There's nothing more annoying than a cabinet door in the kitchen or bathroom that won't close properly. It squeaks. It catches. Plus it makes the space look less "put together" no matter how clean it otherwise is. Ignoring a door that won't close correctly, can do damage to the hinge or door. That creates a more significant home project. But fear not, below we'll show you four simple fixes to get your cabinet door working as it should.
The tools you'll need vary, depending on what's wrong with your door. So identify the fix needed below before spending money on these items:
Sometimes the simplest solution is the right one. Cabinet doors that see a lot of use may jostle their screws loose over time. If the screws are loose, tighten them with a screwdriver. Do this sooner rather than later because allowing loose screws to remain loose will damage hinges and possibly the door over time.
If your cabinet door never closed correctly, chances are it wasn't installed correctly. But fortunately, you can fix this too by moving the hinge to a new location.
Start by unscrewing the problematic hinge. Then fill the holes with epoxy. This will harden and prevent the new screw holes from running into the old ones.
Determine where the hinge needs to be and place it there. Then mark holes with a pencil through the holes. Now, it's just a matter of drilling some new holes and screwing the hinge in.
*Pro tip* If you need to adjust the holes on the door itself, be careful not to drill all the way through.
Some hinges are adjustable. This allows the hinge to fit into a recess or self-close the door. But these hinges can get off track. The door may then lean down slightly and not close well.
In this case, you'll need to adjust the cabinet door so that it is the same distance from the cabinet at both hinges. Then make sure the door is level. Now, tighten the screws on the hinges to hold the hinge and door in that position.
When you inspect the door, you may find that the hinge is warped. You may be able to hammer it out. But more likely, you'll want to replace it with a new hinge instead. Unscrew the existing hinge and screw a new one into the existing holes.
That door works as good as new. For more simple DIY home projects that can make a huge difference in how you live in and love your home, follow our blog.
A deck adds valuable outdoor living space to your home's square footage, but to be an asset, it needs to be well-maintained. If your deck has missed a few annual cleanings or is showing popped nails, splintered boards or water damage, consider resurfacing it instead of replacing it. The money you save will be significant. Here's how:
Look for rot, termite damage, warped or weakened boards and missing screws. Fix any problems you find by replacing individual boards and railings with similar materials. Make sure everything is structurally sound and sanded smooth before moving forward with the next step.
Step two involves giving your deck a good scrubbing to remove all traces of algae, dirt, mildew or mold that may have formed. You'll need a good wire broom or brush, eye protection and waterproof gloves, because some deck wash can be damaging to skin. You'll want to protect any nearby plants as well. Cover them in plastic while washing down your deck.
Deck wash can be painted on, sprayed on with a garden hose, or applied with a pressure washer. A simple mixture of laundry detergent, bleach and warm water may be all it takes to begin bringing your deck back to life. Once applied, work the cleaning solution into the wood using your brush or broom. Rinse clean and allow the wood to dry before proceeding to the next step in resurfacing your existing deck.
Lastly, you'll need to re-stain to apply a protective coating to your freshly cleaned decking. For older wood that still shows imperfections, try using a semi-transparent stain, instead of something that's clear. This will help to hide flaws and resistant stains.
You can spray, roll or brush the stain onto the deck, or you can use a combination of techniques such as spraying the stain down, then using a brush or roller to even out puddles and to trim out around railings. Apply the stain evenly, and then add the second and third coats while the stain is still damp. This helps keep old, thirsty wood from absorbing all the stain. Once applied, you'll need to re-stain your deck every other year to keep it looking its best.
The total cost to replace your old deck can run upwards of $10,000, says ProRemodeler. Compare that with the $4,000 you might spend to replace worn boards and connectors, and you're looking at a significant savings. If your existing deck is worth repairing, that's usually the better option. But it must be structurally sound by the time the work is done. If you're unsure, call in a pro for an inspection.
Home renovations are becoming expensive, which is why many homeowners try to give it a shot themselves. While some repairs can be quite easy to do like swapping wood knobs with stainless ones, some require the service of a professional. Trying to do them yourself can put your home and life in danger. Even if you are a DIY enthusiast, some renovations are best left in the hands of professionals. Here are some home renovations that you should probably not attempt yourself:
Electrical repairs
Apart from replacing bulbs or changing a socket cover, anything more complicated is too dangerous and requires the services of a professional electrician. Electrical repairs like the wiring of a room is a no-go area because if you do not do it correctly, you can cause an electrical fire or even suffer an electrical shock. Hiring a professional electrician can be quite expensive, but when you consider what is at stake, it is the better option.
Most plumbing repairs
Although many YouTube videos show you how to carry out necessary plumbing repairs at home, it is important to note that when done wrong, it is hazardous and will incur higher expenses to fix. As a homeowner, if you don't have the essential tools, you are likely to put the wrong pipe in the wrong place. Plumbing requires the services of professional but if you want to try DIY videos, be sure it is something elementary and do not hesitate to call a professional plumber at the first sign of issues.
Roof repair
"How hard can roof repair be?" is the first question many homeowners may ask when contemplating repairing a roof shingle themselves or calling for the services of a professional. As easy as it may seem, roof repair is unsafe and can result in injury or death when you fall off the roof in the process of any restoration. Apart from the dangers involved, you can end up with a leaky roof that is expensive to fix. Your roof is off-limits, except if you are clearing off debris with a broom.
Gas appliance repairs
A regular home may have different kinds of appliances that run on gas. Your oven, clothes dryer, and water heater are just a few. When these appliances become faulty, it is advisable you call for the services of an expert rather than opening it up and trying to fix it yourself. It is simply too dangerous and could lead to gas poisoning or serious gas explosions.
DIYs frequently lead to more damages and more expensive repairs by a professional. Do the right thing and call an expert whenever you notice anything wrong in your home.
