< Previous page

Tips: You'll be more accurate if you make small starter holes even for those anchors that screw in. And, if you're not going to mount something in the same spot, it's easier to patch over anchors such as mollys than it is to remove them. Here's how: Remove the bolt or screw; tap the anchor lightly with a hammer until it's below the face of the drywall; cover with spackling; sand.

6

HANG A CEILING FAN. This is a popular upgrade and involves skills that you'll use to replace light fixtures and receptacles.

The first step, any time you're dealing with electricity: Turn off the power at the breaker box.

You must make sure a ceiling fan is anchored properly. If it's not, it can fall. If you can move the electrical box with one finger, it won't support a fan. It's best to anchor the fan directly to the ceiling joist.

This can be a time-consuming job; give yourself a couple of hours.

Assemble the fan, minus blades. Then attach the fan's ceiling bracket. Hang fan in the bracket. Connect wires -- black to black and white to white -- according to the directions. Attach blades. Fans work best if blades are at least 10 inches from the ceiling, and fans should be no lower than 7 feet from floor.

Tips: Your first electrical project is a good time to make sure the breakers are labeled clearly and correctly. (Don't assume that.) When hanging fans -- or light fixtures or dimmer switches -- make sure wires are securely fastened and avoid jamming wires into crowded boxes. If you try to force wires, you could pull them apart and create a dangerous short.

7

LEARN TO DRIVE DRYWALL SCREWS WITH A VARIABLE SPEED DRILL. You'll repair drywall nail pops that way, of course. Pull the nail, drive a screw into the stud or joist a few inches away from the nail hole. The screw head should "dimple" the surface, with the screw head just below the face of the drywall. Cover the screw head and nail hole with spackling, let dry and sand.

With screws and drywall clips, you can make larger wall repairs. U.S. Gypsum, the maker of Sheetrock brand drywall, offers a handy explainer online: Go to www.usg.com, search for repair clips, click on "Install Guide."

You use the same screw-driving skills to repair loose boards on your deck. Pull any loose nails and replace with decking screws. Be sure you use coated or galvanized screws in treated lumber.

Tips: Driving screws with a drill is like putting in golf: It's all feel. Practice on a scrap of two-by-four. Also, buy extra No. 2 Phillips screw bits. You always want a spare. You'll tear them up, especially when working on decks.

8

MASTER A CAULKING GUN.

Some say squeeze tubes are easier for do-it-yourselfers to master. We think they're wrong. A gun's trigger gives you more control.

There are some tricks. Cut the tip of the tube at an angle, but with a smaller hole than you think you might need; you can always trim the tip again if the hole needs to be larger. Break the inner seal.

Quit squeezing before you get to the end of the area you're caulking. The caulk will continue to come out. When you reach the end, lift the gun from the surface and immediately remove the tension on the push rod.

Tips: Choose the right caulk for the job. Use mildew resistant bath and kitchen caulk for tub or shower; use paintable acrylic latex for that gap between wall and baseboard. Read labels carefully. Also, when smoothing caulk with your finger, resist the temptation to overwork it. Smooth it with two passes -- because the third will make a mess.

9

SEAL STAINS BEFORE PAINTING.

Here's another lesson from Homeowner 101: You can't paint over crayon, ball point pen, grease splatters on the kitchen wall or water stains on the ceiling without the stains coming through. You must seal stains first.

There are lots of good sealers and primers these days, but one old standby is pigmented shellac. A familiar brand is B-I-N from Zinsser, and the company's Web site is a good place to learn about the wide array of specialty primers. Visit www.zinsser.com.

Tips: Remember that you can tint primers to make them easier to cover with the finish paint. Ask your paint pro. Also, some primers -- including pigmented shellac -- seal in odors, too. You'll appreciate that if you live with a smoker or a cat.

10

REPLACE THE FLAPPER BALL IN A TOILET.

Every homeowner deals with a toilet that leaks water from the tank to the bowl (and mysteriously flushes in the middle of the night). The problem is usually a bad flapper ball, the valve that opens when you press the handle to flush. The cure is easy: Buy a replacement, read the directions on the back of the package, install it.

Tips: Be sure to pay attention to proper chain length. A chain that's too short or too long can interfere with proper operation. Also, clean the opening at the bottom of the tank thoroughly before installing the new flapper ball. Grit and minerals build up and keep the ball from seating properly.

< Previous page

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.