c/diy-fixes

My dad insisted you should always use a metal putty knife for drywall, but I ruined a patch job last month because of it.

My kitchen sink clogged up right before a dinner party last month

Question about fixing a leaky bathroom faucet

I tried to replace the cartridge in my Moen faucet, thinking it would take 30 minutes. It actually took me 3 hours because the old part was totally stuck and I didn't have the right puller tool. Some people say you should just call a plumber for stuff like this, but others insist it's worth the hassle to learn. What's your take on when a DIY job becomes more trouble than it's worth?

Had to pick between a $40 faucet cartridge or a whole new unit for my kitchen sink

Went with the cartridge and a new set of O-rings, and it fixed the drip completely in about twenty minutes. Anyone know a good trick for getting those old, stuck cartridges out without stripping the plastic?

Pro tip: a cheap plastic putty knife saved my kitchen floor last week

I spilled a whole bottle of super glue on my vinyl plank floor and panicked, thinking I'd have to replace a whole section. After letting it dry for a full day, I carefully slid a thin plastic putty knife from my toolbox under the edge and popped the whole dried blob right up without a scratch. Has anyone else found a weird tool that saved a big mess?

I finally tried the vinegar trick on my shower head after months of low pressure

The choice was between buying a new shower head for about 40 bucks or trying the old bag of vinegar trick. I filled a plastic bag with white vinegar, tied it around the head, and left it overnight. In the morning, the water pressure was way better and it only cost me a couple dollars. Has anyone else found a simple fix that saved them from a bigger purchase?

I used to think wood filler was the only way to fix a gouged floorboard

For years I'd mix up that putty and try to match the stain, but it always looked fake. Then my neighbor in Austin showed me how to use a wax repair stick from a brand called Mohawk. You just melt it in, let it harden, and buff it smooth, and the color match is way better. Has anyone else tried this method on their hardwood floors?

Why does nobody talk about the toilet paper holder at the diner on Route 9?

I stopped at the Route 9 Diner last weekend and their bathroom had a toilet paper roll held up with a zip tie and a paperclip. It actually worked better than my fancy spring-loaded one at home that always jams. Has anyone else found a better fix for a busted TP holder than just buying a new one?

I think everyone's wrong about using vinegar to clean shower heads. Mine looked worse after 6 months.

I finally saw why everyone's caulk lines look so messy now

I was helping my cousin redo her bathroom in Omaha last month and she kept using the old tube of caulk without cutting the tip small enough. It made these thick, uneven beads that just looked sloppy and took forever to dry. How do you guys get that clean, thin line without it being a total mess?

I finally fixed my squeaky floorboard with a trick from a hardware store guy

There was one board in my hallway that drove me nuts for a year. I went to get wood glue, but the older guy at Ace Hardware told me to try sprinkling baby powder in the crack first. I did it yesterday, worked it in with a putty knife, and the squeak is totally gone. Who knew it could be that simple? Has anyone else tried this or have a different quiet fix?

Don't buy that 'miracle' grout cleaner from the TV ad

I saw an ad for a spray that promised to make old tile grout look new in 5 minutes. I bought two bottles for $35 each because my bathroom floor was a mess. I followed the directions exactly, sprayed it on, waited, and scrubbed. It did nothing but leave a weird film, and I ended up having to rent a steamer anyway. Has anyone actually found a grout cleaner that works without destroying your arms?

My kitchen faucet started spraying sideways right before dinner last night

I was filling a pot and it just went crazy, hitting the window and the wall. I shut it off, took the aerator off the end, and found a tiny piece of white plastic stuck inside. It must have broken off from somewhere in the line. I cleaned it out, put it back together, and it works fine now. Has anyone else had random junk show up in their faucet like that?

I thought the baking soda and vinegar drain trick was just a silly internet hack

My kitchen sink in my apartment was draining slow for a week, and I tried it as a last resort before calling the super. Poured half a cup of baking soda down, followed by a cup of vinegar, let it fizz for ten minutes, then flushed with hot water. It actually worked and has kept it clear for a month now. Has anyone else had a simple fix like this work when you were sure it wouldn't?

