15 Fabulous Fast Fixes

To make wallpaper easier to remove, first slash it diagonally every 300mm with a utility knife.

Then mix a 50:50 solution of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle and squirt it behind the cut edges.

Let the adhesive soften for a few minutes, then scrape off the paper with a putty knife or metal spatula.

TOP TIP:

If a timber drawer drags, sand its runners lightly and then rub them with a candle or a bar of soap.

If the timber has swollen during damp weather, lightly sand or plane the front lip of the drawer and along the tops of the sides and back.

Use graphite or dry lubricant to lubricate drawers with metal slides.

To remove it, drive the claw of a pinch bar under the nail head and lever it out. The claw can even reach buried nail heads.

1. Cut a square hole around the tear using a straightedge and sharp utility knife.

Keep the hole as small as possible, and leave at least 10mm of old screen next to the metal frame.

2. Cut a patch of fibreglass screen that will overlap each edge by 10mm.

Position wax paper under the window screen to keep the adhesive from sticking to the workbench.

Centre the patch over the hole, apply a bead of adhesive over the edges of the patch, and spread the adhesive through the patch and window screen using a flat offcut.

Scrub paint specks and mortar smudges from brick surfaces with a piece of broken brick that’s the same colour as the brick you are cleaning.

Don’t use the face of the brick; it is harder than the core and can cause scratches.

Use the broken surface.

Fitting a shelf to a corner that’s not square is easily overcome.

Slide the shelf into the corner, keeping the long back edge tight to the wall.

If the shelf fits between two walls, cut it about 10mm too long and set it in at an angle.

Attach a pencil to a thin offcut as a spacer then run it along the wall to scribe the cut line.

Saw along the line, then repeat the process on the opposite end of the shelf and it will fit perfectly.

Many people are surprised to learn that professional painters use soft, coloured putty to fill nail holes in stained timber work.

This eliminates the nearly impossible job of staining wood filler to match the surrounding timber.

Several colours are available, but to get an exact match you may have to blend two colours.

You can even use two or three colours on the same piece of timber to match areas of light and dark grain exactly.

Coloured putty is available from specialist paint stores and hardware stores.

Press matching coloured putty into nail holes with the tip of your finger after staining and varnishing.

Then smooth it off and polish the area with a dry cloth.

For added durability and to help hide the filler, apply a new coat of compatible finish over the filled timber work.

Tip: Don’t use water-based varnish over coloured putty

1. Cut out crushed or damaged plasterboard with a sharp utility knife.

Bevel the cut and don’t leave any fuzzy bits that would be hard to cover with the patching compound.

Reattach the plasterboard on either side of the nail with screws.

Punch the popped nail below the surface.

2. Fill the damage and cover the new screws with patching compound.

Use a putty knife to apply the compound and smooth it out.

Apply two or three coats, allowing each to dry completely before re-coating.

Beauty is in the detail.

Using a board to guide your saw as you trim your decking leaves an edge crisper than the steadiest hand can make.

Secure a straight board to the decking as a guide for your circular saw.

Measure the distance from the edge of the baseplate to the edge of the blade and position the board to allow about 30mm overhang for the decking.

Run the saw along the edge, keeping it parallel to the decking and tight to the guide.

If you use a 42 x 19mm timber like we did, sight it down from one end to make sure you get it perfectly straight.

You’ll have to cut the last two boards off freehand.

Mark the entire cut with a chalkline and keep sawing in a straight, steady motion.

To make your sash windows run smoothly, lubricate the channels with silicone spray or a bar of soap.