Patch a Hole in a Screen Door for Under $5 — No Replacement Needed
My dog — a 45-pound terrier mix with strong opinions about squirrels — put his paw through the screen door […]
Fix Squeaky Floors From Above Without Ripping Up Carpet
My hallway floor squeaked so reliably I could tell when my teenager was sneaking to the kitchen at midnight. It […]
Toilet Still Running After Replacing the Flapper? Try This
The plumber quoted me two hundred eighty dollars to fix a toilet that would not stop running. I had already […]
Hammer a Nail Without Bending It or Your Thumb
My dad handed me a hammer when I was twelve and watched me bend six nails in a row. He […]
Fix Low Water Pressure in Your Shower in Minutes
My morning shower had become a sad drizzle. I blamed the plumbing. I blamed the water company. I started showering […]
Fix a Hole in Drywall in 30 Minutes for Under $10
I put a chair through the wall. Not on purpose. I was moving furniture, tripped over a rug, and the […]
Install a Dishwasher Yourself and Save the Install Fee
The appliance store wanted $150 for dishwasher installation. The delivery guy said “most people just pay it.” I almost did. […]
Lubricate Your Garage Door Before the Neighbors Start Complaining
My garage door used to sound like a metal dinosaur in pain. Every open. Every close. The neighbors with the […]
Hang Curtain Rods That Stay Up and Keep Your Walls Intact
I have hung curtain rods in six different apartments. The first two attempts were disasters — holes in the wrong […]
Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger When You Are Desperate
It was Christmas Eve. Guests arriving in 45 minutes. The guest bathroom toilet clogged. No plunger anywhere in the house […]