15 Fabulous Fast Fixes

Cut a V-notch through the full length of the crack, about 5mm deep, removing all loose wall material.

Embed paper tape in jointing compound.

Apply additional layers of compound, feathering the edges.

Sand the surface between each coat.

Corks attached near the base of the back of a door make an inexpensive and easily replaced door bumper.

To make a quick and easy door bumper for a child’s room, place a rubber ball in a sock and hang it from the inside doorknob.

If the squeaky hinge doesn’t have a removable pin, spray penetrating lubricant such as WD-40 down from the top and also where the leaves interlock.

For stubborn door locks, always use a dry lubricant such as graphite powder.

If you’ve got a door hinge that squeals, a little petroleum jelly will rid it of that annoying wail.

The petroleum jelly works its way into the hinge and adheres well, so won’t run off the hinge like oil and other lubricants.

1. Loosen each hinge pin by tapping a nail up from underneath.

Once the pin is loose, pull it out, lifting up on the door handle to relieve pressure if the pin binds.

Keep the door closed and only work on one hinge at a time.

2. Lightly coat the hinge pin with petroleum jelly and dab a little in the top of the pin slot. Reinsert the pin and wipe off any excess. Open and close the door a few times.

It’s hard to paint over water stains, they usually reappear within a few days.

One solution is to seal the stained area with pigmented shellac or a stain sealer or bleed sealer before painting.

Another good stain sealer is high-opacity undercoat.

1. Punch finish nails all the way through with a nail punch or pin punch, so you don’t have to pull them.

This technique works best on finish trim that’s less than 15mm thick.

2. To prevent damage to the face side of removed trim, simply grab the nail from the back with pincers and lever the nail out.

Its head will pull through with little damage to the trim.