How to Repair

Ready to try DIY repairing? You already know that when something in your house breaks, it's on you to find a professional repairmen (which is often expensive and may include extra time to wait for availability). Here at Hometalk we will help you with the tools, tips, and techniques you need to get you on your way to DIY repair success.

What do you want to repair?

Top DIY Repair Projects

We've gathered the top DIY repair projects on Hometalk. Check them out!

How to Get Rid of Black Mold in Your Shower Caulking

If you don't want to take the time and the expense to remove and replace your shower or bathtub caulking that is currently moldy, then this is a great way to remove the mold and mold stains that is very affordable and easy! Plus, it works amazing!

Katelyn Fagan

HOW TO FIX SAGGING COUCH CUSHIONS WITHOUT BATTING + VIDEO

Sharing a hack to fix sagging couch cushions- it’s like Botox for cushions.I have a couch cushion hack today that does not involve batting. ** Update I added a video link below at the end of the post.

Everyday Edits

DIY Bucket A/C

Upcycle a cooler into a DIY A/C.Please take a minute to click here to sign up for the Mother Daughter Projects weekly newsletter. You'll get notification about our new projects and what is up and coming.Like us, you've probably had this project pinned for some time. Anyone who has ever worked in a hot garage, in summer, in Florida knows that even a tiny hint of cold air is welcome relief! I wanted to try the project but didn't want to go to the expense and effort of ordering the needed styrofoam bucket liner that the project required. I was on the lookout for something that would eliminate the need for the liner. As luck would have it, I found this insulated vertical drink cooler that would be perfect for only $2 at a yard sale. I already had the needed plastic tubing, fan, and hole saw cutter so the expense for this project was minimal!

Mother Daughter Projects

DIY Upholstered Bed

Have you ever eyed something for so long, and then you finally bite the bullet, take the plunge and go to buy it only to find the lead time is 10 WEEKS! Yes? Well, that was me, I had eyed the Alrai bed from Wayfair for SO LONG, however once I went onto the site to purchase it I found there was a 10 week lead time. Truthfully, I don’t have that kind of patience and I really didn’t have that kind of time because I had just sold our bed frame. If you follow me on Instagram then you know this haha @schoolsidedesign.So… naturally I decided to make my own version of this bed, and man I am so happy I did as the overall size fits our space perfectly and its taller than the Alrai bed, which fits our space so much better.Here is the bed that inspired this whole project, its so pretty and I have seen it in so many of my favorite bloggers homes.

Ashley

Grommet Tab Curtain Fix

I finally gave in and purchased grommet top curtains for my living room a while back but was constantly adjusting them as they ended up squished or unevenly spaced on the rod. I am not a perfectionist but when I spend money on something I want it to look nice and curtains that wouldn't stay put drove me nuts!

While I Linger

DIY Vent Extender For Furniture

Why are all the heat and air vents in the exact place you want to arrange your furniture? There are vent extenders available for purchase but we needed two and $40.00 seemed like a lot for something hidden beneath the furniture. So here's what we did.I'm going to show you how to make a DIY Vent Extender For Furniture for only $2.00. It's a safe and practical alternative to spending $20.00.

Rachel The Ponds Farmhouse

How to Make a DIY Air Vent Cover

Air vent covers aren’t built for looks. At least the builder-basic ones aren’t.We had a standard white cover on our air exchange vent in the basement.When the wall was white and it was mostly used for storage, I didn’t notice or care very much:

Brianna at Bloom in the Black

Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

This is the coolest trick to unclog a toilet. It's so much cleaner than using a plunger. I can’t promise it will work every time for you, but it worked every time I tried it. All you need is dish soap and hot water.

Shawna Bailey

We Used an Old Shower Curtain to Recover These Old Chairs!!

We love to repurpose items we found on the curve! We found this old set buy a dumpster. It was kind of a mess and needed paint and material. We are on a tight budget. About the shower curtain pictures about five years ago. It was in my daughter's bathroom and had a few stains on it. However I love the material. When we went to redo the material on the new chairs repainted my husband had a lightbulb moment. We wash the shower curtain really good cut it in the areas that had no stains and it came out amazing. We even used a clear shower curtain liner to cover the material.

Beth and Spencer Teller

Update Your Light Switch Plates With This Simple Paint Pour Project

Looking for a fun way to personalize your home? This paint pour project is the perfect solution if you’re feeling crafty but don’t want to commit to a long, arduous project. These custom light switch plates are sure to brighten your home. In this tutorial I’ll show you two different color schemes, one that is bright and loud, and another that is more subdued but no less stunning. An added bonus to this project is that you can get two projects in one, by making a paint pour canvas at the same time. Intrigued? Check out my step-by-step guide below to make your own!

