To re-caulk a bathroom like a pro, remove every bit of the old caulk, clean and completely dry the joint, mask both sides with painter’s tape, apply a steady bead of mildew-resistant bathroom caulk, smooth it in one pass, pull the tape while the caulk is still wet, and let […]
Category: DIY & Home
How to Replace Old Window Weatherstripping
To replace old window weatherstripping, identify your window type, remove the worn material and any leftover adhesive, clean and dry the surface, then install new weatherstripping designed for that window’s moving parts. Measure carefully and choose a product that seals when the window is closed but still lets it open […]
How to Fix Cracks in Interior Walls
Most interior wall cracks are cosmetic. They’re caused by normal settling, seasonal changes in temperature and humidity, or drywall seams and fasteners shifting over time. To fix them properly, open the crack slightly, cover it with drywall tape, apply thin coats of joint compound, then sand, prime, and paint. Filling […]
How to Repair Small Holes in Drywall
To repair small holes in drywall, fill nail and screw holes with lightweight spackle, and cover holes up to a few inches wide with a self-adhesive mesh patch before applying thin coats of joint compound. Once it’s dry, sand it smooth, prime the patch, and paint. Most small drywall repairs […]
How to Fix a Squeaky Door
If your door squeaks every time you open or close it, the problem is usually related to the hinges, hinge pins, or friction between moving parts. In many cases, you can fix it in a few minutes with basic household supplies: remove each hinge pin, clean off old grime or […]
How to Fix a Door That Won’t Close Properly
Most doors that won’t close properly have one of four problems: loose hinge screws that let the door sag, a strike plate that doesn’t line up with the latch, wood that has swollen from humidity, or something in the way, such as thick paint or new weatherstripping. In many cases, […]
10 Home Repairs Every Beginner Should Learn
The best beginner home repairs are low-risk, need only basic tools, and come up again and again: fixing a squeaky door, adjusting a door that won’t latch, patching drywall, sealing drafts, re-caulking a tub, stopping a running toilet, clearing a slow drain, and knowing how to shut off water and […]
The Ultimate Seasonal Home Maintenance Checklist
Seasonal home maintenance means preparing your house for the weather that’s coming next. In spring, you repair winter damage and get cooling ready. In summer, you handle exterior projects while the weather is dry. In fall, you clear gutters, seal drafts, and service heating. In winter, you protect pipes, watch […]
How to Create a Home Maintenance Budget
To create a home maintenance budget, list your home’s major systems and their ages, estimate what routine upkeep and future replacements will cost, add those up into a yearly target, and divide it into a monthly amount you save in a separate account. Common rules of thumb, like setting aside […]
20 Things to Repair Instead of Replace
Many household problems that look like “time for a new one” are really a worn part: a toilet flapper, a faucet cartridge, a door hinge, a refrigerator gasket, or a strip of weatherstripping. Repairing the part usually costs a fraction of replacement, takes less time than shopping for something new, […]