The commonest problems with windows are the sticking of moving parts, damage caused by rot and cracked or broken glass. Where hinged casements or sliding sashes stick, the trouble may be caused by the accumulation of paint on the meeting surfaces, and it can often be cured by stripping back to bare wood and repainting. … Read more
The way clothes fit obviously depends on their style and construction, but the principles described here apply in most cases. DARTS AND SEAMS You can take in all garments by increasing the amount of fabric taken at the seams or other shaping areas such as darts, tucks, pleats or gathers. To let out garments reduce … Read more
Even if you are not a dressmaker, it is useful to be able to repair or alter your clothes. Many jobs can be done either by hand sewing or machine, and you do not need much equipment. For darning, however, you will require a darning mushroom and a darning needle. UNPICKING Mending and altering usually … Read more
An uneven wooden floor is best levelled with a floor-sanding machine, which can be hired. Ask your hire-shop for clear instructions as to how to use this. Walking about and observing the noise of bare boards will show if there are any gaps between boards and joists. Warped boards may be pulled down by driving … Read more
If a woodscrew becomes loose the best treatment is to move it to a new position, when possible. If a door hinge is pulling away it might be moved far enough for the screws to be driven again into solid wood. When this is done, the old holes should be plugged to avoid wood fibres … Read more
Gutters are intended to collect water from a roof and take it to downpipes. These may meet at funnel-shaped containers, called hoppers, and from here the water flows down to a drain. A surprising amount of other debris is washed down with the water and hoppers may become choked with nests and growing plants. Before … Read more
Cracks or splits in wood can be glued, providing the glue can be spread fully on the meeting surfaces. The glue should be the strongest obtainable if the trouble is not to recur. Avoid general-purpose glues. Buy one intended for boats and follow the directions, as these glues are strong as well as waterproof. If … Read more
Replacing a panel. Splits, breaks, dents or other damage may occur in a panelled door. A broken or badly split panel is best replaced. Panels are usually set in rebates or grooves and often finished with moulding at the edges and at muntins. Prise away the moulding where this exists by sliding a chisel beneath … Read more
Take great care to avoid damaging pipes and cables. As a precaution switch off electricity at the mains while working. Holes in the wall. In the case of plaster: 1. Break off loose plaster by tapping gently with a hammer. 2. Undercut plaster edges with a trimming knife. 3. Brush away loose plaster. 4. Soak … Read more
The electric kettle is a very useful appliance and worth looking after, since you will only realize how much you rely on it when it breaks down. A regular check takes only a matter of minutes, while the length of time it takes to boil a pan of water on a cooker compared with the … Read more
Food mixers and blenders are two of the most labour-saving appliances available for the kitchen. There is a wide range of models and your choice will be determined — apart from appearance and price — by the number of jobs the appliance can perform using the variety of attachments available with each model. Some food … Read more
Refrigerators and freezers are designed to keep perishable foods for varying lengths of time by storing them under suitable conditions and at the right temperature. The appliances work by means of a liquid refrigerant flowing through tubes which vapourizes into a gas and absorbs the heat from its surroundings — the freezing unit and refrigerator; … Read more
There are two main types of electric fire: radiant heaters which give off reflected heat from the front of the fire and convector heaters which give off convected heat from the top of the casing, supplying background heat to an area. Some heaters combine the two types, with radiant elements for instant heat and a … Read more
There are many makes and models of hair dryer on the market from which to choose; while looks and price will influence your choice of dryer there are other factors you should consider when buying. For example, it is worth enquiring about servicing both in and out of guarantee, since you may not want to … Read more
Along with the growing trend towards automatic washing machines away from twin tubs, there is an increased demand for tumble dryers. A tumble dryer is often purchased as a twin to an automatic washing machine; many manufacturers market the items as a matching pair and provide a stacking kit as an optional extra to enable … Read more