Top 10 Home Repairs Every Dallas Homeowner Should Know

As a Dallas homeowner, you'll inevitably face home repairs. While some projects are perfect for DIY, others require professional expertise. Understanding what to expect helps you budget, plan, and decide when to call for help. Here are the top 10 repairs we see most often in the Dallas metro area, based on thousands of service calls across Richardson, Plano, Frisco, and McKinney.

1. Leaky Faucets and Running Toilets

Texas water costs add up fast, and the Dallas area has some of the highest water rates in the state. A single dripping faucet can waste over 3,000 gallons annually. A running toilet wastes even more, potentially 200 gallons per day.

**Common causes:** Worn washers, corroded valve seats, damaged cartridges, or faulty flapper valves in toilets.

**DIY or Pro?** Simple washer replacements are DIY-friendly. However, older fixtures common in Richardson and Plano homes (20+ years) often have corroded parts that break during repair attempts. If your fixture is older or the leak persists after a washer change, professional replacement ensures a lasting fix.

**Average repair time:** 30-60 minutes for professionals, 1-3 hours for DIY.

2. Drywall Damage

From doorknob holes to foundation settling cracks, drywall damage is the most common repair request we receive. Dallas clay soil causes foundation movement, which translates to wall cracks. Add in furniture moves, picture hangers, and the occasional accident, and you've got plenty of patches needed.

**Types of damage:** Nail pops, small holes (under 2 inches), medium holes (2-6 inches), large holes (over 6 inches), and cracks from settling.

**DIY or Pro?** Small holes and nail pops are DIY-friendly with spackle and touch-up paint. However, matching existing wall texture (orange peel, knockdown, skip trowel) requires professional equipment and experience. Paint matching is equally challenging—even with the original paint code, sheen differences and aging make blending difficult.

**Why pros get called:** Most homeowners try DIY first, then call us when the repair looks obvious. Professional repairs are invisible, which matters for resale value.

**Professional results:** Professional repairs are invisible and maintain home value, especially important for resale.

3. Caulking and Weatherstripping

With Texas heat, humidity, and dramatic temperature swings, caulk and weatherstripping deteriorate faster than in moderate climates. Failed seals around windows, doors, and bathrooms lead to energy loss, water damage, and pest entry.

**Inspection schedule:** Check all exterior caulk annually, especially south and west-facing walls. Bathroom caulk should be inspected every 6 months.

**Problem areas:** Window exteriors, door frames, bathroom tub/shower surrounds, kitchen sinks, exterior penetrations (hose bibs, electrical boxes).

**DIY or Pro?** Exterior window caulking is tricky—improper technique traps moisture and causes rot. Bathroom re-caulking seems simple but requires complete old caulk removal and proper surface prep. Pros complete the job in one visit; DIY often requires multiple attempts.

**Dallas-specific tip:** Use caulk rated for high temperatures (150°F+) on south and west exposures. Standard caulk fails within 1-2 years in our climate.

4. Garbage Disposal Issues

Kitchen disposals last 10-12 years with normal use, but hard water common in Dallas, Richardson, and Plano accelerates internal corrosion. Most disposal problems fall into three categories: jams, leaks, or motor failure.

**Common issues:** Jammed by silverware or fibrous foods, leaking from sink flange or discharge connections, humming but not grinding (motor failure).

**DIY or Pro?** Clearing jams with the Allen wrench (found under the unit) is easy. However, leaks often indicate corroded seals that will fail again soon—replacement makes more sense. Motor failures always require replacement.

**Replacement timing:** If your disposal is over 8 years old and having problems, replacement is usually more cost-effective than repair.

**Pro tip:** Dishwasher hookup adds complexity. Improper installation causes dishwasher drainage problems and leaks.

5. Door and Window Adjustments

Foundation shifts from Dallas clay soil are inevitable. Homes settle continuously, especially in the first 10 years. This causes doors to stick, windows to bind, and frames to rack out of square.

**Signs you need adjustments:** Doors that stick in summer, gaps in winter, difficult-to-latch windows, visible gaps when closed, scraping sounds when opening.

**DIY or Pro?** Tightening hinge screws is DIY. However, planing doors, shimming hinges, and adjusting strike plates without damaging paint or frames requires experience. Over-aggressive DIY repairs often create bigger gaps or damage that's expensive to fix.

**Prevention:** Cannot prevent foundation movement in Dallas soil, but proper drainage around your foundation minimizes extreme shifts.

6. Electrical Outlets and Switches

Loose outlets, non-working switches, or warm cover plates indicate electrical issues that require immediate attention. These aren't just annoying—they're fire hazards.

**Warning signs:** Outlets that don't grip plugs tightly, switches that spark or feel hot, outlets that don't work, flickering lights when using outlets, discolored cover plates.

