Tips for home maintenance and repair

Maintenance costs can put a serious dent in your budget and savings — a dent that’s tough to repair. While there are certain things you definitely need an expert to handle, there are plenty of other situations in which you can make minor but meaningful repairs without calling for professional support, while saving serious cash.

• Closet rod fix: To fix a sagging clothes closet rod, buy a ½-inch-long galvanized pipe and a ¾-inch-long thinwall PVC piping, both the same length as the rod. You can get these at a local home improvement center. Remove the existing sagging rod. Then, slip the pipe inside the PVC to create a new rod and slide this into the existing rod brackets. If you are bothered by the printing on the PVC, clean it off with rubbing alcohol.

• Pot repair: Don’t throw out that busted terra-cotta pot; you can repair it quite easily. First, moisten the breaks with water. Then, squeeze carpenter’s glue onto the broken edges and reset the pieces. Circle the pot with strips of masking tape to hold the pieces in place. Let the bond harden; Elmer’s Glue-All is a good choice here, because once it’s dry, it’s waterproof and bonds stronger than wood.

• Paint storage: Don’t let those leftover portions of paint go to waste. Store partially full cans of paint upside down. The paint will form an airtight seal, which will extend its useful life.

• Hide furniture scratches: First, soak the scratch with a bit of water to open the wood grain. Select a crayon that is as close to the right color as possible. Apply the waxy substance to the scratch; rub it in well with a soft cloth, and then buff.

• Neat caulk: Use this trick if you have trouble getting the caulking around the tub or sink to look right: Tape the tub with blue painter’s tape, and leave about ¼ to ½ inch on either side of the joint for the caulking. Then, squeeze the new caulk and smooth it out. Remove the tape and you will have a clean line. The caulk will look great. Be sure to carefully remove the tape before caulk starts to set.

• Wallpaper remover: Plain white vinegar makes a great wallpaper remover. First, remove all of the wallpaper you can by simply pulling it off. You’ll probably get only the top layer of the paper, and that’s OK. Then, spray full-strength vinegar on what remains. This will begin to dissolve the glue. Once softened, you’ll be able to remove the rest without harsh chemicals.

Mary Hunt invites you to visit EverydayCheapskate.com. For questions and comments, visit www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” Tips can be submitted at tips.everydaycheapskate.com/. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “DebtProof Living.”