Marcy Ferro

How to Get Rid of Black Mold in Your Shower Caulking

Katelyn Fagan

HOW TO FIX SAGGING COUCH CUSHIONS WITHOUT BATTING + VIDEO

Everyday Edits

DIY Bucket A/C

Mother Daughter Projects

DIY Upholstered Bed

Ashley

Grommet Tab Curtain Fix

While I Linger

DIY Vent Extender For Furniture

Rachel The Ponds Farmhouse

How to Make a DIY Air Vent Cover

Brianna at Bloom in the Black

Unclog a Toilet Without a Plunger

Shawna Bailey

We Used an Old Shower Curtain to Recover These Old Chairs!!

Beth and Spencer Teller

Update Your Light Switch Plates With This Simple Paint Pour Project

Marcy Ferro

We are excited to share our DIY repair slideshows with you. Take notes!

Repair Videos

Watch our video tutorials on how to repair it all, from appliances to leaky faucets.

Farmhouse Barstool Cushions

04/07/2020 08:00 pm

Kara S.

$12 Door Makeover

Mitch Couch

Damaged Furniture Flip

Recreated Designs

Seal Your Garage Door

Lia with Southern Yankee DIY

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Repairing Projects

We've collected the best DIY repair projects for you right here. Prepare to be wowed.

How To Strip Furniture Without Stripper

Stripping wood furniture is not a fun job, but this process makes it so easy! I am showing you how to strip furniture without stripper!I have done so many furniture projects and DIY projects throughout the years and there are definitely projects I love to do and some I never look forward to. Stripping furniture is one of the “never look forward to” projects. I don’t like it at all. It is messy. It is time-consuming. It is A LOT of work. None of that is fun to I won’t pick up pieces that need it.Until now.I have just tried a new process that may have changed my mind completely. I am going to share how to strip furniture without stripper.

Lindsay Eidahl

How to Restore Damaged Cabinets

Cheryl Phan

Broken Patio Chair Rescue!!

After a long winter, the snow finally melted enough to assess the condition of the heavy wrought iron patio set that had remained outdoors.

Scarlett Butler

When faced with rotten wood ends and you don't need to replace the whole piece of wood, epoxy wood filler is a very

good patch. At $100./gal. it's not cheap but unlike Bondo, the material expands and contracts with the wood, never cracking around the edges. It sands very easily.

Peace Painting Co., Inc.

DIY Window Grids (Mullions)

UPDATED: I figured an easy way to make them removable. For more details, please visit http://www.therozyhome.com/blog/making-your-own-window-grids-grilles-mullions. This project is the result of a little OCD and a lot of "there still is something missing in the dining room." Luckily, the latter and the former came into perfect harmony yesterday when I had my ah ha moment. I realized that I wanted to do grids on the window. Every window on the front of the house (even the little windows) have grids. In contrast, every window on the back and side did not. At first I thought they went this route because they wanted to enjoy the view. I mean, the view is why we bought the house.

The Rozy Home

How to Repair Damaged Veneer Edging

I found this vintage pedestal table at a thrift store. There was significant damage to the scalloped veneer edging and even the cashier and the lady behind me in line thought it was hopeless. But they wished me luck all the same!

Patricia

How To Strip Furniture Without Stripper

Lindsay Eidahl

How to Restore Damaged Cabinets

Cheryl Phan

Broken Patio Chair Rescue!!

After a long winter, the snow finally melted enough to assess the condition of the heavy wrought iron patio set that had remained outdoors.

Scarlett Butler

When faced with rotten wood ends and you don't need to replace the whole piece of wood, epoxy wood filler is a very

good patch. At $100./gal. it's not cheap but unlike Bondo, the material expands and contracts with the wood, never cracking around the edges. It sands very easily.

Peace Painting Co., Inc.

DIY Window Grids (Mullions)

The Rozy Home

How to Repair Damaged Veneer Edging

Patricia

Popular Repairing Discussions

Check out our popular discussions happening right now on how to do DIY repairs.

How do I stop my fuzzy blanket from shedding?

Patti

I got this real nice fuzzy blanket for a gift. The only problem is there are fuzzies every where. Even after a wash and dry. I never really saw a blanket shed like this. And I know it was an expensive one. Help me get rid of the fuzzies Please.The softest blanket I've ever had!Get your hands on this cozy fuzzy blanket that Amazon reviewers swear by!

Answer

Drill only went in wall half-way

Debra Lynn Kime Venezia

I installed a curtain rod tonight. The end brackets went up just fine. I went to put up the middle support bracket, and the drill hit something very hard and would only go into the wall so far--about half what it should have. The wall anchors wouldn't go in, because they were too long for the short holes, and even the shortest wall anchors I had were too long. I tried shorter screws without wall anchors, and no matter what width screw I used, the holes were just too big, and the screws wouldn't stay in the wall. Without the middle support bracket, the curtain is going to sag really bad. Advice?Best drill bit setHandle any project you have with this drill bit set that Amazon reviewers swear by!

Answer

Bathroom walls "sweating" sticky stuff? What is it?

