Archive for the ‘Furniture’ Category
Stuck? We'll help get it unstuck!
There might be nothing quite as frustrating as trying to open a drawer, only to force it out through a good ten seconds of struggle. If you're sick of trying to pry open a sticky drawer, or having it fly out at you once you've pried it loose, it's time to get in there and fix it for the long term. There's a good chance that the drawer in question is a wooden one, so let's figure out how to work with a wooden drawer.
Why don't metal and plastic drawers stick? Easy: they are made of moving parts meant to slide. If they do end up sticking, usually some metal lubricant or a Teflon lubricant for the plastic should be able to get things slide again.
When it comes to your wooden drawer, the task isn't so simple. Some wood drawers are made with sliding mechanisms, and others are simply put into place, assuming they will slide because they're made of wood. The first thing you'll need to do is get in there and try and figure out exactly what's causing the drawer to stick. This might be a problem unique to wood - for example, wood can swell and expand, causing it to be trickier to open up.
Check your drawer for anything that seems out of the ordinary - especially as compared to the other functioning drawers. If everything seems to be in place, you might simply need to use a lubricant. On wood, soap and beeswax will function fine as lubricants, but make sure to apply them generously and to as many areas as you can reach. If you miss one key area, it might leave the drawer still sticky even though you've applied a lubricant.
Other problems like loose nails can be causing the obstruction. If your drawer opens partially but suddenly stops, there's a good chance that something hard like a nail is getting in the way. Other hard obstructions in the sliding mechanism might be the cause, as well. If you can, try to remove the nearby drawers so that you'll have better access to the sticky drawer. This should give you the ability to have a closer look at the inner workings of your drawer, which is where you might be better able to make a diagnosis.
A sticky drawer can be caused by one obstruction, but the problem can also be a little more difficult to ascertain. Try to stick with it until you find the problem, and you should have a much better idea where to go from there.
Photo Credits: kcolwell
Originally posted 2009-08-27 03:46:32.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 31, 2010 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix
Lopsided chair?
There's nothing quite so frustrating as sitting down and trying to do work, only to realize that your chair seems to be on a swivel. This is usually the case for wooden chairs, which often are broken apart because of poor glue, worn-down legs, and other strange causes. If you want to know how to fix an uneven chair, it's time to bring out some basic tools: glue, sandpaper, and a wood clamp. Let's fix that uneven chair.
First, you'll have to see exactly what it is that needs fixing. Where in the structure of the chair does the problem seem to be coming from? Is the chair so old that the entire frame leans one way, or can you simply wear down the other legs to make it even? The way you fix the chair will depend on your problem, so take a few minutes to really diagnose what's going on. If you need to, push the chair around and see where the swivel is coming from. You should be able to spot it pretty quickly.
Now that you know what your problem is, you'll have to ask yourself how to make it even again. If the structure of the chair itself has the problem, then you might want to see if you can take it apart and put it back together again. This is how many around-the-house items are fixed, so don't worry if you think you'll never see the chair back in its original condition. If you're able to take apart the chair, you should have better insight into why exactly it seems to be on a swivel.
If the problem is with the leg height itself, you can use something to prop the chair up as an unattractive temporary fix. But if you plan on keeping the chair for the long haul, you'll want to get all of the legs even. You can wear down the bottom edges of each chair leg with sandpaper or even steel wool. Be sure to check the chair repeatedly to see how even you're getting it. You can also use a saw to cut the other legs down to size, so make sure you bring the chair outside or in your garage so you can collect and brush away any sawdust.
If your chair repair required the use of glue to re-set the chair's structure, you'll need to keep the chair drying overnight. If you have work to do and need that chair, see if there's a temporary solution you can set up before fixing the chair itself. But be careful - you don't want it falling apart on you!
Photo Credits: WayTru
Originally posted 2009-08-13 03:43:10.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 25, 2010 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix
Wicker Chair
One sure way of keeping your wicker furniture in good shape is to clean it from time to time. This will keep moisture from developing. If you have wicker furniture that needs some amount of repair, you can easily repair it yourself. Here’s how you do it…
Usually, people use wicker furniture in their patios. This introduces problems such as harsh and continuous daily sunlight, severe rain and extreme changes in temperature which could jointly affect the wicker. This is why you need to exercise great caution when taking in wicker furniture and clean it regularly to prolong its life.
Despite the best care you take, ultimately all wicker furniture needs repairs. By first examining the damage to your furniture, you can decide how to go about repairing it. If it’s just a basic problem of some loose fiber strands giving you a rough edge, all you need to do is to rub sandpaper over it very lightly. Finish with a coat of varnish or lacquer, if you prefer.
