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Fix it Excess moisture in the air can cause doors to swell, but it doesn’t mean replacing yours
Your DIY toolkit Ozito 300W multifunction tool, $89, I/N: 6290554
Cyclone ‘Tufflite’ 5mm prepacked insect screen spline, $6.98/6.5m, I/N: 4110376
Porter ’s Paints River Stone
Selleys ‘No Mould’ silicone sealant in White, $15.99/290ml, I/N: 0147104
tool to clean out the old bits, then vacuum away the debris. For new grout, you can use a ready-mixed or powdered version: just mix the powder with water, following the instructions on the packaging, and use a grout float to work it into the joints. Leave it for about 20 minutes until it starts to dry, then sponge clean the tiled surface. Brush up “Touching up chipped or damaged paintwork is easier than most people think,” says Romy Nayagam, Dulux brand manager. If the precise colour is lost in the bunnings.com.au |
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mists of time, don’t despair. “Shave or cut off a small sample of the damaged paint and take it into Bunnings for a colour match,” adds Romy. Try for a piece that is at least the size of a 50 cent coin for best results. Smooth out any rough edges with sandpaper, repair any dings or chips with a filler such as Spakfilla, allow to dry and sand smooth. Use an appropriate paint for the zone: an exterior paint for outdoors, a hard-wearing enamel for trims, and, for interior walls, a washable paint such as Taubmans Endure or Dulux Wash&Wear, so any marks can be wiped straight off. ◆
Gyprock DIY rapid repair kit, $27.71/ 1.5kg, I/N: 0730662
Cyclone 1220mm fibreglass insect screening, $13.30/2.05m, I/N: 4110411
Permastik fly screen repair patches, $4.50/pack of 3, I/N: 3961348
QEP ‘Home Pro’ grout float, $15, I/N: 6659942
Selleys ‘Light Speed’ caulking gun, $20.75, I/N: 1230019
Dulux ‘Precision’ stain & mould blocker primer in White, $29.80/1L, I/N: 1400859
Stanley ‘FatMax’ retractable knife with pouch, $16.98, I/N: 5760082 Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Watch it!
Fix up your flyscreens! See our guide at bunnings.com.au/replace-flyscreen-mesh
Photography Porters Paints. Paint colours may vary on application.
Mind the gap A solid timber door may swell slightly as it absorbs moisture over time, making it stick in the jamb as you open or close it. Sanding down the edge to free it up is a straightforward job you can do without taking the door off its hinges. Just find the areas where the door is coming into contact with the jamb by running a playing card along the gap, and mark these areas on the face of the door. Use a utility knife to shave off a sliver of paint for matching later (see “Brush up”, below), then hold the door half-open using two door wedges, one on either side. Use a rasp file to trim 2-3mm from the edge of the door at the places where it’s sticking, then sand it smooth with a sanding block and repaint.