Super Powers
YOU’VE heard the phrase “You bbreak it, you buy it.” But for apartment renters, sometimes “You break it, you fix it” is the best course of action. (After all, the landlord doesn’t need to know that you wash your cat in the sink, right?) Many things that go awry in your place can be simple to repair. And if you can do it yourself, you won’t need to wait around for the super.
FIX A CLOGGED TOILET: (time: about 20 minutes)
What you need: Bucket of water, flanged (ball) plunger
1. Place the cup of the plunger over the drain, and plunge up and down rapidly while maintaining a seal around the lip of the cup.
2. Slowly pour a two-gallon bucket of water into the bowl to clear the drain. Repeat plunging, if necessary.
3. If that doesn’t work, an object might be obstructing the drain. That’s when you need a closet (or toilet) auger an might want to call your super.
CLEAR A CLOGGED SINK DRAIN: (time: about 15 minutes)
What you need: Plunger & Rag
1. Remove the drain stopper. Some stoppers lift out directly, and other turn counterclockwise. If it’s a kitchen sink, remove the strainer.
2. If you are clearing a bathroom sink. stuff a wet rag in the sink overflow opening to prevent air from breaking the suction of the plunger. The overflow is the opening located in the sink under the faucet area or opposite it. If you are clearing a double kitchen sink, remove the strainer and stuff a wet rag in the drain of the other clog free sink.
3. Place the plunger cup over the drain and run enough water to cover the lip of the cup.
4. Use the handle to move the center of the cup up and down rapidly and forcefully withouth breaking the seal of the plunger.
FREE A STUBBORN KITCHEN DRAWER: (time: About 10-15 minutes)
What you need: Soap or candle block plane
1. If the drawer doesn’t open smoothly, remove it and rub a candle or a clean white bar of soap over the top and bottom ends.
2. If that doesn’t work, the drawer might have become too big for it’s opening. Remove the drawer and run a block plane along the top edge of the sides. Don’t take off too much – remove just a bit and keep testing until the drawer moves easily.
FIX A HOLE IN DRYWALL: (time: about 15 minutes, plus drying times)
What you need: fiberglass tape, joint compound, putty knife, fine-frit sandpaper
1. Be sure that the hole is no wider than 2 inches.
2. Fill the hole with joint compound, and stretch tape across the hole.
3. Apply two or three coats of joint compound on top. Allow drying time between each layer.
4. Sand between coats.
5. Prime and paint when the final layer is dry.
If I can do it, so can you!
