Drill into those defects

Put some of your spare time to good use by getting down to those small fix-it and maintenance jobs around the house

WE ALL LIVE with small defects in our homes: a sticking cupboard door, a loose drawer handle, a gate that doesn’t close properly.

But with the holidays almost upon us, now is a good time to get out the toolbox and do something about the problems.

After all, the damage will just get worse and eventually cost more to fix.

If you have a flexible outdoor gas connection, check it carefully. Perhaps it’s time to call in an expert to ensure it is sound.

Hairline cracks in the plaster, inside or out, should be fixed with the appropriate epoxy sealant (water will seep into outdoor cracks causing damp). Bigger cracks could signal a bigger problem.

Ensure you don’t have coils of electrical wires anywhere – in the worstcase scenario these could start a fire. Avoid too many plugs in a multi-plug –another potential fire hazard.

Dripping taps – a no-no in this waterscarce country – can easily be fixed with new washers.

Make sure you know where your water main is.

And, if in doubt, call in the experts.