Easy and Quick Tips for Odd Jobs Around the House

Need to get some work done around the house? Here are some of the handiest little tips for making those little odd jobs around the house a little easier. These tips include ways for shoveling snow easier to tips for finding a stud in a wall easier when you don't have access to a stud finder. Use these tips and get the job done easier and faster.

Make sure the surface is silky smooth

Whenever a job calls for sandpapering, to make sure that there is no rough spots left on the surface is to simply place a pair of old pantyhose over your hand and run it over the freshly sandpapered surface. The pantyhose will find any rough spots that have been left behind. A great way for making the sandpaper last longer is to flip it over and put some duct tape on the back. This will make the sandpaper more sturdy and will last longer.

The easiest way to shovel snow

To make your job of shoveling snow a little bit easier, try wiping of the shovel with some saved butter wrapping. This will ensure that the shovel blade will be slick and the snow will just slide off with ease.

Help with loosening a rusty nut or bolt

If you are having a problem with a rusty nut or bolt, all you need to do to help loosen it is to place a few drops of hydrogen peroxide or ammonia on it and let it sit for about 30 minutes. You could also use cola to help loosen the rusty bolt or nut.

Two clever ways to find a stud without the use of a stud finder

If you need to find a stud in a wall and find yourself without a stud finder you can use a compass to do the job. Hold the compass level with the floor and at a right angle to the wall. Make sure that you slowly move the compass along the surface of the wall, and when you see the needle move, that's where the stud will be found. Another great method is to use an electric shaver. All you need to do is run the shaver along the wall and when the tone or the razor changes, that where you will find the stud.

When you're caught without a ruler

When you are working on a project and you need a ruler for taking measurements and there isn't a ruler in sight, all you need to do is reach for your wallet instead. A handy thing to remember is a dollar bill is 6 inches long and almost 3 inches wide.

Prevent cracking your plaster walls while hammering in nails

An easy way to help prevent your plaster wall from cracking when you need to hang a picture by hammering in a nail is to try placing a small strip of tape on the spot you are to place the nail. If you have a small nail you need to hammer in the wall, use a small comb to hold the nail so you won't accidently hit your fingers.

How to fix a thin crack in plaster

If you need to repair a thin crack in plaster, the best way is to use the tip of a can opener to help widen the crack to at least 1/8^th of an inch and then make sure to blow out any dust and old paint left behind with a hair dryer. Next you will dampen the crack with a sponge, and then fill in the crack with some patching plaster.

Sources: 5001 Handyman Secrets