However, if the damage to your furniture extends to cracks caused due to overexposure to dryness, moisten your wicker furniture by rubbing linseed oil on it. Cover the entire area of the chair with this oil and make sure that the oil enters the cracks and weave. Leave it for a day or more to make sure that the wicker fully absorbs the oil. You could add a little more oil to see if it will absorb anymore or not. If it doesn’t but runs off down the legs of the furniture, wipe it away and allow the chair to dry completely.
If your wicker furniture’s weave shifts or is matted with age or by using in the sun, it needs to be wetted before reusing. When wet, wicker retains the shape it dries in. You do this by wetting the part of the furniture that is in need of repairs and adjust the weave on the strand at one time. Then, allow it to dry on its own and get its proper and natural shape. Being resilient, your wicker furniture will return to its original form.
If you want to repair the underside of your wicker chair, weave the new strand in and make sure that you follow the pattern from the original wicker chair. Pull he wicker as tightly as possible as you go along. When you finish, trim the new strand so it fits well and make sure that the ends of the new one abut the old one. Next, apply glue between the ends and clamp the ends with a spring clamp to give it an extra strong hold even as the glue dries.
If you want to replace a strand or part of your furniture, make sure that you already have a sample weave of the final weave as a guide. You can follow this to get the right pattern of weave. However, if one section of your furniture calls for a lot of effort, you might consider it better to hand it over to your local furniture shop.
Photo Credits: René Ehrhardt
Originally posted 2010-04-21 03:03:20.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 22, 2010 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix
We can help fix that beloved wicker chair.
Wicker furniture can be great for use around the home or even outdoors - there's nothing that really lends that "at home" feeling than a wicker chair. After all, you don't exactly see a lot of wicker chairs around the office. If your wicker chair is broken, however, you don't want to lose what might be one in a set. That's why it will be important to understand how to fix a wicker chair when the need arises.
First, be aware of what can cause wicker chair damage in the first place. Having your wicker chairs outside is fine, but remember that rain and wind damage might not always be very generous to the chair. Some amount of humidity is actually good for wicker, helping prevent the wicker from drying out. But if there's a storm, you might want to take your wicker indoors. Don't be too concerned about leaving wicker furniture out when there's a high-pressure system moving through.
As with many things, the first stage to understanding wicker chair maintenance isn't repair, it's prevention. It will be good to occasionally dust your wicker chair, and even wiping it down with a damp cloth from time to time can help. Just make sure not to sit in your wicker chair when it's wet, such as after a rain: the moisture and the weight can cause the wicker to dry out in a new mold. Needless to say, that's not exactly what you want.
Being able to repair your wicker chair will probably depend on the amount (and type) of damage that's been done to it. For example, if it is too moist because of a rain and someone sat on it, leaving it looking warped, you might actually want to see if you can re-moisten the wicker and re-set it, allowing it to dry in a condition close to its original setting. The problems that can come as a result of wet wicker give you an extra reason to avoid letting it sit out in the rain, so try to keep your wicker furniture set where water can't get to it. Remember: moderate amounts of humidity should be fine, but spraying water on your wicker isn't a good idea.
If your wicker chair is still warped after your attempts in fixing it, you might simply have to replace it. If you have a lot of wicker furniture in your set, you can either live with the loss or try to find the manufacturer and see if you can order its replacement.
Photo Credits: Lucius Beebe Memorial Library
Originally posted 2009-08-28 03:50:11.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 20, 2010 in
Chair, Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix
The best kind of fix: prevention!
Many of home furniture problems can be solved before they happen, with a little something known as "prevention." The home improvement industry places a lot of emphasis on fixing things, but when you know how to prevent something from breaking down, you are essentially "fixing it before it breaks." In this article, we'll explore some popular ways you can keep your furniture protected and out of harm's way. After all, a well-maintained piece of furniture can often be better than a formerly broken one.
Understanding Moisture
Moisture is frequently a problem with furniture - whether you're talking about wicker chairs and tables, leather, or plain old wood, too much moisture can definitely wreak a lot of havoc. Even in very humid environments where there's condensation, wood furniture can be exposed to the possibility of swelling. So how do you prevent this?
Some pieces of furniture can stand to avoid total dryness, too. Remember that some moisture in the air might be good for your furniture, even if too much can cause it to warp. You don't want to micromanage your furniture based on the humidity level each day, but try to keep in mind that if it's too humid or if it's raining outdoors, you should probably move the outdoor furniture inside.
Understanding Sunlight
Now that we've addressed the problems rain can pose to your furniture, it's important to remember that sunshine can also cause problems. At least, too much sunshine. You wouldn't leave yourself out in the sun for an extended period of time without some shade or protection - you'd get a sunburn. Although wood isn't comparable to a human being, it's important to remember that sunlight over time can dry out and damage wood.
Sunshine is easy to protect against - dragging a tarp or large cloth over your furniture on a scorching hot summer day wouldn't be a bad idea. Even keeping your wood in the shade, such as on a porch, can protect against the sun.
