Repairs and Renovations. Please read through the useful hints, tips and how to guides below.

To correct a squeak
washing-up liquid

Apply a few drops for lubrication.

To correct sticking doors
carbon paper

Lay carbon paper repeatedly round door opening while you open and close the door. The paper will leave smudges where the wood needs to be sanded or rubbed with candle wax.

Mark the depth of a hole by wrapping a piece of coloured tape around the bit or slide a slice of plastic wall plug onto the bit and position it.

To drill overhead
cream carton

Use a long bit and drill through the bottom of a small cream or yoghurt carton. Leave it on the bit so that it can catch scraps and dust.

To remove a broken bulb

Turn off electricity at the main switch, push a cork into the jagged edge of the bulb and twist out anti-clockwise.

To re-wire a plug

Twist wire around the screw-in terminals clockwise so that as you tighten the screws the wire will tighten too. Lessens the risk of loose wires touching.

To patch neatly

Place patching material over the hole or damage and cut patch through material and floor covering with a sharp knife. Lift out the bottom piece with the hole or damage, and the top piece should fit exactly.

To treat salt-corrosion
phosphoric acid

Paint on, then cover with any paint with a high zinc content.

To drill or nail
adhesive tape

Use a strip of tape when drilling or nailing plaster to prevent the edges crumbling or breaking away.

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Press tiles into place with an old book to prevent denting them.

To cut

long knife | boiling water

Dip knife in boiling water and apply hot knife to polystyrene.

To drill
adhesive tape
Use a strip of tape when drilling to prevent drill skidding off the shiny surface.