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PICK A PLANT

PICK A PLANT

STOCK THESE DIY ESSENTIALS TO FIX MINOR MISHAPS AROUND YOUR HOME

Words GUN ARVIDSSEN

Keep equipment close by when on the job. Craftright 5 pocket leather nail and tool belt, $10.60, I/N: 5820549 (all tools sold separately)

Urgent repairs inevitably crop up when you least expect them. Stay a step ahead by keeping these 10 DIY must-haves in your workshop or utility cabinet.

1Stick with it Got some timber furniture that’s developed a nasty crack? PVA timber adhesive is a reliable all-rounder, but make sure you clamp the repair until dry. It’s also a good plan to have a tube of superglue ready for making extremely strong and fast-drying repairs to broken ceramic ornaments and most plastics and metals*.

2Choose the good oil Silencing squeaky hinges, lubricating bike chains and helping release stubborn nuts and bolts aren’t the only things WD-40 is good for. Says Louisa Alexander at the WD-40 Company, “It cleans and protects metals and it drives out moisture from spark plugs, too.”

WD-40 lubricant with Smart Straw, $7.89/175g, I/N: 6100413 3Take your fill No matter how careful you are, there’s a decent chance you’ll end up with a ding or scrape somewhere if your home’s walls are lined with plasterboard. Keep premixed interior filler on hand for a quick and simple solution. It can be sanded and painted once cured. Round out your kit with flexible gap filler – vital if a crack opens where movement might occur.

Uni-Pro ‘Multi Purpose’ interior filler, $6.50/500g, I/N: 1210281

4Get the picture You never know when a piece of wall art might take your fancy, so keep a hanging kit on hand that includes everything you need to put up a picture easily. If you’re restless with your interior decor and like to change things up, use Command picture hanging strips, which can be removed without leaving a trace.

3M ‘Command’ adhesive picture hanging strips in White, $7/pack of 4 large, I/N: 3950291 5Be tool-ready A collection of reliable basic hand tools should be part of everyone’s fix-it kit – you might be surprised how often you’ll need a manual screwdriver. Keep a socket set, measuring tape, hammer, pliers and other stalwarts together in a bag or container for whenever you need to tighten a handle or tap in a nail.

6Go with the flow Using a drain snake or caustic drain-cleaning agent to clear a blocked drain is about the only plumbing job you can do yourself. With one or both of these in your fix-it kit, you’ll be able to take action if water is taking a long time to drain. Just don’t try to modify the pipework under the sink!

Drain Clean drain cleaning crystals, $6.99/500g, I/N: 4461111

7Make it secure Many screw types, lengths and gauges are available (the latter denoted by a ‘G’ number), but a useful few will help you cover a range of jobs. If fixing chipboard or soft materials to timber, Bhavya Mishra at ITW Proline (distributor of Zenith and Buildex) suggests using Zenith 8G x 30mm

A scraper is useful for removing flaky paint pre-painting, and when filling cracks in plaster. Trojan 100mm paint scraper, $8.24, I/N: 0093214

Tip: buy a few Dynabolts to store with your wall plugs for situations when you need to fasten heavier objects to a masonry wall

countersunk chipboard screws. “This will ensure a flush finish on timber cabinets, and pine-and-chipboard furniture,” says Bhavya Mishra.

For fixing into light-gauge metal sheeting – such as garage doors – choose 8G x 20mm galvanised button-head metal screws. “If you need a solution for jobs such as fastening to treated timbers, general-purpose external timber screws are an excellent option,” says Bhavya. “For these applications, use 12G x 25mm galvanised type 17 hex head timber screws.” To replace fasteners in decking, opt for 8G x 50mm countersunk stainless steel decking screws.

Zenith 8G x 20mm galvanised button head metal screws , $4.28/pack of 30, I/N: 2410084 8Mind the gap From the kitchen splashback to the shower recess, there are many gaps around the home that might need mouldy silicone replaced. For convenience, choose a 100ml tube such as Selleys No Mould silicone sealant. Emily Melinz, from Selleys, says, “The easy-to-use tube is great for smaller jobs or when you don’t want to use a caulking gun.”

9Weigh it up

Whether it’s a new shelf or a curtain-rod bracket, you’re likely to need to firmly secure something to the wall. In masonry walls, ordinary wall plugs will usually do the trick – redcoded plugs can be used with those 8G x 30mm chipboard screws in your kit. If your walls are plasterboard, use spring toggles or plasterboard or hollow wall anchors.

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10Tape that Solve countless emergencies with heavyduty cloth tape that has strong adhesive, making it suitable for myriad uses. For low-pressure leaks, choose a quick-fix option such as Selleys Storm waterproof tape. “This is a simple solution for patching emergency leaks in and around the home, such as a leaky gutter or downpipe,” says Emily. “It lasts at least 48 hours and even works in the wet and rain, so you can avoid more water damage in a downpour and give yourself time to organise a tradie,” she explains.

Selleys ‘Storm’ 75mm waterproof tape in Clear with 4 x 75mm patches, $18.98/1m, I/N: 0328981

Ramset ‘WallMate’

plasterboard anchors

with screws, $6.30/pack of 4, I/N: 2268159. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

Keep in mind...

n When using adhesive or drain cleaner, wear eye protection, a mask and gloves, and use adhesive in a well-ventilated area. Keep these products and all chemicals out of reach of children and pets. n When hanging objects, use suitable fasteners for your type of wall and for the weight of the piece. Before drilling into walls, use a stud finder to check for wiring or pipework, and turn off the power before working. If unsure, call a professional. n Any plumbing or electrical works must be carried out by a licensed tradie.

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