Fixing something after it gets damaged or broken.
6
votes
1answer
196 views
How to repair a door with patches of stripped-off finish?
I was trying to replace the door knob on the bathroom door and for some reason the existing hole was too small so I enlarged the hole by clamping a piece of wood to the door and drilling though. I ...
17
votes
6answers
2k views
How can I repair rusty tools?
Should I use sandpaper to clean the rust from the tools (e.g. Needle-nose pliers), or can I soak them in vinegar or lemon juice?
Would I be better off just buying new tools (which can be an ...
0
votes
0answers
83 views
How can I repair my coffee machine? [closed]
My coffee machine doesn't boil the water and doesn't drop it onto my coffee. It's quite new and I don't have any idea what can be the cause. How can I verify how it work properly and how can I repair ...
2
votes
1answer
177 views
What's the best way to reattach a piece of siding?
I just noticed I have a piece of HardiePlank® that is coming off the side of my house. What would be the best way to reattach it? I have no experience with the stuff, but it seems like a simple diy ...
3
votes
2answers
445 views
Why won't my gas dryer stay lit?
My Amana gas clothes dryer is not heating properly. The gas ignites when the dryer is first started, but after the gas turns off the igniter glows and then turns off, without relighting the gas.
Many ...
5
votes
5answers
4k views
My dryer heating element broke in two: Can I just wrap the ends together?
I have a Whirlpool Estate dryer that recently quit drying. I narrowed the problem down to the heating element, then removed the element assembly and found a clean break in the coil at one end. A ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I fill holes around a light switch?
I have a light switch where the plaster board around the edges of the face plate have broken away.
I was thinking of using some kind of filler like Polycell to fill the holes but I'm not really ...
5
votes
1answer
133 views
Does flaw in asphalt driveway need to be repaired; and if so, how?
I put in a new asphalt driveway a couple of years ago. There is a visible "joint" where they stopped laying asphalt while waiting for a second load to arrive. At this joint a chunk of asphalt has ...
3
votes
2answers
109 views
First time home owner - books to introduce different systems and things to know (Closing in another 2 weeks)
We are closing on our first home (townhome built in 2000 in NJ) purchase in another 2 weeks, we are very excited at the same time concerned about not knowing anything about homes. Is there any books ...
10
votes
2answers
3k views
How do I replace an axe handle?
I have an axe with a damaged handle that needs replacing, but I don't know how to do it. What tools and techniques should I use to get the job done?
0
votes
1answer
158 views
What is the best removable insulation material?
There is a crack in a wall that I would like to fill with some removable insulation.
It must be removable, as such it should just be a temporary solution.
I know of rockwool and glasswool, but don't ...
17
votes
9answers
6k views
What are the most important things to check/do after buying a home?
We are in the process of purchasing a home that is over 20 years old. What are some of the most important things we should check/patch/do right away to make sure the home is running correctly and ...
4
votes
1answer
372 views
How do I get a yellow stain out of a marble sink?
I saw a similar question but it didn't give me an answer that helped. I recently began to replace the faucets and spout in one of out bathroom sinks. The marble that was covered by the previous chrome ...
1
vote
0answers
181 views
How can I determine the cause of a noisy spin cycle in my INDESIT washing machine?
My washing machine has suddenly started being much noisier during the spin cycle. It doesn't seem to be vibrating or knocking/banging. It's just got a much louder whine when spinning fast than it ...
2
votes
0answers
275 views
How do I replace a Zanussi washing machine's front door seal?
I have a zanussi jet system 1200, model wjd1257w. It is a washing and drying machine. It leaks water, I guess at the spin cycle or perhaps before it. I searched and found out that it could be either ...
3
votes
2answers
322 views
How can I build a support onto a stud in order to support a handrail?
I need to repair a stair handrail that has come out of my plaster wall. One end of the rail was not connected to a stud, so has come lose. It is a nice railing, so I would prefer not to buy a new ...
4
votes
1answer
346 views
How can I replace the seal on the bottom of my shower door?
