How-to guides
Fix it yourself, or know when not to
Written by the people who do these jobs every week. Each guide lists the tools, the time it really takes, and the point at which it stops being a DIY job.
6 tools needed 40 minutes Easy
How to fix a door that sticks
Before you reach for a plane, check the hinges. Most sticking doors have simply dropped, and tightening one screw puts them right.
4 tools needed 30 minutes Easy
How to fix a dripping tap
Most drips are a worn washer or a tired cartridge. Here is how to tell which you have, and how to swap it in about half an hour.
5 tools needed 45 minutes Moderate
How to hang a heavy mirror without it coming down
A big mirror can weigh 25 kilos. The fixing has to suit the wall behind it, and the only way to know is to find out what that wall is made of.