Wood and Furniture Maintenance
It's important to regularly dust and clean your furniture, whether you have wicker, leather, wood, or a combination. Keeping your wood free of too much moisture and debris will help keep it clear and strong. To get a lot of life out of your wood, try not to expose it to too much water or sunshine.
Photo Credits: `Nicolas - designer
Originally posted 2009-08-21 03:58:38.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 16, 2010 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix
Shine Your Pine.
Furniture is often made from pine wood, which is a soft wood that can deteriorate over time. Even if the pine furniture you own was once shiny and new, it might not take very long for it to lose that luster. If you want that fresh pine look back, however, it may be as simple as following a few steps. Here's how you can fix the pine that won't shine in
your house.
As is often the first step when attempting a repair, you're going to want to clean your pine out first. It may seem unnecessary, but dust and debris can often get in the way of cosmetic home repairs. After all, you won't want to paint over a pebble, would you? That's why you'll want to make sure that your pine is clean and hopefully clear of debris before you get started.
The key to restoring the "shine" to pine is in the solution you'll be applying next. This will probably require a trip to the store, so make sure you have your list ahead of time:
- Soft soap (1/4 cup)
- Mineral oil (1 cup)
- Pine oil (1 tablespoon)
You're also going to want to make sure you have a cup of warm water handy. To mix up this solution, start with the mineral oil and pine oil first. Once they're mixed together, stir in the soft soap and the water. (By the way, if you're curious about what soft soap means, a liquid soap will do just fine).
Now that you have your solution ready, put some of it onto a cloth - you don't want to use it all up right away. Generously apply the mixture via the cloth onto the pine wood, but make sure that none of it drips or coalesces, as this is too much. In fact, once you're done, you can take a dry cloth and pick up extra solution that you applied.
It will be important to make sure that your solution doesn't only touch the surface of the wood, but seeps in as much as it can. You can't control this; you can only make sure to apply an even amount of the mixture onto your pine wood. Let it dry out and take a look at the pine later so that you can evaluate how well the solution worked.
It might be possible to fine pine solutions pre-made for you at a hardware store or other outlet. Before you go shopping, try to call around and see if a store has some stocked so that you can pick one up.
Photo Credits: Nature form furniture
Originally posted 2009-08-31 03:53:30.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on July 29, 2010 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix
Cabinet Paint Chips
Having uniform cabinets in your kitchen is important - any home decorator knows that an inconsistency in the color of your cabinets can upset the balance of the entire ensemble. This doesn't just mean that your cabinets should match, it means that they should be consistently colored a certain way, often a stained wood. But if all of your cabinets are painted white, it will be immediately noticeable if your paint has chipped in one spot. Don't worry; it's an easy fix.
If the chip is superficial, your only concern should really be finding the right color of paint to touch it up with. Many hardware and home improvement stores should feature touch-up paints. It would be very helpful if you knew the manufacturer and color of the paint itself so that you can simply apply more of the same and cover the paint chip. This will promote an overall consistency that you should be striving for.
There are other types of paint damage on your cabinets, however. For example, if one area of the paint has seen its color change (for example, because it stands over the area where you usually cook), then you'll have to do much more painting in order to restore a uniform color. The wider the discoloration, the more painting you can expect to do.
What confuses many people is the deeper chip - a chip that not only digs into the paint but the wood of the cabinet itself. For this job, you'll need a few more tools, such as sandpaper, wood filler, an evening trowel, primer, and the paint itself. First, clear out the area of the chip and clean it up - sometimes it even helps to wash it. You want as little debris as possible so that you can fill it completely.
Use the wood filler next - give yourself a little extra so that you can perfectly even it out using a trowel. Wait for the filler to dry, and then sand down the area - this will help the primer and paint stick and will also even everything out. Once you've sanded, make sure all of the degree is clear, and then apply the primer. Allow the primer to dry and then apply the properly colored paint to the area. Voila!
You might want to note that primer may not be necessary depending on the size of a chip. If you're still in doubt, be sure to ask your local hardware store.
Photo Credits: penny (peninah)
Originally posted 2009-08-19 03:13:20.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 11, 2010 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix, paint
Rusty and crusty? No problem!
For the beginning handy-man, it's pretty obvious that none of us were born knowing how to fix devices like lamp posts. But if you have a lamp post on your property that's been gathering rust for who knows how long, it might be time to take out the equipment and set to work. Which equipment will you want to bring out? Start with steel wool (or a wire brush), a rust inhibitor, metallic paint, a high-speed rotary (see details below), and safety glasses or goggles. It's time to finally fix that rusty lamp post.
Use your steel wool/wire brush (you can use both if you want to) to scrape away any debris or dust that won't be part of this job. You'll be working with the lamp post and its rust - before you try anything else, you're going to want to make sure all other debris is removed. Getting debris in the way can lead to a poor paint job once it's all done; the goal here is consistency.