I am trying to replace the seal on the bottom of my shower door. Any ideas what it is called and/or what I could replace it with? The "Shower Door Company" of Atlanta, Georgia made the door, which is ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
How can I repair a chip in partical board table top?
I got this table from IKEA, and it was delivered with damage in it, unfortunately I did not recognize it as I had to check 10 packages but this is another story.
As you can see in the picture there ...
2
votes
1answer
454 views
What is needed to fix or replace a cracked old seal on a refrigerator door?
I'd like to replace or maybe just gum up the seal of my 1990's Maytag refrigerator. It's really quite a beast and the last time a repair man came (to extract a receipt which made its way into the ...
1
vote
1answer
396 views
What can I use to repair a crack in a plastic AC Condenser Drip pan?
I've currently got an oldish furnace (early '90s Lennox), with an A/C system. The blower motor burnt up on me last week, and I just had it replaced. It turns out that the reason for the motor going, ...
0
votes
1answer
277 views
How can I repair a particle-board dresser after sanding part of it?
I have a dresser that is painted white with water stains on one end. I sanded and found particle board underneath. I can not get the damage to smooth out over the water stained end. What can I do to ...
1
vote
2answers
132 views
Would it be safe to leave charred wood on a deck until repairs can be made?
Had a small fire incident outside on our wood deck. There didn't appear to be any structural damage to any of the supporting material, just a few surface boards which need to be replaced.
Can the ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I block or fill out a letterbox hole in my door?
I have a letterbox in my front door that is never used, so I would like to remove it and fill the hole, preferably so it doesn't look like there was ever one there.
Or insert something that fills the ...
4
votes
1answer
536 views
How can I fix a toilet that flushes incompletely?
The toilet in one of our bathrooms routinely flushes incompletely. It does not clog or back up, but it takes several fill/flush cycles to get all the "material" to go down. It just seems to be weak ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I repair a section of carpet that a cat scratched up?
Much to my displeasure, my (wife's) cat has torn up a large section (2'x6') of carpet. Eventually we would like to sell the house and this would definitely be noticed. Is there any way to repair the ...
4
votes
1answer
548 views
How can I repair a door that a dog chewed on?
My dog is an escape artist and managed to get out of her crate today. She then tried to chew her way through my bedroom door to escape confinement. Though unsuccessful, she did damage a significant ...
2
votes
2answers
344 views
How do I cover up small holes in plaster ceiling?
I accidentally punched these on the ceiling while moving stuff around. They're around half a centimeter in diameter, and the ceiling seems to be plaster.
How can I mask/cover these up the most ...
4
votes
1answer
416 views
What do I need to do to restore a wooden entry door?
I'm going to give it a try rather then buying a new door.
I have a wooden door (veneer on both sides) with some decorative mouldings. My plan is to use a heat gun to get as much paint off as possible ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
How can I repair screws in furniture with stripped holes?
I'm trying to repair a piece of furniture from which several screws have pulled out, stripping the wood. It's a lift top coffee table, such as this. (This is NOT the model in question, this just ...
6
votes
2answers
414 views
How can I cheaply refresh parquet in an apartment?
We've recently rented an apartment with seriously damaged parquet. Since the deal is "take it or leave it", we've decided to "mend" the parquet ourselves.
Dictionary :) Sorry for my bad english, I ...
1
vote
1answer
202 views
What causes a glass block to crack? Does it cause any structural damage?
I just found that there is a crack in one of my glass blocks. I noticed that it seems to have water inside. What is the likely cause of this, and how can I repair it? Should I be worried about ...
0
votes
3answers
230 views
How should I approach my landlord about doing basic repairs on their house? [closed]
I have a good relationship with my landlords, and there are some small improvements that I would be willing to do to the house in exchange for, depending on the situation, either
permission
...
4
votes
1answer
680 views
How long do evaporator coils last in a home AC system?
I was going through my blog roll this morning when I saw that someone had asked this elsewhere. I figured it would be a good question to ask.
In general, how long do evaporator coils last in a home ...
1
vote
2answers
153 views
How to level a tilted free-standing closet
I have a very tall free-standing wooden closet, similar to the one depicted here, but with glass doors. The floor it sits on slopes down to the right so I laid a long piece of wood down under that ...
