Homeowner Guides
Plain-language guides to the small repairs we handle every week in local homes: what the problem looks like, why it happens in houses like yours, what is safe to try yourself, and what our visit involves. Questions? Call or text (626) 684-3505, Mon–Sat 8:30 AM–7 PM.
Patching old plaster walls without making them worse
Why hard cement patches fail on the soft plaster walls of San Gabriel's older and adobe-style homes, how to tell what you have, and how we repair it.
Hanging curtain rods, blinds and shelves in thick walls
How to hang curtain rods, blinds and shelves in the thick plaster walls and deep window reveals of San Gabriel's Mission Revival and adobe-style homes.
Heavy plank doors that sag, drag or will not latch
How we fix heavy plank and arched doors with iron strap hinges in San Gabriel's Mission Revival homes: sagging, dragging and latches that miss.
Slow, gurgling sink and tub drains in an older house
Why sinks and tubs in San Gabriel's older homes drain slowly or gurgle, what you can safely clear yourself, and what our minor plumbing visit involves.
Keeping vintage door hardware working
How we repair, adjust and replace old mortise locks, glass knobs and skeleton-key hardware on the heavy doors in older San Gabriel homes.
Stopping the drip on an older two-handle faucet
Why two-handle and wall-mounted faucets in older San Gabriel bathrooms drip, how we replace washers and cartridges, and when a new faucet makes more sense.
The toilet shutoff valve that will not turn
Why the little valve behind an older toilet often will not close, and how we replace seized shutoffs and supply lines before they fail.
Old wood windows that stick, rattle or slam shut
Why old wood windows in San Gabriel homes stick, rattle or will not stay open, and how we free painted-shut sashes and repair hardware.
Cabinet doors that sag, stick or will not close
How we fix sagging, sticking and loose cabinet doors in older San Gabriel kitchens, from site-built wood cabinets to later replacements.
Getting new paint to stick to old glossy trim
How to tell if trim in an older San Gabriel home has oil-based paint, and how we prep it so new paint sticks instead of peeling.
Hanging art the old way and the new way
How to use original picture rail molding in an older San Gabriel home, and how we hang gallery walls on plaster without cracking it.
New porch and outdoor lights on stucco walls
How to replace porch, garage and exterior light fixtures on stucco walls in San Gabriel homes, including weather sealing and sensors.
Video doorbells on older homes
How we install video doorbells on stucco and old wood door frames in San Gabriel, using existing doorbell wiring or battery models.
Mounting a TV on an old plaster wall
How we mount TVs on thick plaster and lath walls in older San Gabriel homes, locating studs, protecting plaster and hiding cords.
Resealing the tub and tile in an older bathroom
How we remove old caulk and reseal tubs, vintage tile and pedestal sinks in older San Gabriel bathrooms to keep water out of the walls.
Getting a thick-walled house ready for winter rain
A fall checklist for older San Gabriel homes with thick walls and deep windows: sills, doors, drains, caulking and outdoor outlets.
Keeping dishes and furniture in place during an earthquake
How to keep dishes, glassware and tall furniture in place during an earthquake in an older San Gabriel home, from cabinet latches to wall straps.
Slow kitchen drains, leaky traps and tired disposals
How we fix slow kitchen drains, leaking traps and worn-out disposals in older San Gabriel kitchens with mixed old and new plumbing.
Fixing screen doors that slam, sag or will not latch
How we repair or replace screen doors, closers, latches and security door hardware on older San Gabriel homes.
A move-in checklist for an older house
What to check and fix when you move into an older San Gabriel home, from shutoffs and smoke alarms to locks, outlets and window hardware.
See all of our handyman services.