Quick Fixes

Image Gallery To lube lock: color the fitting key with lead from a pencil. Then stick key in lock and move back and forth.

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COUNTRY SKILLS

Al Carrell

20 of the all-time best hints for making household repairs.

Editor's Note: There are no more excuses. You've been putting off that minor repair project around the house for months now, even though it's making the whole family crazy. Either you're not sure how to fix it, you fear you'll have to call in a money-sucking professional, or you've simply been too involved with the outdoor thrills of summer and fall to be bothered.

But now it's winter and you're trapped indoors, so you may as well repair the door that keeps slamming or adjust the window shade that won't snap back up. To help you along, we have compiled over a dozen quick solutions to the most common — and most irritating — household problems, based on the extensive home-repair experience of "Super Handyman" Al Carrell.

Doors

An Easy Way to Sand

If a door is dragging on the floor or threshold — making scraping sounds — place sandpaper on top of a stack of magazines and position the pile under the door. (Use enough magazines so that the door hits the sandpaper.) Then work the door back and forth over the abrasive.

Dripless Lube Job

Use petroleum jelly instead of oil on door hinges. That way you don't have to worry about oil dripping on the carpet.

Lube Locks the "Write" Way

First, transfer graphite from a soft lead pencil to a key by rubbing the pencil over the key as if you were coloring it. Then put the key in the lock and move it in and out several times. Also turn the key back and forth. Your lock will love it.

Stubborn Hinge Pin

To remove a hinge pin from a door, insert a nail into the hole at the bottom of the barrel and then drive the pin upward.

No More Slam

To cut down on slamming noise, put tabs of leftover peel-and-stick foam weather stripping at several spots all around the doorstop. You can also place a wide rubber band around the doorknobs on both sides of the door. The part that stretches around the edge will cushion the slamming noise. (Be sure the rubber band doesn't touch the striker.)

Here's a tip for fresh-air fiends who enjoy leaving their door open in all seasons: Stop the wind from blowing your door open and shut by installing a screen door hook-and-eye to hold it open.

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