3
votes
1answer
241 views
How do I fix a fallen-off facade?
We live in a block of apartments made from bricks, and the wall outside one window is damaged. We have a clothes hanger attached to that wall, and one screw has already fallen off, and wall around the ...
6
votes
3answers
379 views
How to replace just a few boards in hardwood floor
I want to replace a few boards in our pre-finished bamboo hardwood floor. After i take the damaged boards out and put the new boards in, how do i get the last board in? How do i get the existing floor ...
0
votes
2answers
2k views
Top Loading Washer Leaks from bottom of machine.. Usually Worth Repairing, or Time to Upgrade?
I have an old whirlpool top loading LA8800 (Maytag rebranding?) washer that leaks from the bottom.. is this usually a simple (and cheap) gasket type repair, or would now be a good time to get a more ...
5
votes
4answers
332 views
Would upgrading my basement with sandstone blocks be worthwhile?
Having a look at an old farmhouse that is for sale in the area, and as with most houses in the area of this age the foundation is built on red sandstone blocks, around five feet deep, with a dirt ...
3
votes
2answers
137 views
Is caulk a good temporary fix for a gash in fascia board?
I was helping a friend with her house, and it turns out there is a pretty sizable gash in her fascia board right above where the gutter is nailed on. It's oval-ish, about 6 to 8 inches wide by 2 to 4 ...
3
votes
2answers
374 views
How to repair cracks in concrete overhang over entrance
I have a slab of concrete over the front entrance of my house with some serious cracks in it. I don't actually know what the proper name for it is, which makes this difficult to Google - so I've ...
1
vote
2answers
3k views
How to fix a leaking cold/hot water faucet
Our hot water faucet has been leaking (on its own, and also when the cold water faucet is turned on). Our building technician diagnosed a problem with the valves and recommended that we replace both ...
2
votes
1answer
223 views
Should a leak repair take effect immediately?
I had a repair job earlier to fix a leaking hot water cylinder and the guy who repaired it replaced the valves. The cylinder continued leaking for a while but eventually stopped after a few hours ...
2
votes
2answers
3k views
How do I prepare a chipped, peeling, deeply cracked wall for painting?
I recently moved into a new apartment where it was understood I would handle the maintenance if they provided the materials. This was an attractive proposition. I am little excited to get my hands ...
4
votes
3answers
827 views
Repair gouges in a particle board desk?
A few years back, I bought a $500 studio producer desk. It's made of particle board and has been through more than a few moves and has received a proper beating over the years:
Is there any way for ...
4
votes
3answers
544 views
Why is the small white box near my fridge's compressor making an incessant clicking sound?
I have a small Frigidaire (model FRT045GB) ~9 months old (but shockingly outside of warranty) which recently started clicking. Actually it almost sounds like a small water pump?
I have been able to ...
4
votes
1answer
164 views
How do I fix a vinyl covering that is coming away from the outside deck support beam?
I live in a townhouse with a deck over the garage. I noticed that under the deck, along the board that is on the outer edge, some of the vinyl covering is popping out of place and hanging down a ...
4
votes
1answer
133 views
Refastening a cabinet door
A cabinet door in my kitchen detached from the cabinet- the screws are about 1/2" long and weren't enough to hold the door in place. The screws are short to keep them from poking out the back side of ...
2
votes
1answer
393 views
temporarily seal leaky pipe under sink?
Going to the hardware store right now to fix this leak (see crack in pvc in the photos). My main question is: what's the best product to get to temporarily fix this so we can use the sink until the ...
1
vote
3answers
183 views
Identify a washing machine part - the exit port
I'm trying to identify (= find the name for) a washing machine component.
Unfortunately, I don't have this part - I gave it to my landlord who is looking for a replacement.
It's basically the exit ...
7
votes
2answers
697 views
Is there any way to fix a hinge pulled out of particle board cabinet door?
I hit my head on the open door cabinet over the sink, yet again, and slammed the door shut in anger. Adding insult to injury, the whole hinge pulled out of the particle board and took a big chunk of ...
