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Repairs

Amazon Shoppers Are Raving About This $15 Wall-Repair ToolLife
It was bought 9,000 times last month.
Sarah M. Vazquez
Aug 16, 2024
How to Fix Broken Zippers
PROJECTS & IMPROVEMENTS
These are common problems with surprisingly simple solutions.
Ashley Poskin
Jul 12, 2024
Learn This Skill, and You’ll Never Have to Toss a Broken Lamp AgainHome Projects
You'll only need a few basic tools, plus about $15 in materials.
Megan Baker Detloff
Dec 11, 2023
How to Unclog a Toilet With or Without a PlungerHome Projects
There's a right way, and a wrong way.
Shifrah Combiths
Dec 11, 2023
How To Recaulk a BathtubHome Projects
If you’re looking for a way to make your bathroom feel cleaner and brighter, try recaulking your bathtub. It takes a couple of hours to remove the old caulk and apply the new caulk, but it’s definitely worth it! Here’s how I recaulked my own bathtub in a few easy steps. Ready to give your bathtub a makeover? Great! Here’s what you need to get started.
Kate Legere
Dec 11, 2023
9 Game-Changing Amazon Finds That’ll Rescue Old, Sagging, or Stained FurnitureLife
There's no need to spend hundreds on new furniture!
Nikol Slatinska
Sep 7, 2023
The Ingenious, Easy Amazon Hack That Will Make Old Leather Sofas Look Like New AgainLife
It works in seconds.
Nic Dobija-Nootens
Apr 10, 2023
This Is What All Those Spooky Sounds Around Your House MeanHome Projects
And how to fix them.
Olivia Harvey
Nov 9, 2022
4 Things First-Time Homeowners Are Never Prepared ForReal Estate
According to real estate experts.
Jennifer Prince
Nov 7, 2022
The 3 Things Plumbers Recommend You Have on Hand at All Times
HOME PROJECTS
How to fix a clogged drain, from the experts!
Ashley Abramson
Oct 23, 2022
How To Patch a Hole in Drywall or Plaster WallsHome Projects
Repairing medium to larger-sized holes in plaster and drywall isn’t quite as difficult as one might think. Wall and ceiling repair patches made from fiberglass and perforated aluminum are excellent solutions that help to get the job done in just a few simple steps. Did I forget to mention how easy they are to use? So easy. Upon moving into our new (very old) home, we noticed that almost every wall had a dent or large hole in it from constant contact with a door knob.
Ashley Poskin
Sep 15, 2022
How to Plump Up an Old, Saggy Sofa for Around $40Home Projects
Get more mileage out of your well-loved basics.
Ashley Poskin
Sep 9, 2022
How To Install a Dimmer SwitchLife
Dimmer switches are great, not only do they provide opportunity for mood lighting and ambiance, but also save money due to reduced power usage. Almost all the lights in my home are on a dimmer switch, except for the bedrooms, where we’d actually like to have them the most.
Rachel Wray Thompson
Jul 18, 2020
Before & After: A Revived Wooden MirrorHome Projects
After spending four muddy days under flood water this mirror was on top of a pile of trash, destined for the tip. Then I got sentimental and retrieved it. It was too wet and filthy to bring inside so it spent the next 6 months outside before I finally decided it was time to make it work or let it go. I toyed with the idea of painting it bright yellow but in the end I couldn’t do it, so I kept it simple and tried to return it to its former glory.
Sarah Starkey
Jul 17, 2020
How To Repair Chipped ChinaHome Projects
I love delicate porcelain. Plates, bowls, vases — I’ve even started collecting pieces from White Forest Pottery, much to my wallet’s chagrin. What I don’t love are the moments right after you accidentally chip one of your prized possessions. But before writing them off completely, I thought I’d see if there was anyway I could salvage my beauties. While I realize they will never be 100% perfect again, my attempt at salvaging them was quite worthwhile.
Kimber Watson
May 11, 2020
3 Tools and 10 Minutes Are All You Need to Silence Annoying SqueaksHome Projects
This is the easiest chore ever to cross off your list.
Megan Baker Detloff
Apr 21, 2020
How To Replace a Light SwitchHome Projects
No matter how much effort is put into a well decorated room, an old yellowed light switch can totally distract from the overall design. At less than $2 a pop, you have no excuse not to replace them! It’s an easy, low budget fix that can add major appeal to a room. Screwdriver Needle nose pliers New light switch Okay, so before you do anything, get to your circuit breaker or fuse panel and shut off all electric in the room where you are working.
Ashley Poskin
Dec 19, 2019
Renovation Project Secret: How To Lay A Perfect Bead of Caulk Quickly & Neatly, Every TimeHome Projects
While in the process of diy-ing a bathroom renovation, I discovered a key process “secret” worth learning. Laying the perfect bead of caulk might not sound very exciting, but is an essential process to know for any home owner. My first attempt to lay caulk wasn’t so bad. I was trying to seal an apron sink we just put in the kitchen. My caulk work turned out nicely, but, boy, was it tedious, not to mention super messy!
June Bhongjan
Dec 19, 2019
DIY Project: How To Remove and Install a Kitchen SinkHome Projects
Earlier this week, I showed you my newly renovated sink and backsplash area in my kitchen. If you’re interested in learning how to remove and install your own sink, follow these steps to complete the process yourself! A new kitchen sink that fits both width, length and depth of the existing space Plumber’s putty Your brand new sink!
