Stories

Birds may choose a roof gutter because it offers a narrow, sheltered ledge close to food, water and nesting materials. Eaves, downpipes and roof valleys can…

Discoloured grout can make an otherwise clean bathroom look neglected. In Australian homes, the marks may come from soap residue, body oils, hard-water…

Crumbling joints can make an otherwise sound brick wall look neglected, but deteriorated mortar can also allow wind-driven rain into the masonry. Repointing…

A squeaky floorboard beneath carpet is usually caused by movement between the flooring, subfloor and timber joists. As people walk across the room, a loose…

Deer can turn a productive garden into a collection of bitten stems, flattened seedlings and ragged leaves overnight. In Australia, the problem is especially…

A toilet that keeps refilling wastes treated water and can make an irritating hiss or trickle throughout the day. The cause is usually inside the cistern: a…

A clothes dryer removes a surprising amount of moisture, fabric fibre and lint from every load. Much of that material stays in the lint filter, but some…

A sagging garage door may look like a minor alignment problem, but the cause is often a tired counterbalance spring, a stretched cable, worn rollers or a…

Small holes in drywall are common results of moved pictures, removed wall anchors, door handles, and minor household accidents. Fortunately, most openings can…

A bathroom sink that drains slowly usually has a small, manageable obstruction rather than a serious plumbing failure. Hair, toothpaste, soap residue, shaving…