Basic maintenence

With a Bank Holiday weekend to take advantage of this month, why not decide to get to grips with those perennial little period house repairs? DIY expert Helaine Clare demonstrates some tricks of the trade.

Some jobs are so straightforward and quick to fix that I honestly don’t know why we tolerate the inconvenience for so long. But when a loose floorboard stubs your toe once too often or creaking stairs begin to drive you mad, the time is ripe to do something about it.

In my easy to follow guide, I’ve pinpointed eight everyday annoyances that can be put right so easily you’ll be amazed you didn’t do them sooner. The satisfaction and palpable sense of accomplishment that results from achieving such simple fixes may very well bestow the confidence to tackle a bigger project next time.

So if you have a door that’s a struggle to close or a window that has been painted over, now’s the time to decide that enough is enough – and buy or borrow a few tools. DIY stores display a vast range of ‘must have’ tools but you can do a substantial amount of fixing and mending with a few items: a set of screwdrivers, a claw hammer (useful for pulling nails out as well as knocking them in), a multi-purpose medium-toothed saw, steel measuring tape, spirit level, pincers, pliers, an adjustable spanner, a nail set (for driving nail heads just below the surface) and a craft knife.

Once you have a drill there’s bound to be no stopping you. Choose between corded and cordless: cordless drills are lightweight, easy to handle and comfy to hold. You won’t be reliant on electric nor encumbered by the lead. On the other hand a corded or power drill is generally more powerful and always ready to use. On the whole, the more powerful the drill the more expensive to buy. For occasional use why not share one with a friend or neighbour?

You willl need...

Spanner
Glasspaper
Screwdriver
Craft knife
Filling knife
Hammer
Screws
Drill
Wood glue
Work gloves
Dust mask
Protective goggles

	1. Fixing loose knobs and handles: Some knobs are screwed into the wood and regular use can make them work loose and enlarge the hole. Push woodfiller into the hole or tap in a piece of matchstick or dowel dipped in wood glue. Metal handles often have a small rod that goes through the wood, secured with a nut. Tighten with a spanner.
	2. Improving an awkward drawer: Check nothing has fallen out and become lodged down the back of the drawer. The runners (strips of wood inside the carcass that the drawers slide on) or the undersides of the drawer can become rough. Check nails are not protruding, then smooth with abrasive paper and rub a candle stub along surfaces.
	3. Making a door open smoothly: Doors that require brute force to open or close need fixing sooner rather than later to prevent joints from weakening or the handle shearing off. With the door open check a stone hasn’t got jammed against the frame. Inspect hinges and tighten screws. Lubricate with a few drops of oil to ease movement.
	4. Easing a 'binding' door: Wet weather can cause wood to swell and doors to ‘bind’ or stick. Painted doors are better protected, but natural wood can be varnished or oiled for weatherproofing. Identify a swollen area by rubbing a wax crayon along the edge of the door and opening a few times. Use coarse glasspaper to smooth areas.
	5. Opening a stuck sash window: When painting a sash window, move it regularly while the paint dries to prevent it sticking. If the sash is stuck, score the edges with a craft knife, then work a filling knife between the sash and the beads – you may need to ease it from both sides. Grasp the meeting rail and shake the sash to break the paint seal.
	6. Remedying a failed fixing: This masonry fixing failed because the hole and plug were too big for the screw, so always match the size of the drill bit, wall plug and screw. Ensure the hole is deep enough too – if your drill doesn’t have a depth gauge, put a piece of masking tape on to the bit to mark the length of the plug, plus 6mm.
	7. Securing a loose floorboard: Over time the flexing of the boards can loosen nails so try driving them in deeper with a nail set. If the board is bowed use stainless steel screws instead of nails and cover the heads with woodfiller; moistening the wood will make it easier to screw down. Screwing is also a good way of fixing boards over cables.
	8. Silencing creaking stairs: The movement of wood causes joints to loosen and rub against each other. Try sprinkling talcum powder into the joint of the problem step. If the friction persists, strengthen the joints. Glue blocks will be fitted between the tread and the riser: prise away the blocks, inject wood glue into the joint and refit the blocks.