Andie Powers
Dec 19, 2019
How To Install Window Insulation FilmHome Projects
With an average savings of over $15/window during heating season, insulating your windows with plastic film makes whole lot of sense—especially if you live in an old, drafty house. And if you have any windows that don’t open, keep those insulated year-round for extra savings on cooling costs during the summer months. Here’s how. Window insulation kit Extra window tape (optional) Ladder Scissors Measuring tape Hairdryer An extra set of hands (optional) 1.
Ashley Poskin
Dec 19, 2019
How To Repair Chips on Porcelain Tubs and SinksCleaning
I recently moved into a very old home and inherited a gorgeous claw foot tub. It’s pink, gigantic, and nearly perfect in every way, except for one issue: the porcelain around the drain has been worn away, leaving a very unsightly, uninviting rusty ring in my otherwise dreamy tub. While I have plans to keep this tub around, its not currently in the budget to have it refinished.
Ashley Poskin
Jun 5, 2019
How To Swap a Two-Prong for a Three-Prong OutletHome Projects
It’s rare to find two-prong outlets in homes these days. Landlords and home owners have slowly switched over to three-prong outlets as more and more devices and appliances need them to power up. Occasionally though, you move into a place that doesn’t have a three-prong outlet where you need one, so how do you remedy the situation? You switch out your two-prong for a three-prong, but there’s a lot to consider before you start rewiring your apartment.
Sonia Zjawinski
May 8, 2019
How to Quickly & Easily Spruce Up Wood FurnitureCleaning
I’m the kind of DIY-er who imagines elaborate and wonderful furniture re-finishing ideas and is consistently too busy, lazy, or pre-occupied to execute them. But in desperate need of bedroom dressers I dropped $70 for a pair from craigslist that had good bones, but were grimy, scratched and in need of help.
Sarah Rainwater
May 6, 2019
How To Patch a Hole in the WallHome Projects
A nice big piece of art can hide a world of trouble on the wall behind it — and a few of my pieces did until I recently discovered how little effort it took to repair those minor accidents. I’m never really sure what I’ll get when I start working on the walls in my home—might be plaster, might be drywall, might be a layer of each— so my first (and let’s be honest, second) attempt at trying to put a screw in the wall didn’t go so well.
Ashley Poskin
May 4, 2019
How To Strip Paint From HardwareCleaning
Not all painters are created equal — especially those who ch0ose to slop paint over beautiful, antique hardware. It may seem like a daunting task to return those beautiful bits to their original glory, but don’t be fooled. Homeowners and renters alike can remedy this problem with just a few supplies, none of which are toxic. If you live in an old apartment building you’ve probably got interesting design details hiding in your hardware just beneath a few layers of paint.
Ashley Poskin
May 4, 2019
Drafts No More: How To Add Weatherstripping to Your DoorsHome Projects
Keep the cold out (and the heat in) with these simple tricks!
Ashley Poskin
Apr 30, 2019
How To Dry Out (and Hopefully Save) Wet Phones and TabletsHome Projects
A good majority of us have been there- that moment when you realize your phone is headed straight for a big puddle/tub/bowl of liquid. The moment that practically guarantees you have to buy a very expensive replacement. But if you’re quick enough, you may be able to throw one last Hail Mary and revive your digital device from the brink of death with this pantry staple. 2-4 cups instant rice Large zip top bag 1. As soon as possible (seconds count, act fast!
Ashley Poskin
Apr 4, 2019
How To Replace an Electrical OutletHome Projects
Are your outlets holding plugs nice and snug? If not, it might be time for you to change them out. Yes, fatigued outlets are a nuisance but they can also be potential fire hazards. And what about the appearance of your outlets? Are they old and outdated and could stand a new look? Don’t be intimidated! It’s not as hard as it looks (or expensive!) to replace an electrical outlet. ScrewdriverNeedle nose pliersNew electrical outlet (Also called a receptacle.
Ashley Poskin
Feb 24, 2019
How To Repair and Prep Cracked and Crumbling Walls for PaintingHome Projects
Repairing small cracks and holes in your walls is an essential home improvement skill. It’s quick and easy to do on your own, once you know how. We’ve gathered together a few good tips and photos to show you how its done; check it out, gather your supplies and give it a try…you can do it! Light weight spackle or non-shrink joint compoundPutty knifeFine grit sanding block 1. Sand around the crack or use a putty knife to remove any loose paint or drywall. 2.
June Bhongjan
Feb 24, 2019
How I Moved & Refinished This Clawfoot Tub (And Lived To Tell The Tale)Home Projects
There are two groups of people when it comes to cast iron tubs: those who believe in their preservation, and those who believe in the almighty sledgehammer. If you’re the latter, this post is not for you. For those of you who believe in preservation and love a good soak in a nice, deep tub, we think that tub should look its best. Here’s how we took ours from an eyesore to eye candy.
Ashley Poskin
May 25, 2016
How To: Strip Hardware with Baking SodaHome Projects
So the thing about living in a rental is that someone lived there before us. Someone lazy who did not tape off the hardware on the doors or remove it entirely before painting. We are a little frustrated by the fact that all the hardware is encrusted with paint and nothing works correctly. We go to the hardware store and we stare at the shelves and we wonder: which product will best remove the paint?
Abby Stone
Feb 29, 2008