to work the lubricant in. If the squeak persists, remove the hinge pins, clean off any rust with steel wool, and apply fresh lubricant before reinserting them.

If the door is sticking or dragging at the bottom, tighten the hinge screws or adjust the door’s strike plate. Sometimes, just switching the top and bottom hinges can even out the wear and solve the issue.

Peeling Caulk Around Sinks or Tubs

Old caulk can crack or peel, especially in Florida bathrooms where moisture lingers. Mold can build up behind failing caulk and eventually damage walls or counters.

To fix it, use a utility knife or caulk removal tool to scrape away the old material. Clean the area with rubbing alcohol to remove residue, then dry it completely. Use a tube of mold-resistant, waterproof silicone caulk to reseal the gap. Apply it in a continuous bead, then smooth it with a caulk tool or your finger dipped in soapy water.

Give it at least 24 hours to dry before using the area again.

Drywall Dents and Holes

Nail pops, furniture dings, and the occasional accident can leave behind small holes or dents in drywall. The fix depends on the size of the damage.

Use spackling compound for small holes (less than half an inch). Apply it with a putty knife, let it dry, then sand smooth and touch up with paint.

For medium holes (up to a few inches), use a patch kit. These usually include a mesh patch, joint compound, and a putty knife. Stick the mesh over the hole, apply the compound in layers, sand smooth between coats, and repaint.

For larger holes, cut out a square around the damage, insert a backing board or scrap wood, screw in a new piece of drywall, tape the seams, mud over them, sand, and paint.

If you have persistent cracks near doors or windows, the issue might be related to settling or improper framing. If the problem recurs, it's worth calling in a pro to assess.

Running Toilet

A constantly running toilet is usually the result of a faulty flapper, fill valve, or float.

Start by removing the toilet tank lid and observing what happens when you flush. If the flapper doesn’t seal completely, water leaks into the bowl. Water will keep running into the overflow tube if the float is too high.

Replacing a flapper or adjusting the float height takes only a few minutes and requires no special tools. Most repair kits cost under $15 and are available at any home improvement store. Shut off the toilet's water supply before beginning work.

If the problem persists, you may need to replace the fill valve. These come with clear instructions and can be swapped in less than 30 minutes.

Doors That Don’t Latch

Doors that won't latch properly are often the result of shifting door frames, misaligned strike plates, or loose hinges.

First, tighten all hinge screws. If the door is sagging, try replacing the top hinge screw with a longer one that goes into the wall framing. If the door still doesn’t latch, apply lipstick or a marker to the latch, close the door, and see where the mark lands on the strike plate.

If it's misaligned, unscrew the plate and reposition it. You may need to chisel out some of the wood to allow the plate to sit lower or higher.

For doors that don’t close completely, inspect the weatherstripping or any swelling due to moisture. In Florida, it's common for wooden doors to expand in the summer. Light sanding around the sticking edge can help.

Loose Cabinet Handles and Hinges

With frequent use, cabinet hardware can come loose or fall out completely.

For loose handles or knobs, remove the hardware, fill the stripped hole with a wooden toothpick coated in wood glue or a matchstick, then reinsert the screw. For hinges, do the same or use longer screws that bite into the cabinet frame.

If the hinge screws won’t hold at all, consider moving the hinge slightly or installing a metal anchor for added strength.

Cracked Tiles

Tile can crack due to settling foundations, dropped objects, or installation errors. Replacing individual tiles is entirely doable if you have extras lying around.

Start by removing the grout around the broken tile with a grout saw. Then, use a hammer and chisel to gently break the tile into smaller pieces. Remove the adhesive underneath, clean the area, and apply fresh thin-set mortar. Press the new tile in place, let it cure, and apply matching grout.

Cracked tile in high-traffic areas or near plumbing fixtures should be evaluated for underlying issues, such as a shifting slab or water damage.

Light Fixtures That Flicker

Flickering lights aren’t just irritating—they can be dangerous. Most of the time, the culprit is a loose bulb, faulty socket, or bad switch.

Tighten the bulb first. If that doesn’t work, turn off the power at the breaker and remove the fixture to inspect the wiring. Loose wires or scorched terminals are signs you need to replace the fixture or consult a licensed electrician.

In Central Florida, high humidity can also lead to corroded light sockets, especially in garages and exterior fixtures. Swapping the socket or replacing the entire fixture is usually safer than patching up corroded parts.

Sticky Windows

Florida heat and moisture can cause wood window frames to swell, making them hard to open or close.

Try cleaning the tracks with soap and water and lubricating them with a silicone spray. If that doesn’t work, inspect the window for warped wood or paint buildup. Use a putty knife to shave off excess paint or sand down swollen wood carefully.

If windows are painted shut (common in older homes), score the edges with a utility knife and gently lift the sash with a pry bar. In some cases, replacing the window balances or springs may be necessary.

Being proactive with home maintenance saves money, improves your home’s value, and prevents minor problems from becoming big. These common repairs are all manageable with a basic toolkit and a bit of time.

But don’t feel like you have to do it all alone. At Moxie Home Pros, we specialize in helping Central Florida homeowners keep their homes in tip-top shape. From drywall repairs to door adjustments, we’ve seen—and fixed—it all.

Need a hand?

Do you need help with any of these repairs? Visit www.moxiehomepros.com to schedule a repair visit or request a free estimate.

Looking for more homeowner tips and repair tutorials? Our blog regularly posts new guides, checklists, and DIY walk-throughs tailored to Florida homes.

And if you're not the DIY type? That’s okay—we are.

Let Moxie handle it.