A high-speed rotary with a #500 aluminum oxide grinding wheel will be important for removing the hardest rust. You can't exactly expect to scrape the rust away. Make sure you wear safety goggles, no matter how brave you're feeling.
Once you've scraped the rust down to size, apply a rust inhibitor so that the areas you've exposed won't begin to rust over themselves. This might not seem totally necessary, but it will help fix your lamp post for the long-term. After all, who wants to keep revisiting the same post year after year? Ask your hardware store for rust inhibitor. Apply it generously to the bare surface and joints of your lamp post.
After applying the inhibitor, it's time to put on the metallic paint. This will probably come in the form of a spray, since your lamp post will probably have hard-to-reach joints that you'll simply want to coat quickly. Try to get a color that matches your lamp post's color for the sake of uniformity. If this isn't possible, you might simply try applying another coat of paint - which is another article entirely!
It's easier than you think to fix what seems "unfixable," such as a rusty lamp post. You simply need the right knowledge and the right equipment. Don't be afraid to experiment - after all, the skill might come in handy some day.
Photo Credits: gingher
Originally posted 2009-08-26 03:41:55.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 10, 2010 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix, light fixtures
Loose Spindles.
When your wood furniture is loose and your wooden dowel seems to move around too generously, you know that it's time to tighten up the loose ends and make sure that your furniture spindle won't suddenly go flying off in the right direction. Luckily, wooden chairs and tables that have been put together with dowels and spindles are actually very easy to repair: that is, if you know what you're doing. By the time you're done reading this article, you will.
The first thing you'll need to do - and this is the case in many around-the-home repairs - is actually to take your furniture apart. Don't worry; this is the point. If you don't take the spindle out of the dowel socket and retreat it, you wouldn't be able to fix much. Remove the spindle from the furniture socket and take a look at the edge. In all likelihood, the point of the spindle has seen its glue worn off, which explains why it has become loose. It's time to use a tool to remove the glue that remains. If you have a power drill, you should be able to use a grater-like tool in order to do this. Failing that, try some sandpaper.
Now that the wood is exposed, dry without the glue, and you will be able to re-treat the end of the spindle. Apply some basic glue to one side of the spindle, making sure to wrap silk thread around the entire area - don't try to puncture the glue. The thread will help expand the radius of the spindle, keeping it tight once the glue sets.
Once the spindle is ready, apply some more to the tip, and then on the inside of the socket. Slide the spindle into the socket, and then set the entire thing aside (with a clamp if you have one) so that it can dry - usually, you'll want to let wood set overnight. Once the glue is dry, take out the furniture and see how stable it seems. If it's still a little loose, you may need the glue to dry a bit longer. Another possibility is that there is another spindle that needs fixing.
Now that you've fixed your spindle, however, there's a good probability that the chair will feel good as new. Now if you ever come across another piece of furniture that has lost its sturdiness, you'll know just what to do with the spindle.
Photo Credits: jek in the box
Originally posted 2009-08-19 03:30:19.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on May 6, 2010 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix
Let's fix that cabinet door!
One of the primary rules of home improvement is simple: conservation. If something is broken, you'll want to fix it instead of replace it. This is true for most of your household items, whether you're talking about an old bed or a faulty cabinet door. Rather than go through the trouble to replace a broken down cabinet door, it's important to see if you can fix it first. You might be surprised how often you can.
When you're working with a cabinet door - or a door of any kind, for that matter - you'll be focusing on hinges. A door hinge essentially joins two structures of wood together to form the opening and closing we recognize as a door. If there is simply a problem with the wood itself, your woodworking skills will come in handy, but you won't have to worry about the hinges. If the problem in your cabinet door rests in how it actually swings, you'll be focusing on the hinges.
Take a look at the hinges first: what appears to be the problem? If there are loose screws, you can tighten them right away. Once you test-swing the door a couple of more times, you should be able to tell if this fixed the problem. Many broken hinges will continue to remain loose even after the screws are tightened. This implies a problem with the hinge itself. For example, if the screws are tightly locked into the wood, but the hinge is not tightly locked to the screws, you'll need to repair the hinge holes that the screws are attached to.
How can you do this? You can try to take out the screws and fill in the holes with glue, reinforcing them with small pieces of wood like toothpicks. This essentially helps re-build the loose area of the hinge so that you can re-insert the screws after the glue has dried. If there is still a problem, it might be with the quality of the wood itself. You might need to move the hinge up or down to a stronger area of the wood, though you may also want to consider the possibility of replacing the doors altogether.
Of course, since one of the primary rules of home improvement is to conserve, make sure you properly diagnose the real problem with your hinges by exploring the various possibilities first. If at first you don't succeed, try again.
Photo Credits: Greg_e
Originally posted 2009-08-18 03:08:24.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on April 20, 2010 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix
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