Cariana Cloe Szatkowski

We bought a home last year and the master bath has been beautifully remodeled, however, when you take a shower the walls are sweating. The fan is rated for the sq footage of the bathroom and it is properly working. We think that when they did a faux plastering on the walls they did not take down the old wallpaper and the sticky residue is wallpaper glue. Could that be what it is? If so, do I need to pull the wallpaper under the paint and the plaster completely off or can I just seal it when it is all dry with a good sealer/primer? HE#LP!

Answer

I want to fill in the door knob hole in a solid wood door!

Shirley R

What can I use to fill in the door knob hole in a solid wood door? I want to sand it afterwards as though the hole did not exist! Thanks ShirleyBest Wood filler!Need to fill holes? This Minwax Stainable Wood Filler is the one that Amazon reviewers swear by!

Answer

New Repair Projects

Here is our collection of new DIY repair projects at Hometalk. Check it out.

How to Get Rid of Musty Smells in a Basement for Good

By Judy SchumerGetting rid of the musty smell in your basement involves more than odor cover-up. If you spray a nice smelling air freshener, you may eliminate the problem short-term—if you don’t treat the source of the odor, it’ll come back in no time. If you’ve invested time and money turning your basement into a place you love, like a home bar or theater room, a musty smell can instantly ruin the vibe.Figuring out the cause of the musty smell is the key to getting rid of it for good. Eliminating excess moisture, mold, or mildew in your basement will not only eliminate your odor issues but will create a healthier indoor environment for you and your family.Read on to find out what things can cause your basement to smell musty, how to banish the cause of the odors and the odors themselves, and how to prevent the musty smell to begin with.

How-To Guides

How to Fix a Sagging Door That Won't Shut Properly

By Sharon BrandweinA sagging door, or a door that tilts downward, is something that most homeowners will come across at one point or another. And it may be a problem that you’ve come to live with for long enough—but by not fixing a sagging door, gravity will only keep it moving downward, eventually impeding on the door's ability to fit correctly in its frame and shut properly.There are a few reasons that doors eventually sag, which include loose door hinges or the door swelling from moisture and humidity. The good news is that these issues are fixable (to a point) without the need to call in reinforcements. In this guide, we'll help you figure out why your door might be sagging, and then we’ll show you how to fix a sagging door using multiple methods.

Sharon Brandwein

How to Remove Popcorn Ceiling (and When You Shouldn't Try It Yourself)

By Hannah TwietmeyerIf you have an old home, chances are one or more of your ceilings are what are considered popcorn ceilings, or vermiculite, acoustic, or stucco ceilings. The vintage interior design fad—a multi-material spray layered over white paint—was often used to coat ceilings and help soundproof them, or hide uneven patches and dirty areas, according to Build. The result was a thick, textured coating, often resembling the look of cottage cheese or popcorn—hence the name.The trend was popular from the 1930s to sometime around the 1990s before it fell out of fashion, says Insider. As a result, many houses that were built or remodeled during that time period feature popcorn ceilings. However, the style isn’t necessarily a coveted one in the 2020s, and traditional popcorn ceilings can pose some possible health risks during removal depending on the material they’re made with.If you have a popcorn ceiling in your home that is less than appealing, just know you aren’t stuck with it and have options. Here’s everything you need to know about popcorn ceiling removal, and what to consider before the project even starts.

Hannah Twietmeyer

How to Fix a Broken Door Frame in a Few Simple Steps

By Judy Schumer Time, heavy use, forceful entry, and exposure to the elements can cause damage to your door frame in the form of cracks and splits in the wood. The method you use to fix your door frame depends on how extensive the damage is. In some cases, you may just need some wood filler, in others, you may need to replace the entire frame.Read on to find out how to fix a broken door frame, how to replace the frame in cases where the damage is too extreme, and tips to make the job easier to complete.

Judy Schumer

How to Remove Caulk When It's Old and Dingy

By Marilyn SyartoCaulk is your best friend when it comes to sealing air and water leaks from stationary parts of your home such as tub surrounds, countertops, and parts of windows. Caulking in the right spots can also help stop mice and other rodents in their tracks and deter them from entering your home.Some caulk looks pretty and pristine while you may have done a less-than-artistic job of caulking gaps in your basement or outdoors to keep critters out. But there’ll come a day when you need to replace old, worn out, or dull caulk. Our guide gives you the basic steps for how to remove caulk with or without chemicals, indoors and outdoors, so you can replace it with fresh and more effective caulking.

Marilyn Syarto

How to Find a Stud in the Wall With and Without a Stud Finder

By Alexa EricksonHanging something up on the wall isn’t always as easy as hammering in a small nail and resting a frame on it. For heavy items, more attention to detail is required. Finding a wall stud is important for stability and safety, which we will explain why below.Keep reading for everything you need to know about how to find a stud in the wall—with and without a stud finder—to anchor the object you want to hang.