A leaky kitchen faucet in my old Portland apartment taught me a simple fix

I was about to call a plumber when my neighbor, Frank, showed me how to replace just the cartridge inside the handle. We used a generic 1/4 turn cartridge from the hardware store, which cost about $12. Has anyone else fixed a drip this way, or do you usually replace the whole faucet?

My neighbor said my caulk line looked like a kid did it

I was sealing my kitchen backsplash last month and thought a thick bead was better for coverage. My neighbor Frank, who used to do tile work, came over and said, 'That line is so fat, a kid could have done it with a crayon.' I was annoyed but he showed me how to use masking tape and a damp finger for a clean, thin line. It took me 15 extra minutes but looks way more professional. Has anyone else gotten a piece of advice that stung at first but actually helped?

My basement door was sticking and I had to pick between planing it down or moving the hinges.

I measured the gap and it was off by about a quarter inch at the top, so I decided to just adjust the top hinge instead of taking the door off. It took maybe 20 minutes with a screwdriver and now it closes smooth. Has anyone else had better luck with planing a door down instead?

I finally fixed 100 squeaky floorboards in my old house

It took me about six months of working on weekends, but I just hit that number. I live in a 1920s bungalow, and the noise was driving me nuts. My method was just a tube of powdered graphite and a syringe to get it deep into the joints. Has anyone found a better long term fix for old pine floors?

Appreciation post: My $12 tube of clear silicone saved a whole bathroom floor

People keep using that white grout caulk around tubs and it cracks in a year. I saw it fail in my own guest bath after six months. The clear silicone sticks better and moves with the house. It's been three years now with no leaks. Anyone got a different fix for that gap?

My old drill finally gave out after 15 years and 2 houses

I was putting up a shelf in my kitchen when the motor just quit, and the repair guy said it had over 8,000 hours on it. That number blew my mind because I never kept track, I just used it for everything from hanging pictures to building a deck. It mattered because it made me realize how much value you can get from a simple tool if you just take care of it. Anyone have a favorite brand for a replacement that might last that long?

My bathroom fan was making a racket until I swapped out the old plastic blades for a metal one from the local supply house.

The old ones had warped over the years, and the new set, which cost about $15, took maybe 20 minutes to install and now it's whisper quiet. Anyone have a good method for cleaning the ductwork without making a huge mess?

I was fixing a squeaky floorboard in my 1950s bungalow and realized the original nails had worked loose over time.

I drove in some 2-inch finish nails at an angle next to the old ones, which pulled the board tight and silenced the squeak for good, but does anyone have a better method for old pine floors?

I was using a flathead screwdriver on a Phillips head screw for years

My neighbor in Phoenix saw me struggling and asked why I didn't just use the right bit. I felt like an idiot. What's a simple tool mistake you made for way too long?

I just wasted $80 on a 'quick fix' for my leaky kitchen faucet

My faucet was dripping bad, and instead of taking it apart, I bought this fancy 'sealant gel' kit online for $80. The ad made it look like you just squeeze it in and you're done. Well, it clogged the whole cartridge and made the drip worse. I ended up having to buy the actual replacement cartridge for $25 anyway and spent my whole Saturday fixing it right. Has anyone else fallen for one of those 'no-tool' repair gimmicks? What was your experience?

Finally picked a fix for my sticking kitchen drawer

I had a drawer that would not slide right for months. It was either sand down the wood or add some kind of wax. I went with the wax because I was scared of taking off too much wood and making it worse. I used a plain old candle stub, the kind you get at a diner. Rubbed it on the top edges of the drawer where it touched the frame. Did it three times, opening and closing it each time to spread it around. Now it glides like it's brand new, no more yanking or jamming. Total cost was zero dollars and about ten minutes of my time. Has anyone tried the sanding method and had it work better?