Do Try These At Home...

We all need to tackle home-maintenance jobs at some point. But we don't always have the tools or know-how. Here's a list of handy hints sent in by readers of The Family Handyman magazine.

1. When using a ladder inside, tape a pair of old running shoes over the top of each rail. The soles will grip the walls and prevent scratches and dents appearing.
2. Drilling holes in brick can be messy, so switch on the vacuum cleaner and place the nozzle under your work.
3. Need a mallet? Slip a rubber doorstep over the head of your hammer.
4. Keep a packet of disposable nappies in your toolbox. They are ideal for mopping up spills quickly - paint, oil, turpentine - in the workshop or home.
5. Avoid holding tiny nails (and hammering your fingertips!) by applying a couple of layers of masking tape to the surface you're hammering into. Press the nail into the tape to start the job.
6. To stop paint flickering onto nearby surfaces, cover those odd-shaped objects - lights, phone, doorknobs - with plastic wrap.
7. If you don't want to remove a door for painting, you can still brush the bottom edge by using a scrap of carpet as a paintbrush.