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12 HOME REPAIR JOBS TO LIFT YOU OUT OF WINTER'S FUNK Accomplishments - even little ones - go a long way toward a sunny outlook. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy, quick home repair chores you can do when you're mired in the thick of winter. For max efficiency, make a to-do list ahead of time and shop for all the tools and supplies in one trip. On your work days, put the basics in a caddy and carry it from room to room, checking off completed tasks as you speed through them.  SAGGING TOWEL RACK OR WOBBLY T.P. HOLDERS Unscrew the fixture and look for the culprit. It's probably a wimpy, push-in type plastic drywall anchor. Pull that out (or just poke it through the wall) and replace it with something more substantial. Toggle bolts are strongest, and threaded types such as E-Z Ancor are easy to install. SILENCE SQUEAKY DOOR HINGES Eliminate squeaks by squirting a puff of powdered graphite alongside the pin where the hinge turns. If the door sticks, plane off a bit of the wood, then touch up the paint so the surgery isn't noticeable. STOP CREAKY FLOOR BOARDS They'll shush if you fasten them down better. Anti-squeak repair kits, such as Squeeeeek No More, feature specially designed screws that are easy to conceal. A low-cost alternative: Dust a little talcum powder into the seam where floorboards meet - the talcum acts as a lubricant to quiet boards that rub against each other.  REMOVE RUST ON SHUTOFF VALVES Check under sinks and behind toilets for the shutoff valves on your water supply lines. These little-used valves may slowly rust in place over time, and might not work when you need them most. Keep them operating by putting a little machine oil or WD-40 on the handle shafts. Twist the handles back and forth to work the oil into the threads. If they won't budge, give the oil a couple of hours to penetrate, and try again. REPAIR BLISTERED PAINT ON SHOWER CEILINGS This area gets a lot of heat and moisture that stresses paint finishes. Scrape off old paint and re-coat, using a high-quality exterior-grade paint. Also, be sure everyone uses the bathroom vent when showering to help get rid of excess moisture. FIX LOOSE HANDLES AND HINGES You can probably fix these with a few quick turns of a screwdriver. But if a screw just spins in place, try making the hole fit the screw better by stuffing in a toothpick coated with glue, or switching to a larger screw. CLEAN EXHAUST FILTER FOR THE STOVE By washing it to remove grease, you'll increase the efficiency of your exhaust vent; plus, if a kitchen stovetop fire breaks out, this will help keep the flames from spreading. Want more? Visit HouseLogic |
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