**DIY or Pro?** Replacing outlets and switches is straightforward IF you know how to safely shut off power and test circuits. However, warm outlets, sparking, or repeated failures indicate larger electrical problems (loose connections in walls, overloaded circuits, aluminum wiring issues). These require licensed professionals.

**Dallas code requirements:** Modern code requires GFCI outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoor locations. Many older Plano and Richardson homes lack proper GFCI protection.

**Safety first:** If you're uncomfortable with electrical work, don't DIY. Professional service ensures safety and code compliance.

7. Fence Repairs

Dallas wind and summer storms take their toll on wood fences. We see fence damage year-round, but peak repair season follows spring storm season (March-May).

**Common damage:** Broken pickets, leaning posts, rotted rails, blown-down sections, gate sagging.

**DIY or Pro?** Replacing a few pickets is DIY-friendly. However, post repairs require digging, concrete work, and temporary bracing. Large sections require multiple people and power tools.

**Wood choice matters:** Cedar costs more upfront but lasts longer in Texas sun and moisture. Pine fencing requires annual sealing to prevent rapid deterioration.

**HOA considerations:** Many neighborhoods in Frisco, McKinney, and Plano have strict fence regulations. Check HOA rules before repairs to avoid violation notices.

8. Ceiling Fan Installation

Proper ceiling fan installation requires secure mounting to ceiling joists or fan-rated boxes and correct electrical connections. This is one repair we strongly recommend leaving to professionals.

**Why pros are essential:** Fans must be mounted to structural supports, not just drywall. Improper mounting causes wobbling, noise, and catastrophic failure. Electrical connections must be correct—reversed wires cause reverse rotation and poor airflow.

**Common mistakes:** Using regular junction boxes instead of fan-rated boxes, failing to find joists, incorrect blade balancing, wrong downrod length for ceiling height.

**Safety matters:** DIY injury risk and potential damage from falling fans make professional installation the safer choice.

**Dallas climate note:** Ceiling fans reduce AC load significantly. Proper summer direction (counterclockwise) creates downdraft that makes rooms feel 4-6°F cooler.

9. Kitchen and Bath Cabinet Hardware

Loose handles, squeaky hinges, and worn drawer slides are among the easiest, most satisfying repairs. These small fixes dramatically improve daily function and feel like a mini-remodel.

**Common issues:** Stripped screw holes, broken drawer slides, soft-close hinges that no longer close, misaligned doors.

**DIY-friendly fixes:** Tightening screws, adding wood glue to stripped holes, adjusting hinges with a screwdriver.

**When to upgrade:** If your cabinets are 15+ years old with original hardware, complete replacement of hinges, slides, and handles provides years of better function. This is a perfect DIY project for handy homeowners.

**Design opportunity:** New hardware is an inexpensive way to update kitchen and bath aesthetics. Modern handles and hinges transform the look without the cost of new cabinets.

10. Exterior Touch-ups

Small exterior projects boost curb appeal and home value across Frisco, McKinney, and surrounding areas. These 'honey-do' list items accumulate but make huge differences in first impressions.

**Common projects:** Mailbox repairs, house number replacement, doorbell updates, exterior light fixture replacement, address plaques, power washing, loose siding repair.

**DIY or Pro?** Most are DIY-friendly. However, electrical fixture replacement requires safe power shutoff. Siding repairs may reveal underlying damage requiring professional assessment.

**Timing matters:** Schedule exterior work for fall or spring. Summer heat makes outdoor work miserable, and paint/caulk cures poorly in extreme temperatures.

**ROI boost:** Real estate agents consistently report that small exterior touch-ups yield disproportionate returns in buyer interest and offers.

When to Call a Professional

If you're uncomfortable with tools, short on time, or facing structural, electrical, or plumbing work that could cause bigger problems if done wrong, call a licensed handyman. Here are clear signs to call the pros:

**Safety concerns:** Electrical work, ladder work on second stories, projects requiring power tools you don't own.

**Time constraints:** Projects taking DIY homeowners 6-8 hours that pros complete in 1-2 hours.

**Specialized tools:** If you need to buy or rent tools costing more than half the professional service price, hire the pro.

**Structural implications:** Foundation, framing, load-bearing walls, or roofing always require professionals.

**Permits required:** Most permitted work legally requires licensed contractors.

**Free Estimates:** We offer free, detailed estimates throughout the Dallas metro area. Get a price before deciding between DIY and professional help.

**Need help with any of these repairs?** Jafar Handyman LLC serves Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Frisco, and McKinney with reliable, licensed service. We've completed thousands of these exact repairs and can usually schedule service within 2-3 business days. Request your free estimate today.